Lord of the Flies BBC cast includes Harry Potter’s new Draco Malfoy and unexpected cameos
Two Lord of the Flies stars also have a famous dad
Lord of the Flies, the BBC’s new series, mostly features a fresh-faced cast – but one young actor is destined for bigger stardom in the new Harry Potter series.
Other adaptations of William Golding’s novel have acted as early launchpads for its stars. For example, James Aubrey’s first role was playing Ralph in the 1963 film, while James Badge Dale (who, funnily enough, later starred in The Pacific) played Simon in the 1990 movie.
This new show, penned by Adolescence writer Jack Thorne, should do the same for its ensemble. Not just because it’s a major Sunday night drama that’ll give them loads of exposure: they are incredibly talented.
Some of them will break your heart, others will make you angry – particularly one star, who’s set to play Harry Potter’s Slytherin rival in the upcoming TV show.
Lord of the Flies cast and characters
Lord of the Flies isn’t like other TV shows. For the most part, these aren’t established actors: they were picked via an open casting call, with “no previous experience necessary”.
That’s not to say they’re amateurs. According to Marc Munden, he quickly realised how “serious” they were about acting, despite it being many of the boys’ acting debuts.
“They learned that they didn’t have to present a character and say the lines like you might in a school play; that the character came out of what they were doing,” he said.
“They watched each other act, learning from one another, and everyone tended towards a higher level of performance as a result of that.”
Winston Sawyers plays Ralph
Who is Ralph?
Ralph is one of the main protagonists in Lord of the Flies. He’s a reluctant, mostly kind leader who quickly finds himself at odds with Jack, but he has a strong relationship with Piggy from the earliest scenes in the series.
In Sawyers’ eyes, he’s “quite charming, humble, and a little bit goofy”.
Has Winston Sawyers been in anything else?
Sawyers is one of the few actors with a previous credit to his name.
He made his on-screen debut in The Crow Girl, 2025’s Paramount+ drama with Eve Myles. He’s not attached to any other projects at the time of writing.
Lox Pratt plays Jack in Lord of the Flies
Why Jack is so important in Lord of the Flies
Jack is one of the most famous (and notorious) characters from Lord of the Flies. He makes it clear immediately that he sees himself as an alpha: an older boy who’s happy to order people around and always believes his way is best.
To some of the boys, his brash arrogance and refusal to do “boring things” is liberating. He doesn’t have respect for many of the boys (if anyone), but there’s a strong undercurrent of insecurity in all of his behaviour.
“He’s very narcissistic, arrogant, and condescending, and he knows that he’s the best at everything. Deep down he’s quite a scared little guy,” Pratt said in a press release.
“Ralph is interesting because he’s a good leader, he prioritises the right things, whereas Jack doesn’t but he is exciting.”
Lox Pratt is heading to Hogwarts
Pratt is a young, British boy with blonde hair who effectively plays Lord of the Flies’ villain. When you watch him, you’ll probably think, “God, he would make an amazing Draco Malfoy.”
Well, as it turns out, he will. He’s already been cast as Draco in HBO and Sky’s TV reboot of Harry Potter.
Speaking to The Hollywood Reporter, Pratt was asked if he ever wants to play a friendly character.
“I like to think I’m in a good position. It’s better than being stuck the nice guy the entire time, isn’t it?” he said.
David McKenna portrays Piggy
Who is Piggy?
Piggy is the most responsible boy on the island. He’s happy for everyone to have fun, but he believes they need order, whether that’s toilets for the littleuns, shelter for everyone to sleep under, or creating a safe fire that doesn’t burn half the forest down.
As McKenna said, “the boys don’t react well to that”, and he finds it hard to keep allies on the island.
“I’m very like Piggy. I like to think I’m responsible but I’m not as much as he is,” the young star added.
“I can have a laugh and a little bit of a muck-about, but still be responsible in a way. I feel like we are quite like each other.”
What is David McKenna doing next?
Officially, McKenna isn’t attached to anything else after Lord of the Flies. However, it looks like he’s starring in two huge projects.
Set photos (via What’s on Netflix) revealed that he’s been cast in Greta Gerwig’s Chronicles of Narnia movie alongside Emma Mackey and Daniel Craig.
According to a rumour reported by Redanian Intelligence, McKenna has also been cast in the Harry Potter TV show. It’s unclear who he’d be playing, though fans have speculated he could portray Crabbe or Goyle.
Lord of the Flies cast: Ike Talbut plays Simon
Who is Simon?
Simon is part of Jack’s group at the start of Lord of the Flies. He’s shyer and more vulnerable than his friends, and even more so than Piggy, he’s “got a foresight of what’s going to happen”.
“He’s in touch with his spiritual side, he watches before he talks,” Talbut explained.
“Simon just witnesses everything more and from that stance of knowledge he just knows what’s going to happen. People call him out for that and make accusations of ‘battiness’.”
Has Ike Talbut been in any other TV shows or movies?
Lord of the Flies is Ike Talbut’s on-screen acting debut. He’s currently part of the Musical Youth Company of Oxford.
Thomas Connor plays Roger
Who is Roger?
Roger is one of Jack’s main allies in Lord of the Flies. He revels in the disorder caused by Jack, enjoying the freedom to dance, fight, and run free, while acting as an enforcer when called upon.
What else has Thomas Connor done?
Lord of the Flies is Connor’s debut role, and he isn’t attached to any other projects right now.
Noah Flemyng and Cassius Flemyng star as Sam and Eric
Who are Sam and Eric?
Sam and Eric are identical twins. Throughout Lord of the Flies, they’re inseparable (so much so that in the book they’re referred to as ‘Samneric’). They’re more civilised than some of the other boys on the island.
Sam and Eric have a famous dad
Noah Flemyng and Cassius Flemyng’s names should sound familiar. They’re the sons of actor Jason Flemyng, who’s starred in the likes of Lock Stock and Snatch, and he also appeared in Trigger Point series 3.
Speaking to Geek Vibes Nation last year, he spoke about spending time in Malaysia for the show’s shoot.
“Me, the wife and the two boys flew off to Malaysia for six months. We were their chaperones, and the boys were the stars. So that was fun,” he said.
Other young stars in the Lord of the Flies cast
- Cornelius Brandreth as Maurice
- Tom Page-Turner as Bill
- Rafael de Belligny as Robert
- Lake Coleman as boy with birthmark
- Freddie Lee-Grey as Percival
- Beau Thompson as Philip
- Fred Jones as Johnny
***Warning: spoilers for Lord of the Flies ahead***
Lord of the Flies guest cast features three big cameos
You may be wondering – as someone in Lord of the Flies once asks – “Are there any grown-ups?”
In short, yes! A few adult actors make brief appearances, either via flashback or at the end of the series – and these are the three most notable roles.
Rory Kinnear
Rory Kinnear makes a brief appearance in the final episode of the BBC’s Lord of the Flies series.
He’s seen exclusively via flashback, playing Ralph’s dad. He doesn’t appear in many scenes, but they’re crucial to understanding Ralph in the closing stretch of the story.
Kinnear has enjoyed an extensive career in movies and television. He starred in the first-ever episode of Black Mirror, and he played Bill Tanner in Daniel Craig’s James Bond era. He also appeared in Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power and Years and Years.
Daniel Mays
Daniel Mays also appears in episode 4, playing a police officer who speaks to Ralph outside his house after his mother’s death.
Lynley fans will know Mays well, as he plays DCI Brian Nies. The actor has also appeared in Des, 1917, and Line of Duty.
Tom Goodman-Hill
Tom Goodman-Hill makes a late but pivotal appearance in Lord of the Flies as a naval officer.
Even if you don’t recognise his name, you’ll know his face. In 2024, he starred in Baby Reindeer (that episode), and he’s also had roles in the Silent Witness cast, Mr Selfridge, and The Imitation Game.
Read more: Lord of the Flies ending explained and everyone who dies
