‘The BBC has tasked His Dark Materials writer Jack Thorne to pen a TV adaptation of William Golding’s seminal novel Lord of the Flies.
This marks the first time the novel will be made for television, though there have been two feature film adaptations — the first Peter Brook’s 1963 movie and the second made in 1990 by Harry Hook (above).
Sex Education producer Eleven is attached to make The BBC’s series, which was unveiled by BBC Chief Content Officer Charlotte Moore today at a Broadcasting Press Guild event in London. Several other announcements were also made
Writer Thorne is known for shows such as BBC fantasy series His Dark Materials, Channel 4 Covid-19 drama Help, Shane Meadows’ This is England and Netflix series The Eddy, feature films Wonder and Enola Holmes and theater productions including Harry Potter and the Cursed Child.
Golding’s 1954 novel tells the story of a group of British boys who are left stranded on an uninhabited tropical island and slowly descend into anarchy as society’s norms fade away and attempts to govern responsibly fail.
The four-part series for BBC One and BBC iPlayer will be executive produced by Eleven’s Joel Wilson and Jamie Campbell (Ten Pound Poms, Sex Education). Thorne will executive produce for One Shoe Films and Nawfal Faizullah does the same for the BBC.
“My father wrote the novel in a passionate, visionary response to the aftermath of war. He understood that its relevance would not die away,” said Judy Golding Carver, William Golding’s daughter. “I believe he would welcome the freshness and vigor with which Jack and Joel undertake the project, and he would certainly be touched by their intense commitment.
“Our family has been encouraged by our discussions with them – and as a result we put our trust in their skills and enthusiasm. My father was proud of the novel and had faith in its power and honesty. His family believe that this adaptation will do full justice to these qualities.”
Thorne said the idea had come from a discussion between him and Wilson about development. “Joel shot up and said he’d been pestering the Golding family’s representatives for years. Soon after, he found a way to Judy Carver, and then brought me in and I am so delighted they’ve trusted us with this incredible book,” he added.’
Via Deadline
The Book to Screen Club 