How close does Lord of the Flies stick to William Golding’s novel?

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The BBC’s new TV series based on the classic novel ‘Lord of the Flies’ is now streaming in full on iPlayer. This is the first-ever television adaptation of the book.

Similar to the original novel, this series – written by Jack Thorne, who also worked on ‘Adolescence’ – tells the story of a group of boys left stranded on a tropical island after their plane crashes. There are no adults with them.

The boys quickly establish some order, choosing Ralph as their leader. He receives guidance and support from the most intelligent boy in the group, Piggy.

But trouble starts when Jack also develops a passion for hunting and tries to take charge. He begins to attract followers, and this ultimately leads to disaster.

But how closely does the book actually follow the novel, and what has Thorne said on the topic?

Here’s a breakdown of how the Lord of the Flies series compares to the original book.

Which book is Lord of the Flies based on?

The BBC recently aired a four-part adaptation of William Golding’s classic novel, Lord of the Flies, originally published in 1954.

Golding’s novel, shaped by his experiences in both World War II and the Cold War, explores complex ideas about leadership, the breakdown of order, and what’s right and wrong.

It has gone on to be considered a classic, and is often studied in schools throughout the UK.

How closely does Lord of the Flies follow the novel?

Jack Thorne, the writer who adapted the novel, has said he wanted to stay true to the book, which he considers his favorite.

During a discussion about how the project originated, Thorne explained that he was having dinner with his wife, Joel Wilson’s (the executive producer) family, and their child. The dinner wasn’t meant to be about work, but Joel unexpectedly asked him, ‘What’s a book you’ve always wanted to adapt but never had the opportunity?’

I’d always been drawn to ‘Lord of the Flies’ – it’s a story that’s really stuck with me, and I’d actually pitched it as a project a couple of times before. When I mentioned it to him, he thought he could secure the rights, and I immediately said yes. That’s pretty much how the whole thing began.

We developed a detailed proposal for our initial meeting with Judy. She understood parts of it, so we refined it further and discussed it with her again. Eventually, we presented it to the full estate, and fortunately, they approved it and gave us a chance.

I truly believe this is a perfect book. It’s wonderful, but I often see it mistakenly framed as a simple story of good versus evil. What I love about the writing – and what we’re aiming to capture in this adaptation – is its complexity and the beautiful nuances it explores. It’s not about black and white; it’s about all the shades of grey in between.

Everyone on the island is flawed in their own way, except perhaps Roger, who seems particularly prone to causing problems. I believe – and I hope – that we’ve fully captured the beauty and complexity of the original work.

One of the most significant differences between the book and the TV series is how the series is structured. Each of the four episodes is named after and told from the point of view of a main character.

The show can explore characters like Jack’s inner thoughts and feelings more deeply than the book does. But even these additions, the author admits, are inspired by his own interpretation of the original story.

As a film buff, I found the way they structured the movie really clever. The estate, whoever they are, clearly saw it too – it perfectly mirrored the story’s progression. It’s like, Piggy represents the initial attempt at democracy, then Jack’s rise shows that system falling apart. Simon’s storyline embodies the complete chaos that follows, and finally, Ralph’s journey is all about the outbreak of war. It’s a really neat parallel, and it works brilliantly!

Each part of learning feels like a puzzle, and children need to remember key details to solve it. But it also creates opportunities for connection. As Hitchcock once said – though I might be misquoting him – dialogue isn’t just what people say, but how they say it, and what their expressions reveal.

It’s really moving to watch these kids and get to know them, especially Jack. Spending time with him lets you understand what he’s going through. You’ll see in the second episode that the character who seems so angry in the first episode is actually much more complex.

Seeing both the potential and the reality of a situation helps you focus on what’s possible, and that’s what empowers us to move forward.

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During the question-and-answer session, someone asked Thorne if he considered the book’s widespread use in schools and its academic importance while writing it.

He insisted, “No, that’s not what I meant.” He explained he’d been thinking, ‘This book is amazing, and we have to do it right.’ He hadn’t encountered it in school; instead, his mother, who taught English, had introduced it to him. He actually read a copy she’d borrowed—or, as he put it, ‘stolen’—from the school’s English department.

Lord of the Flies will air on BBC One and BBC iPlayer from Sunday 8th February 2026.

Don’t miss Lord of the Flies! Add it to your watchlist on the TopMob: What to Watch app. Download the app today for daily TV suggestions, articles, and more.

Authors

James HibbsDrama Writer

James Hibbs writes about TV dramas for TopMob, covering shows on streaming services and traditional channels. Before becoming a writer, he worked in public relations, first at a business-to-business agency and then at the international production company Fremantle. He has a bachelor’s degree in English and Theatre Studies, as well as a journalism diploma.

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2026-02-08 09:35