Young Actor's Inspiring Health Journey Behind Lord of the Flies Role
David McKenna, the 12-year-old star portraying Piggy in the BBC's fresh adaptation of Lord of the Flies, has opened up about his extraordinary medical history involving kidney transplants from both his parents. The young performer, who brings to life one of literature's most memorable characters in this psychological drama, has overcome significant health challenges to pursue his acting career.
The Role of Piggy in a New Adaptation
McKenna takes on the iconic role of Piggy in Jack Thorne's contemporary reimagining of William Golding's 1954 classic novel. The character, known for his intelligence, distinctive spectacles, and vulnerable nature among boys stranded on a desert island, was famously originated by Hugh Edwards in the 1963 film version. This new production, filmed across locations in the UK and Malaysia during 2025, represents a bold reinterpretation of the source material.
A Life-Saving Medical Journey
The actor's path to starring in this major television series has been marked by remarkable medical interventions. Diagnosed with chronic kidney failure at just two weeks old, David received his first transplant at age four from his father, Jim. When this initial transplant began to fail six years later, his mother Elizabeth donated her kidney in 2023 when David was ten years old.
Reflecting on this experience in a 2024 Facebook video celebrating the 25th anniversary of Children's Kidney Fund NI, David expressed profound gratitude: "It has changed my life. I'm really proud of myself to think that 18 months ago, I was sat on a dialysis chair. Now I'm winning musical theatre trophies, starring in musicals and I have something very exciting coming my way very soon." This exciting development is believed to reference his casting in the Lord of the Flies adaptation.
Parental Perspectives and Recovery
Elizabeth McKenna shared with the Belfast Telegraph how both parents underwent testing, with Jim proving to be a compatible match initially. Following the 2016 operation, she described a dramatic transformation: "Before the transplant we did not have that, he did not have any energy, and all of a sudden, almost overnight, he woke up and that was it. He could not walk unaided before because he didn't have the balance but now he is off round the park on his own."
She noted that this sudden burst of energy initially left the family exhausted but represented a miraculous improvement in David's quality of life. When the first transplanted kidney began to fail, Elizabeth stepped forward to donate her own organ, demonstrating extraordinary familial commitment to David's wellbeing.
Artistic Development and Training
Between medical procedures, David continued his artistic development at the Belfast School of Performing Arts. His stage credits include notable productions such as:
- The Wiz
- Matilda Jr
- Legally Blonde Jr
- We Will Rock You
This training prepared him for his breakthrough television role alongside co-stars including Lox Pratt as Jack and Winston Sawyers as Ralph, with Line of Duty's Daniel Mays appearing in a supporting role as a police officer.
Audience Reactions to the Adaptation
Since its release on BBC iPlayer, this new interpretation of Lord of the Flies has generated intense reactions from viewers. Described by Reddit users as "pretty dark" and "psychologically disturbing," the series has been noted for its graphic content including mutilated bodies and animal killings. The i Paper characterized it as a "scary, psychedelic assault on the senses," while The Guardian warned viewers would "feel sick throughout."
Despite the challenging content, praise has emerged for the young cast's performances, with social media users particularly highlighting the talents of the actors portraying Piggy and Jack. Series writer Jack Thorne has described the original novel as leaving "a scar on him like no other," while expressing hope that families would watch and discuss the adaptation together.
The complete series is available for streaming on BBC iPlayer, with episodes also airing on BBC One. David McKenna's journey from medical challenges to television stardom represents a remarkable intersection of personal resilience and artistic achievement in contemporary British television.
