Screenwriter Jack Thorne Reveals Literary Influence on Emmy-Winning Drama
Acclaimed screenwriter Jack Thorne has disclosed that his Emmy award-winning script for the hit series Adolescence was profoundly influenced by his simultaneous work adapting William Golding's classic novel Lord of the Flies. Thorne articulated that the "savagery of the populism" explored by Golding in his 1954 literary masterpiece resonates strongly with contemporary societal dynamics.
Parallels Between Classic Literature and Modern Society
In an exclusive interview with The Big Issue, Thorne elaborated on the creative crossover between the two projects. "Some of Golding's story slipped into Adolescence, and I'm sure a bit of Adolescence slipped into Lord of the Flies," he remarked. The writer emphasised that Golding's examination of human nature and populist fervour holds significant relevance today. "Lord of the Flies looks populism in the eye," Thorne stated, adding, "He was trying to examine that moment of horror and the savagery of the populism he saw - and there is no doubt we are under the shadow of populism again."
Thorne further explained the urgent need to comprehend these social undercurrents. "We need to understand it. We need to understand how we behave. We need to understand how others around us will behave. This has a lot of parallels with where we find ourselves now," he asserted. The screenwriter noted that these divisions have become "more stark" since he began working on the narrative, observing the phenomenon not just in the United States but globally. "We're seeing it everywhere. Everyone feels safe dividing themselves," Thorne concluded.
Criticism of Government Intervention in BBC Affairs
Beyond discussing his literary influences, Thorne did not shy away from commenting on current cultural policy. He expressed strong disagreement with Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy's recent criticism of the BBC's coverage of the Glastonbury festival. "Lisa Nandy's comments on Glastonbury were really wrong," Thorne declared. "She went beyond the remit of what a culture secretary should do by demanding resignations."
Thorne, a multiple BAFTA and Olivier Award winner, used the platform of his interview—which commemorated 100 years since John Logie Baird's first television demonstration—to defend the national broadcaster. "The charter renewal is a crucial moment, and I hope people within government treasure the BBC and realise how important it is," he urged.
Future Prospects for Adolescence and Cast Accolades
The conversation also touched upon the future of the critically acclaimed series Adolescence. Lead actor Stephen Graham, who won a Golden Globe for his performance, confirmed that discussions about a second season are underway, albeit with a patient timeline. "It's somewhere in the deep recesses of my mind and (co-creator) Jack (Thorne)'s mind, and we'll pull it out in three or four years, so stay tuned," Graham told Deadline.
Adolescence enjoyed considerable award success, with Graham's co-stars Owen Cooper and Erin Doherty winning Best Supporting Actor and Actress respectively, and the series itself securing the Best Limited or Anthology Series award. The drama, which portrays a father grappling with his teenage son's arrest for murder, was praised for its authenticity. Graham previously suggested that any continuation would likely adopt an anthology format, focusing on a completely new story rather than the original Miller family. "It was always made very intently as a little British story, and I think that was the beauty of it," he shared with Variety, attributing its success to "truth, integrity, respect and a lot of love."
During his Golden Globes acceptance speech, Graham personally credited his wife, Hannah Walters, for transforming his life since their marriage eighteen years ago, adding a poignant personal note to the professional achievements surrounding the series.
