David McKenna (actor)

David McKenna
Irish actor David McKenna photographed by Christopher Farr
Born2012 (age 13–14)
Belfast, Northern Ireland
OccupationActor
Years active2023–present
Known forLord of the Flies
Narnia: The Magician's Nephew

David McKenna is an Irish actor, born in Belfast, Northern Ireland.[1] In 2023, David was cast by Academy-award nominated casting director Nina Gold as lead role, Piggy, in the first television adaptation of William Golding’s Lord of the Flies.[1] The series was created by the award-winning duo of Jack Thorne (Adolescence) and Marc Munden (The Sympathizer).[2] McKenna's breakthrough performance has garnered rave reviews, being praised as "sensational" (The Times), "an incredible mix of vulnerability and underdog spikiness" (The Irish Times), "a marvel" (Telegraph), and a "shoo-in for best supporting actor" (The Spectator).[3][4][5][6]

Lord of the Flies was picked up by Netflix for US release, as part of a heated Berlinale acquisition process.[7] It is set for a Netflix release May 4, 2026.[8]

Next, he is expected to lead Netflix’s theatrical film adaptation of The Chronicles of Narnia: The Magician's Nephew, as Digory Kirke.[9] The film is being directed by Academy Award nominee Greta Gerwig.[10]

Career

McKenna made his screen debut in the BBC adaptation of William Golding’s novel Lord of the Flies, playing the emotional core and lead character of the series, Piggy. The series received widespread acclaim, dubbed "stunningly good" by The Telegraph, "brilliantly executed" by The Mail, "absolutely excellent" by The Guardian[11] and "beautiful, haunting" by The Financial Times.[12] McKenna's performance in particular was highlighted as a standout for its "an incredible mix of vulnerability and underdog spikiness" (The Irish Times). He has been noted to be a "shoo-in for best supporting actor" (The Spectator).[3][4][5][6] The series has been predicted by critics to earn multiple Emmy nominations.[13]

In 2023, McKenna was cast in the role by Academy-award nominated casting director Nina Gold (Hamnet, Baby Reindeer) as part of a lengthy process that saw him chosen out of 7,000+ boys.[14] In September 2024, production began as an intense 3 month shoot in Langkawi, Malaysia with the actors working around "twisters...ever-changing tides...and keeping an eye out for snakes, spiders and scorpions."[15][16]

On the heels of rave reviews, the series was picked up by Netflix for US release, as part of a heated Berlinale acquisition process.[17] The series will also release in territories including Germany, Italy, Canada, Japan, Brazil, Central and Eastern Europe, and across the Middle East and North Africa with buyers including HBO, Globoplay, and beIN.[18] The series is set to release in the US via Netflix on May 4, 2026.[19]

Next, McKenna will lead multi-Academy Award nominee Greta Gerwig's film adaptation of Narnia: The Magician's Nephew for Netflix, based on the books by C. S. Lewis.[20] In August 2025, reports from set photography and production coverage initially identified McKenna filming on location as one of the young lead actors.[21] He is said to be portraying Digory Kirke alongside actress Daniel Craig, Meryl Streep, and Emma Mackey.[22][9] The long-awaited film features on Rolling Stone, The Guardian, The Hollywood Reporter's, Esquire, and The A.V. Club's lists of The Most Anticipated Films of the Year.[23][24][25][26][27] It is set to be an Academy Award contender for 2027.[28] The film will release exclusively on IMAX Thanksgiving 2026.[29]

Personal life

David McKenna was born in Belfast, Northern Ireland and identifies as Irish.[1]

He has been a member of the prestigious Belfast School of Performing Arts since the age of 4 and is formally trained in both dance and the arts.[30] He landed his breakthrough role, Piggy in Lord of the Flies, at the age of 10 as part of an open casting call when he sent in a tape from a family holiday. McKenna recounted in an interview with Deadline Hollywood's International Features' editor Diana Lodderhose, "There were no scenes or anything...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 and then a couple of weeks later, Nina Gold’s office called and said I’d got a recall."[1]

The young cast of Lord of the Flies have spoken in depth about the close bonds they developed during filming. Another acclaimed young actor, Lox Pratt (Jack, and soon to play Draco Malfoy in HBO's Harry Potter) told The Hollywood Reporter that he and McKenna became particularly close, despite their characters rivalry.[31]

McKenna has spoken publicly about significant health challenges he faced early in life, including kidney failure as an infant and receiving life-saving kidney transplants donated by both his father and later his mother.[32][32]

Before McKenna's acting career, he was well known in Ireland as a regular guest on BBC Radio Ulster's The Vinny Hurrell Show.[33] McKenna would join the show as a featured comedy guest, using joke-telling as a method to raise awareness of the need for organ donation.[34] In the months since his acting breakthrough, McKenna has returned to the show to discuss.[33] McKenna is now an ambassador for the Children's Kidney Fund of Northern Ireland.[35][36]

Filmography

Television

Year Title Role Notes
2026 Lord of the Flies Piggy Lead role[37]

Film

Year Title Role Notes
2026 Narnia: The Magician's Nephew Digory Kirke Releasing November 26, 2026[38]

Radio

Year Title Role Notes
2020-2022 BBC Radio The Vinny Hurrell Show Self Comedy segment [39]

References

  1. ^ a b c d Lodderhose, Diana (2026-03-04). "'Lord Of The Flies' Star David McKenna On Bringing Piggy To Life In A World Of Chaos & His Dreams Of Making It To London's West End". Deadline. Retrieved 2026-03-20.
  2. ^ "Lord of the Flies: What is it and where can I watch the new adaptation?". BBC Bitesize. Retrieved 2026-03-20.
  3. ^ a b Columnist, Carol Midgley (2026-02-06). "Lord of the Flies review — this dazzling take matches the novel's power". The Times. Retrieved 2026-03-20.
  4. ^ a b "Lord of the Flies on BBC One review: Far too pretty to reflect the ugly side of humanity". The Irish Times. Retrieved 2026-03-20.
  5. ^ a b Singh, Anita (2026-02-06). "The BBC's Lord of the Flies is a first-class example of an adaptation done right". The Telegraph. ISSN 0307-1235. Retrieved 2026-03-20.
  6. ^ a b Delingpole, James (2026-02-11). "The BBC's Lord of the Flies is mesmerically brilliant". The Spectator. Retrieved 2026-03-20.
  7. ^ Shafer, Ellise (2026-02-13). "Netflix Wins U.S. Rights to 'Lord of the Flies' Series From 'Adolescence' Creator Jack Thorne". Variety. Retrieved 2026-03-20.
  8. ^ Ford, Lily (2026-03-18). "'Lord of the Flies' Adaptation From 'Adolescence' Writer Jack Thorne Sets Netflix Release Date". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 2026-03-20.
  9. ^ a b "David McKenna and Beatrice Campbell Cast As Young Leads in Netflix's 'Narnia: The Magician's Nephew'". What's on Netflix. August 11, 2025. Retrieved February 10, 2026.
  10. ^ Seth, Radhika (2025-04-29). "Everything We Know So Far About Greta Gerwig's 'Narnia'". British Vogue. Retrieved 2026-03-20.
  11. ^ "Lord of the Flies: William Golding's classic gets a 'stunningly good' TV adaptation". The Week. 2026-02-19. Retrieved 2026-03-20.
  12. ^ "Client Challenge". Financial Times. Retrieved 2026-03-20.
  13. ^ Davis, Clayton (2026-03-12). "Emmy Predictions 2026: Zendaya, Noah Wyle, Michelle Pfeiffer, Chase Infiniti and 'Love Story' Lead Early Contenders for TV Awards Season". Variety. Retrieved 2026-03-20.
  14. ^ Swain, Marianka (2026-02-09). "How Lord of the Flies assembled one of TV's most impressive young casts". The Telegraph. ISSN 0307-1235. Retrieved 2026-03-20.
  15. ^ "The BBC announces casting for Lord of the Flies as filming begins". BBC. Retrieved 2026-03-20.
  16. ^ Hornbuckle, Jon. "'Lord of the Flies': the spectacular filming locations behind the BBC series". Time Out United Kingdom. Archived from the original on 2026-02-13. Retrieved 2026-03-20.
  17. ^ Szalai, Georg (2026-02-13). "Netflix Takes U.S. Rights to Sony Pictures Television's 'Lord of the Flies'". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 2026-03-20.
  18. ^ Creamer, Jon (2026-02-16). "Netflix buys Lord of the Flies US rights". Televisual. Retrieved 2026-03-20.
  19. ^ Whittock, Jesse (2026-03-18). "'Lord Of The Flies': Premiere Date Set For Netflix's Jack Thorne Series". Deadline. Retrieved 2026-03-20.
  20. ^ Lodderhose, Diana (2026-03-04). "'Lord Of The Flies' Star David McKenna On Bringing Piggy To Life In A World Of Chaos & His Dreams Of Making It To London's West End". Deadline. Retrieved 2026-03-20.
  21. ^ "David McKenna and Beatrice Campbell Cast As Young Leads in Netflix's 'Narnia: The Magician's Nephew'". What's on Netflix. 2025-08-11. Retrieved 2026-03-20.
  22. ^ Seth, Radhika (2025-04-29). "From Meryl Streep as Aslan to Emma Mackey as the White Witch, Everything We Know So Far About Greta Gerwig's 'Narnia'". Vogue. Retrieved 2026-03-20.
  23. ^ Fear, David (2026-01-05). "The 50 Most Anticipated New Movies of 2026". Rolling Stone. Retrieved 2026-03-20.
  24. ^ Pulver, Andrew; Horton, Adrian; Esposito, Veronica; Lee, Benjamin; Hassenger, Jesse; Simonpillai, Radheyan; Lawrence, Andrew; Lawson, Richard; Shoard, Catherine (2026-01-06). "Narnia! Dune! Charli xcx! The 2026 films Guardian writers are most excited about". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 2026-03-20.
  25. ^ Galuppo, Mia; Canfield, David (2025-12-31). "The Most Anticipated Movies of 2026". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 2026-03-20.
  26. ^ "The 45 Most Anticipated Movies of 2026". Esquire. 2026-01-06. Retrieved 2026-03-20.
  27. ^ "The most anticipated films of 2026: Steven Spielberg, Greta Gerwig, Christopher Nolan, and the Avengers". AV Club. Retrieved 2026-03-20.
  28. ^ Davis, Clayton (2026-03-19). "Oscars 2027: First Blind Predictions Includes Tom Cruise, Ryan Gosling, Christopher Nolan, David Fincher and 'Dune 3'". Variety. Retrieved 2026-03-20.
  29. ^ Vlessing, Etan (2025-01-17). "Greta Gerwig's 'Narnia' Nabs Exclusive Imax Run In Major Deal Ahead of Netflix Premiere". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 2026-03-20.
  30. ^ "David McKenna". Susannah Norris Agency. Retrieved 2026-03-20.
  31. ^ Ford, Lily (February 4, 2026). "Lox Pratt, 14, Unpacks His Starring Role in 'Lord of the Flies' — and Playing Draco Malfoy in HBO's 'Harry Potter'".
  32. ^ a b "Lord of the Flies breakout star, 12, received kidney transplants from parents". Metro. 2026-02-08. Retrieved 2026-03-20.
  33. ^ a b "BBC Radio Ulster - Vinny & Cate, New BBC Lord of The Flies Star: David Mckenna". BBC. Retrieved 2026-03-20.
  34. ^ Doom, Impending (2026-01-28). "Watch: Digory Actor David McKenna Stars in New 'Lord of the Flies' Trailer". NarniaWeb | Netflix's Narnia Movies. Retrieved 2026-03-20.
  35. ^ Rhodes, Nicole (2026-02-16). "🎭 More than a Survivor - A Performer 🎭". Children's Kidney Fund NI. Retrieved 2026-03-20.
  36. ^ "Lord of the Flies star reveals he has kidneys from both parents". Evening Standard. February 2026. Retrieved February 10, 2026.
  37. ^ "Lord of the Flies (TV series)". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved March 20, 2026.
  38. ^ Vlessing, Etan (2025-01-17). "Greta Gerwig's 'Narnia' Nabs Exclusive Imax Run In Major Deal Ahead of Netflix Premiere". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 2026-03-20.
  39. ^ . BBC https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/m002rqgw. Retrieved 2026-03-20. {{cite web}}: Missing or empty |title= (help)
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