Lord of the Flies: What to know about Jack Thorne's new BBC adaptation, including release date, cast and more
Here's what to know about the BBC's new Lord of the Flies adaptation, from release date to cast – including Scottish newcomer Thomas Connor.
The release date for the BBC’s upcoming Lord of the Flies adaptation has been revealed, alongside a first look trailer.
Based on the classic William Golding novel, the new four-part miniseries will officially premiere on BBC One and iPlayer weekly from Sunday, February 8. It is the first time the series has been adapted for television, and will remain faithful to the source material, with support from Golding’s family.
The series is set to be the professional acting debut of many of its cast members, including young Scottish actor Thomas Connor.
From Help director Marc Munden and the BAFTA Award-winning co-creator of Adolescence co-creator, Jack Thorne, here’s everything you need to know about the BBC’s adaptation of Lord of the Flies.
What is Lord of the Flies about?
Lord of the Flies follows schoolboys who have been stranded on an unnamed tropical island with no adults following a deadly plane crash.
The synopsis states: “In an attempt to remain civil they organise themselves, led by Ralph and supported by the group’s intellectual, Piggy. But when Jack becomes more interested in hunting and vying for leadership, he soon begins to draw other boys away from the group and, ultimately, from hope to tragedy.”
Thorne’s adaptation will delve into themes such as human nature, the loss of innocence and boyhood masculinity. Each episode will be titled after a character at the heart of the story – Ralph, Piggy, Simon, and Jack – and offer a different perspective on the group’s collective experience.
Watch the first official Lord of the Flies trailer here:
Lord of the Flies 2026 release date
The first episode of Lord of the Flies will air on BBC One at 9pm on Sunday, February 8 with new episodes to follow weekly. It will also be on BBC iPlayer from 6am that same day, with each instalment an hour long.
Here’s when each episode is likely to be released:
- Episode One: Sunday, February 8
- Episode Two: Sunday, February 15
- Episode Three: Sunday, February 22
- Episode Four: Sunday, March 1
Lord of the Flies BBC cast
The BBC’s Lord of the Flies will be the professional acting debut for many of its cast members, including young Scottish actor Thomas Connor who plays Roger.
Here is the full cast for Lord of the Flies:
- David McKenna as Piggy
- Winston Sawyers as Ralph
- Lox Pratt as Jack
- Ike Talbut as Simon
- Thomas Connor as Roger
- Noah and Cassius Flemyng as twins Sam and Eric
- Cornelius Brandreth as Maurice
- Tom Page-Turner as Bill
In addition to the castaways, there is an ensemble of more than 20 other boys who will be the island’s “big ‘uns” and “little ‘uns”.
All of the boys who appear in the series auditioned following an open casting call, led by acclaimed casting director Nina Gold, whose work also includes Game of Thrones and Baby Reindeer.
Award-winning names behind BBC’s Lord of the Flies
Lord of the Flies was written by BAFTA award winner Jack Thorne, whose most recent work includes The Hack, Adolescence, and Toxic Town. The series will see him reunite with director Marc Munden, who he worked with on 2021 Covid drama Help which starred Jodie Comer and Stephen Graham.
Original music for the series comes from celebrated musicians Cristobal Tapia de Veer, Hans Zimmer and Kara Talve.
Best known for his work on The White Lotus, composer Cristobal Tapia de Veer is behind the score, while Hans Zimmer and Kara Talve of Bleeding Fingers Music provide the main theme and additional music.
Lord of the Flies was commissioned by Lindsay Salt, Director of BBC Drama, and is a co-production with Australia’s Stan. It is an Eleven and One Shoe Films production backed by Sony Pictures Television, from producer Callum Devrell-Cameron. Executive producers include Joel Wilson and Jamie Campbell for Eleven, Jack Thorne for One Shoe Films, Marc Munden, Nawfal Faizullah for the BBC, and Cailah Scobie for Stan.
The miniseries was filmed on location in Malaysia, which executive producer Joel Wilson described as “extraordinary”.
Lord of the Flies will arrive on BBC One and iPlayer on February 8.
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