NOW ENTERTAINMENT May 00 3 - -9,00, 2026 Month 2023
Your Weekly TV Entertainment Brought To You By Olean Times Herald & The Bradford Era
Based on William Golding’s classic novel of the same name, the BBC miniseries “Lord of the Flies” premieres Monday, May 4, on Netflix. David McKenna and Lox Pratt in “Lord of the Flies”
Cover Story Lord of the ‘flix: Netflix premieres BBC adaptation of Golding classic By Dana Simpson A powerful debut novel from British author and playwright William Golding, “Lord of the Flies” was first published in 1954 amid Cold War turbulence, the rise of rock ‘n’ roll and the peak of McCarthyism in the United States. As a piece of literature, “Lord of the Flies” serves as a startling depiction of the benefits and drawbacks of modern societal structures. As a television miniseries some 72 years later, the story still serves as a reminder of the horrors that persist at the heart of our shared will to survive against all odds. “The Lord of the Flies,” which first aired on BBC One and BBC iPlayer in the U.K. this past February, premieres Monday, May 4, on Netflix. Adapted for the screen by “Adolescence” co-creator Jack Thorne, the four-episode series retells the harrowing tale of a group of British schoolboys who have become stranded on a remote island following a plane crash. Each episode is told through the lens of one of the story’s main characters — Piggy
(new talent David McKenna), Jack (played by Lox Pratt, who will star as Draco Malfoy in HBO’s “Harry Potter” series, releasing this December), Simon (new talent Ike Talbut) and Ralph (Winston Sawyers, “The Crow Girl”) — and benefits from three-time BAFTA winner Marc Munden’s (“The Sympathizer”) direction behind the camera. For those less familiar with the plot of “Lord of the Flies,” The Hollywood Reporter sums up the post-plane crash events as follows: “In an attempt to remain civil, they [the schoolboys] organize themselves, led by Ralph [Sawyers] and supported by the group’s intellectual, Piggy [McKenna]. But when Pratt’s Jack becomes more interested in hunting and vying for leadership, he soon begins to draw other boys away from the group, and hope soon descends into tragedy.” This theme of seeking power and control amid fear, anger and pivotal change is central to the novel, and Thorne notes that it’s one of the driving forces behind his involvement in its adaptation
for BBC (soon to land on Netflix in North America). “As a society, we’re having a conversation right now about boys,” Thorne told Netflix, which released his other male teen-focused series, “Adolescence,” last March. “We’re losing a generation of boys, and we’re losing it because of the hate they are ingesting — because it is an answer to their loneliness and isolation.” Pratt, who plays Jack (arguably the series’ most sinister character), also spoke to this motif of young male loneliness addressed in the show. While discussing his first on-screen role with The Hollywood Reporter in a Feb. 4 article, the budding actor shared the process he adopted to play such a complicated and seemingly villainous character so early on in his career. “I had quite a good, long chat to [Thorne] about the way Jack was neglected, the way that he’s not a psychopath, the way he just doesn’t know how to show affection, the way he doesn’t feel love,” Pratt said, later adding, “there’s so much complexity.”
Joining the four core cast members on-screen — three of whom are new to acting as of this project, thanks to an open casting call — are fellow rising talents Thomas Connor as Roger, Freddie Lee-Grey as Percival, Beau Thompson (who will star in “The Death of Robin Hood” this June) as Philip, Tom Page-Turner (who acted in upcoming short “Rule, Britannia”) as Bill, and twins Noah and Cassius Flemyng (Planet Coaster 2) as Sam and Eric, respectively. Additionally, Fred Jones, who previously appeared in Season 12 of the BBC One/PBS series “Call the Midwife,” appears in “Lord of the Flies” as Johnny. But for all the adjusted filming schedules, location scouting and new actors, Thorne says it will all be worth it if it generates a newfound interest in the source material. “I hope it takes people back to the book,” Thorne told Tudum, “and I hope it allows people to lean into what the book really is, in my opinion: a difficult and dangerous account of who we are and what we’re capable of.”
In Focus
In Focus “Off Campus” - Season 1 (Prime Video — May 13, Series Premiere) Based on the bestselling book series by Elle Kennedy, “Off Campus” follows an elite ice hockey team, and the women in their lives, as they grapple with love, heartbreak and self-discovery — forging deep friendships and enduring bonds while navigating complexities.
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“The Punisher: One Last Kill” (Disney+ — May 12, Special Premiere) Jon Bernthal stars as vigilante the Punisher, aka Frank Castle, in this new special. Frank searches for meaning beyond revenge in his life — until an unexpected force pulls him back into the fight.