Stan and BBC have partnered to create a new four-part Stan Original Series, 'Lord of the Flies', based on William Golding's renowned novel of the same name. The television adaptation, which is currently being filmed in Malaysia, is being helmed by multi-BAFTA award-winning writer Jack Thorne and directed by Marc Munden.

Stan Chief Content Officer, Cailah Scobie, said: "One of the biggest books of the 20th century, Lord of the Flies has captivated readers for generations, is loved by millions, and this landmark adaptation is guaranteed to compel Australian audiences. Our collaboration with the BBC and the award-winning team at Eleven features a dynamic young cast from top-tier creative talent, and we look forward to sharing this impactful Stan Original Series with our audiences soon."

Thorne is known for his work on His Dark Materials, Help, National Treasure, and Enola Holmes, while Munden is behind Help, and The Sympathizer. The series is a co-production between Eleven (Ten Pound Poms and Sex Education) and BBC, with international distribution to be handled by Sony Pictures Television.

"I still can't believe we have been given the opportunity to film this beautiful book. The first few days shooting show that our cast are extraordinary and that Marc is finding a whole new visual language in capturing the wonders of them and the beauty of Malaysia. He is an incredible storyteller. It is all so exciting," said Thorne, the series' screen writer and executive producer.

Munden added: "This iconic novel of class, conflict and tender male friendship has never been more relevant. It's a real privilege to be working with Jack Thorne once again, the wonderful cast of young actors we've assembled and the brilliant team at Eleven on this beautifully fresh adaptation."

An original score will be co-created by Academy Award-winning composer Hans Zimmer (Dune, Planet Earth, The Lion King) and multi-Emmy nominated Kara Talve (The Tattooist of Auschwitz, Prehistoric Planet) for Bleeding Fingers Music.

The casting process was led by multi-award-winning casting director Nina Gold, with many of the cast making their professional acting debuts. David McKenna will play Piggy alongside Winston Sawyers as Ralph, Lox Pratt as Jack, Isaac Talbut as Simon, and Thomas Connor as Roger. Noah and Cassius Flemyng have been cast as the twins Sam and Eric, with Cornelius Brandreth as Maurice, and Tom Page-Turner as Bill, alongside an ensemble of more than 20 other boys playing the desert island camp's "big 'uns" and "little 'uns".

Director of BBC Drama, Lindsay Salt, said: "We're delighted to pass the conch to Jack Thorne, Marc Munden and this exceptionally talented young cast of stars in the making, who are telling this timeless story in such an epic and emotionally poignant way. Lord of the Flies is British storytelling at its finest and most thoughtful, and there is no better home for its first ever television adaptation than on the BBC."

Eleven's Executive Producer, Joel Wilson, said: "Marc is a visionary. It is a privilege to witness his skill in working with our young actors as he brings Jack's scripts to life. The visual language he has developed with Mark Wolf, our cinematographer, would be a thing to behold in any environment. Here, capturing our excellent cast in the jungle, mountains and beaches of Malaysia, it is extraordinary. Hans has already shared his first sketches for the score, which are hugely inspiring. We are honoured to be working with him. I'm writing this as I watch our cast of more than thirty boys (between the ages of five and thirteen) file up our mobile Jetty onto the beach, feeling delighted we made this happen."

The series is currently filming in Malaysia, with further filming planned later this year in the UK. It is being made with the support of 'Lord of the Flies' author William Golding's family. The novel has been one of the most popular books on English curriculum for the past 70 years. William Golding won the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1983.