David McKenna’s journey into acting took an unexpected turn while on a family vacation in Tenerife. The BBC had announced an open casting call for young actors for a new TV adaptation of William Golding’s classic novel, "Lord of the Flies." No prior experience was required.
At 10 years old, McKenna, who had been active in a local drama club in Belfast, Northern Ireland, since age four, submitted a tape from the holiday, hoping to showcase his personality.
“There were no scenes or anything,” McKenna recalls. “It was just to see a bit of your personality. We had to answer questions like ‘Who would you want to be with if you were stranded on a tropical island?’ and I said, ‘The West End cast of Les Mis.’ I thought nothing of it and went for a nice, wee dinner that night. A couple of weeks later, Nina Gold’s office called and said I’d got a recall.”
McKenna won over casting director Nina Gold, known for “Baby Reindeer” and “Game of Thrones,” and was cast in the pivotal role of Piggy for the four-part series written by Jack Thorne (“Adolescence”).
First Impressions and Recognition
Instagram | thefarmpost.tv | David McKenna stumbled upon his big break in 'Lord of the Flies' while on a family trip to Tenerife.
Speaking from Belfast via Zoom, McKenna, now 13, demonstrates the charisma that likely secured his casting. Alongside his father, Jim, he shares insights into a whirlwind experience that began with his first professional role and has already earned praise for his portrayal of Piggy.
Rumors suggest he may have also landed the lead role of Digory in Netflix’s upcoming "Narnia: The Magician’s Nephew," directed by Greta Gerwig (Barbie). “All I can say is I’ve wrapped a feature film that will be on IMAX this year,” McKenna hints.
A devoted musical theater fan, McKenna attended West End shows every night during rehearsals in London. Favorites included Sister Act with Alexandra Burke, Heathers, and Mean Girls.
Adapting a Classic
Golding’s 1954 novel explores the conflict between civilization and savagery, following schoolboys stranded on a tropical island after a plane crash. Ralph, played by Winston Sawyers, is elected leader, with Piggy supporting him.
The series stays close to the source material, with Marc Munden directing and Sony-backed Eleven and Australia’s Stan producing. Netflix recently secured U.S. rights after a competitive acquisition.
McKenna admits initial unfamiliarity with the story. “I had heard the name obviously because it’s such an iconic book, but I didn’t know the story or who any of the characters were. When you read the script, it starts off as a nice, sweet story, but then you get to the end and you’re like, ‘Oh, ok.’”
The dark and violent themes only became clear once McKenna viewed the finished series. “You read the script and, even when you film it, you know people are getting murdered. It’s brutal. But it didn’t really click until I watched it.”
Understanding Piggy
Piggy serves as the voice of reason amidst chaos, embodying practicality and respect for order. Though physically weaker, with poor eyesight and asthma, Piggy maintains diplomacy, in contrast to Jack, played by Lox Pratt, who becomes obsessed with power.
“I definitely relate to him a lot,” McKenna says. “Even in my friend group of boys, I’m the bossy one. I keep everyone on two feet. But I think I’m not as negative as he is. He assumes things will go wrong before they even happen, but I’m not like that.”
At home, his six-year-old sister has the upper hand in their relationship. McKenna credits acting coach Tommy Lawrence for shaping Piggy’s on-screen character. “He would give me asthma techniques, and we had a whole backstory created for him. Piggy does have a lot of obstacles, but he seems to have had a happy childhood, living with his aunt and all her friends.”
Instagram | susannahnorrisagency | Piggy represents the fragile voice of reason and order against Jack’s descent into power-hungry savagery.
Filming in Malaysia
Rehearsals began with two days in London, including team-building exercises such as sitting on a chair while others watched, simulating film-set conditions. Then, the cast flew to Malaysia for a three-month shoot in the Langkawi archipelago. The remote rainforest setting offered authenticity, though the environment posed challenges, including intense heat and daily snake and scorpion removal.
“I was definitely aware that it was going to be hard,” McKenna notes. “The heat was intense, and scenes with fire required stepping away at times. But everything you see is real. Some CGI exists, but the locations were genuine. Walking on set at the beginning was very surreal.”
Despite portraying conflict and disintegration on screen, the cast bonded closely during filming. They stayed at the same resort, learned lines together, and shared movie nights. “It was really lovely because we all came from different backgrounds. Some of the boys I probably wouldn’t have met otherwise.”
Life Back in Belfast and Future Goals
Returning to school in Belfast, McKenna’s classmates and local community have praised his performance. “People at school have come up and said they watched the show and loved it. A few have asked for selfies, and even nurses at appointments recognize me,” he says.
While continuing film and television work, McKenna expresses interest in performing on London’s West End. His experiences on set and his passion for musical theater suggest that stage performance could be a natural next step.
David McKenna’s portrayal of Piggy in "Lord of the Flies" highlights a balance of vulnerability and intelligence. His approach, informed by preparation, coaching, and on-set experience, brings depth to a classic character in a story exploring human nature.
From Belfast to the jungles of Malaysia, McKenna’s path shows the dedication behind a compelling performance and hints at a promising future both on screen and potentially on stage.
