BBC Unveils First Look at Adaptation of the Most Terrifying Book About Children — "Lord of the Flies"

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What happens when kids are left alone on a deserted island without adults or rules? William Golding's novel answered that question back in 1954, and nobody liked the answer.

Now BBC has decided to remind us why Lord of the Flies is still considered the most disturbing story about childhood. The first footage from the series has already dropped: scattered chronological fragments showing everything from the kids' arrival on the island to the moment they go completely feral.

First Look

The series was shot in Malaysia. From the initial photos, it's clear the creators are going for realism. No sets: a real tropical island, sand, heat, and young actors, many of whom are standing in front of a camera for the first time.

The main characters are played by Winston Sawyers (Ralph), Lox Pratt (Jack), David McKenna (Piggy), and Ike Talbot (Simon). On screen, they still look like regular schoolboys, but anyone who's read the book knows—things are about to change.
Children in school uniforms on an island
Scene from BBC's Lord of the Flies series
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The director is Mark Munden, who helmed The Secret Garden, and the script was written by Jack Thorne, known for the series Adolescence.

William Golding's relatives (the original author) even consulted on set to make sure they captured the spirit of the source material.

There will be four episodes—one for each main character. Each bears a character's name: "Ralph," "Piggy," "Simon," and "Jack."

Why Is This Novel Called the Most Terrifying Book About Children?

Lord of the Flies was the debut of writer and future Nobel laureate William Golding.
Children in white shirts with white body paint holding wooden spears
Scene from BBC's Lord of the Flies series
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The book came out in 1954 and didn't make much of a splash at first: publishers found it "too dark and absurd." But time proved them wrong—today it's considered one of the most important stories of the 20th century.

According to the writer's official website, Golding got the idea after reading the old adventure novel The Coral Island. In that story, three boys stranded on a deserted island survive thanks to kindness, reason, and proper upbringing.

Golding decided to show that in reality, things would go the opposite way: kids wouldn't build paradise—they'd turn the island into a battleground.

He created a dystopia where a group of schoolboys, after a plane crash, find themselves without adults and gradually descend into savagery. It's a symbolic story about how the beast doesn't live in the jungle—it lives inside us.
A boy with dirty skin sits in the grass looking at the camera
Scene from BBC's Lord of the Flies series
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What the New Version Promises

The creators say their adaptation will stay as close to the book as possible. The action is once again set in the 1950s, and the series will show in detail how children's civilization gradually collapses: from trying to elect a leader and start a fire—to the first murders and loss of sanity, reports Deadline.

Other Adaptations

The novel has been adapted for the screen several times before. In 1963, Peter Brook made a black-and-white version that stayed close to the book's text. In 1990, American director Harry Hook tried to update the story by replacing British boys with American cadets, but the results were mixed.

Now BBC is creating the first TV version, and by all accounts, it'll be the most ambitious and faithful adaptation yet.

When to Expect the Premiere

The release date hasn't been announced yet, but the series has wrapped filming. It'll air on BBC One and the iPlayer streaming service, and in Australia on Stan. The premiere is coming soon, so I'd suggest rereading the novel before it drops and remembering why this story still hits so hard. Earlier, we at zoomboola.com reported that a western is being made in the John Wick universe.