First Trailer for LORD OF THE FLIES Teases a Dark and Unsettling Survival Story
Lord of the Flies is getting a new adaptation, and the newly released trailer for the series makes it clear this is going to be savage survival story.
The BBC and Stan have dropped the first look at their upcoming adaptation, and it reminds viewers why William Golding’s novel still hits hard decades later. With a February premiere locked in, this series is shaping up to be an intense, unsettling watch.
The four-part drama lands on Sunday, February 8 on BBC One, with episodes airing weekly at 9pm. For those who prefer to binge, BBC iPlayer will release all four episodes on launch night. The series is also a co-production with Australia’s Stan, while Sony Pictures Television handles international distribution.
Written by Jack Thorne, the adaptation revisits Golding’s story of schoolboys stranded on a remote Pacific island with no adults to keep order. The trailer introduces an ensemble cast of more than 30 boys as they struggle to adapt to their new reality.
At first, there’s optimism and cooperation. One boy says, “We need to think about food and shelter. We need to help each other and be good camp mates.” That reasonable thinking doesn’t last.
Leadership quickly becomes a point of conflict. Ralph, played by Winston Sawyers, tries to bring structure and fairness to the group with the help of Piggy, portrayed by David McKenna, the voice of logic among them.
Meanwhile, Jack, played by Lox Pratt, is drawn to hunting and power, challenging Ralph’s authority. As in the novel, the fragile sense of order collapses, giving way to fear, rivalry, and violence as innocence erodes and tribal instincts take over.
The cast also includes Ike Talbut as Simon, Thomas Connor as Roger, Noah Flemming and Cassius Flemming as twins Sam and Eric, Cornelius Brandreth as Maurice, and Tom Page-Turner as Bill.
The series features an original score by Cristobal Tapia de Veer, whose work on The White Lotus and Smile leans into unease and psychological tension. The main theme and additional music come from Bleeding Fingers Music, with Hans Zimmer and Kara Talve contributing, giving the show a sonic edge that matches its dark trajectory.
The project was commissioned by BBC Drama director Lindsay Salt and directed by Marc Munden, with Callum Devrell-Cameron producing.
Lord of the Flies looks ready to lean fully into the rawness of Golding’s story. It isn’t trying to soften the edges or modernize the message for comfort. Instead, it seems focused on the slow, frightening unraveling of order when rules disappear.