February 23, 2026, 4:31 pm | Read time: 4 minutes
At this year’s Berlinale 2026, as in previous years, not only films made it into the program. Interested viewers can also get a sneak peek at some selected new series and gain a first—hopefully lasting—impression even on the big screen. TECHBOOK is on site and has previewed the first half of the Sky series “Lord of the Flies.”
What “Lord of the Flies” Is About
“Lord of the Flies” is a new adaptation of the famous classic novel “Lord of the Flies” by William Golding. The story is well-known: A plane carrying a group of boys, all between the ages of five and twelve, crashes on a deserted island in 1954. While the few adults do not survive the crash, all the children do. But how will they survive?
Two factions quickly form: Ralph (Winston Sawyers) and Piggy (David McKenna) try to maintain order and a sense of civility. The impulsive Jack (Lox Pratt), on the other hand, prefers hunting or is only interested in play and fun. As they struggle to survive, conflict is inevitable. Jack wants to establish his own camp and breaks away with others. More and more follow him, and together they increasingly give in to primitive and violent behavior…
“Adolescence” Creator Behind “Lord of the Flies”
Boys at their limits is something series creator Jack Thorne is apparently well-versed in. After all, he released the award-winning “Adolescence” with Stephen Graham, perhaps the biggest series sensation of 2025. It centers on a 13-year-old suspected of murder. For “Lord of the Flies,” he again served as creator and screenwriter.
The new literary adaptation also focuses on boys and their propensity for violence. Veteran director Marc Munden (“Electric Dreams,” “The Sympathizer”) directed all four episodes and was present at the Berlinale 2026 screening. He explained that each episode focuses on a different boy, resulting in the following episode list:
- Episode 1 – Piggy
- Episode 2 – Jack
- Episode 3 – Simon
- Episode 4 – Ralph
Notably, according to Munden, none of the child actors had previous acting experience. The few exceptions do not even have speaking roles in “Lord of the Flies.” The team searched for the right cast across the UK for six to nine months.
Natural Chaos in Front of the Camera
Since none of the children were professionals, the series is said to showcase the “natural chaos” typical of little rascals. Indeed, whenever multiple children come together in a scene during the first two episodes, the lively activity appears very authentic—likely because it truly was.
The filming took place on an island, and they made it “as difficult as possible” for themselves, as there weren’t even regular toilets. The local flora and fauna also posed additional challenges for the team.
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“Lord of the Flies” Is Truly Worth Watching
Were the hardships worth it? After viewing the first half, this question can be answered with a resounding “Yes.” The timeless story is as relevant and explosive as ever in polarized times and is carried by young actors who are nothing short of natural talents.
The staging helps not only to depict the story and themes but also to accentuate them. Several times, the camera lingers in a close-up of a boy’s face, as if trying to peer deep into his soul to ask: What is going on inside you? Why are you doing this? Such moments are accompanied by a dark, atmospheric sound and music backdrop that not only underscores the action but also emphasizes the psychological dimension.
Critics Are Convinced
Initial international reviews are also favorable. The British “Guardian” describes it as “surreal horror” that will make you feel “sick throughout,” so intense is the impact of what is shown. “Rotten Tomatoes” also paints a very positive picture: Of all the reviews received so far, 83 percent are positive—a very good result (as of February 16, 2026).
“Lord of the Flies” will be released in Germany on February 24 exclusively on Sky.