'Adolescence' creator talks teenage masculinity again for 'Lord of the Flies' series

Key Points:

• Jack Thorne, who first read William Golding's "Lord of the Flies" at age 11, developed the first TV adaptation of the novel, which aired in the UK and is now available on Netflix in the U.S. starting May 4.
• Thorne views the novel as a psychological study of boys raised in World War II-era Britain, exploring themes of masculinity, morality, leadership, and civility as the boys descend into savagery.
• The four-part series uniquely centers each episode on one of the novel’s main characters—Piggy, Ralph, Simon, and Jack—offering different perspectives to deepen understanding of their personalities and motivations.
• Thorne identifies with Simon, the outsider character, and shares how his perception of Jack evolved over time from hatred in childhood to empathy in adulthood, reflecting the novel’s complex character portrayals.
• Thorne hopes the series encourages viewers to engage in thoughtful discussions without providing easy answers, mirroring the novel's intent to provoke ongoing reflection and conversation.