Fans of William Golding's classic novel have lavished praise on the BBC for "producing a masterpiece" with its new television adaptation of Lord of the Flies, highlighting the "absolutely impeccable acting" delivered by its young cast. The highly anticipated series, which premiered on Sunday, February 8, was adapted by Jack Thorne, co-creator of Adolescence, from Golding's seminal 1954 work.
A Harrowing Tale of Civilisation Unravelling
The story follows a group of British schoolboys who become stranded on a deserted island following a catastrophic plane crash. Left entirely to their own devices, the boys must fend for themselves and attempt to maintain some semblance of order and civilisation. The narrative takes a dark turn when one of the youngsters, Jack, portrayed by Lox Pratt, develops a savage and bloodthirsty passion for hunting, leading to the complete collapse of their fragile societal structure.
The Monumental Casting Challenge
Writer Jack Thorne admitted that assembling a large ensemble of actors aged between 10 and 13 was "a big worry" for the production team. Casting directors Nina Gold and Martin Ware undertook a colossal search, reviewing almost 7,000 boys and contacting more than 1,000 schools across the country. The search was further expanded through an open casting call on social media platforms.
Ultimately, thirty child actors were selected for the series. While the majority are complete unknowns, several possess surprising and notable showbiz connections, leading to scrutiny of the so-called "nepo babies" who are poised to make their mark in this prestigious BBC production.
Noah and Cassius Flemyng: The Twin Sons of Jason Flemyng
Noah and Cassius Flemyng star in the series as the twins Sam and Eric, who are collectively referred to as "Samneric" in the novel, often functioning as a single unit. In a clever piece of casting, they are portrayed by real-life twin brothers Noah and Cassius, who are the sons of renowned actor Jason Flemyng and his wife, Elly Fairman.
Jason Flemyng is celebrated for his roles in Guy Ritchie's iconic British films Lock, Stock And Two Smoking Barrels (1998) and Snatch (2000). His extensive Hollywood portfolio includes appearances in The Curious Case of Benjamin Button (2008), Kick-Ass (2010), and X-Men: First Class (2011). More recently, he has featured in television series such as Prime Target on AppleTV+, Trigger Point on ITV, and The Famous Five on the BBC.
Cornelius Brandreth: Grandson of Gyles Brandreth
Cornelius Brandreth has been cast as Maurice, a choirboy who ultimately joins Jack's savage tribe. The young actor is the grandson of well-known broadcaster and regular This Morning contributor Gyles Brandreth. His father is Benet Brandreth, Gyles' son, who is a prominent barrister in legal circles.
Sharing the exciting news of his casting on social media, Cornelius wrote: "I'm so so excited to announce that I've been cast as Maurice in the BBC's Lord of the Flies!! It's crazy - I was studying the novel at school when I first heard about the open casting call …and now this. We're filming now in Malaysia and it's been an amazing experience so far. I've met so many lovely and talented people. I can't wait for you all to see it. This is going to be an epic adventure – stay tuned!"
Winston Sawyers: Son of Patrick Sawyers
Winston Sawyers takes on one of the lead roles in the series, portraying Ralph, the character who initially attempts to uphold democracy and order among the boys. He is the son of American actor Parker Sawyers, who is best known for his portrayal of a young Barack Obama in the film Southside With You (2016) and for his role in Monsoon (2018).
Parker Sawyers also stars in the drama series P-Valley and has appeared in the BBC One production The Bombing of Pan Am 103. Winston resides in London with his wife and their two children, balancing his burgeoning acting career with family life.
The series, filmed on location in Malaysia, represents a significant undertaking for the BBC, blending a timeless literary classic with a fresh, young cast whose performances are already garnering significant acclaim from audiences and critics alike.
