Rising Star Lox Pratt Explores Depth in Villainous Roles as Jack and Draco
When you tune into the BBC's adaptation of Lord of the Flies, keep your eyes on emerging child star Lox Pratt. The 14-year-old actor has quickly become one of the most promising names in British television and film, securing not one but two major villainous roles: Jack in Lord of the Flies and Draco Malfoy in HBO's upcoming Harry Potter reboot. In an exclusive interview, Pratt reveals his mission to showcase the hidden complexities of these iconic literary bullies.
Mastering Complex Antagonists
Lox Pratt is already demonstrating a remarkable ability to portray nuanced antagonists, with filming for Draco Malfoy's first season currently underway. "Both characters have far more going on beneath the surface than initial impressions suggest," Pratt explains. "While they are undoubtedly villains, there is a depth to them that allows me to explore rich emotional territory. Acting and storytelling are my passions—I think about them constantly throughout the day. It's an incredible privilege to work on such iconic roles so early in my career."
For those unfamiliar, in William Golding's 1954 novel—adapted for television by Adolescence co-creator Jack Thorne—Pratt's character Jack is one of the schoolboys stranded on a deserted island. He incites chaos and fear by forming a rival group in their brutal struggle for survival, clashing violently with de facto leader Ralph (played by Winston Sawyers) and his ally Piggy (David McKenna), leading to heart-pounding, murderous consequences.
Beyond the Bully Persona
"There's a simplistic interpretation of Jack as merely a bully, but that's only a fraction of who he truly is," Pratt asserts. To prepare, he studied other charismatic villains like Tommy Shelby in Peaky Blinders and Malcolm McDowell's performance in If…. "Both the older and younger boys on the island want to please him and follow his lead. Jack himself craves recognition as a strong leader. He's a multifaceted character, which made him fascinating to portray."
Pratt elaborates that Jack offers an alternative to Ralph's endless planning and Piggy's rule-making. "He transforms a catastrophe into an adventure, simplifying a complicated situation: swim, hunt, and have fun. In Jack Thorne's script, he possesses a sparkle and immense charisma that I strived to capture on screen." Although Pratt describes himself as "completely different" from Jack, he found it exciting to amplify his own confidence into arrogance for the role.
Filming Challenges and Inspirations
With guidance from Thorne and director Marc Munden, Pratt has developed a profound understanding of the character. "I examined iconic charismatic villains like Tommy Shelby and Malcolm McDowell—they have depth and interiority that felt essential. They exude swagger and command screen presence far beyond their physical stature."
Filming took place on Langkawi island in Malaysia, where Thorne balanced work on both Adolescence and Flies, bringing his "infectious enthusiasm and energy" to the set. Pratt also praised director Marc Munden, recalling intense moments in the jungle surrounded by blazing fires and storms, with conversations on beaches and cliff faces. "It was challenging at times, but Marc remained kind, focused, and calm—no easy feat when directing 30 boys!"
One warm-up routine involved Munden challenging Pratt by saying, "You aren't chief," to which Pratt would yell back, "I am chief!" This helped him connect deeply with Jack's mindset. The island setting felt familiar yet exotic to Pratt, who grew up in Cornwall near the beach. "Langkawi was mind-blowing, surrounded by dusky leaf monkeys, scorpions, and tarantulas. They even snuck into our meal tents, causing chaos more than once!"
Emotional and Physical Demands
The show features physically and emotionally daunting scenes. Pratt highlights a pivotal moment when Jack, called a "failure" by Ralph, breaks down in tears, revealing a vulnerable side. "It required preparation with our acting coach Tommy to enter that headspace, and a real sense of letting go in the moment. This scene offers a new window into Jack, showing the side he's tried hard to hide. After big scenes, diving into the ocean to snorkel or surf was crucial to unwind."
Pratt is particularly proud of his scenes with Simon (played by Ike Talbut), describing their relationship as "one of the saddest and most striking parts of the adaptation." He hopes audiences will see beyond a simple right-and-wrong narrative. "The characters are complicated. There's more to the story than readers might remember."
Future Aspirations and Upcoming Projects
Already looking ahead, Pratt has filmmaking aspirations inspired by industry giants like James Cameron and Chloe Zhao. For now, he's focused on his role as Draco Malfoy, with eight seasons of television planned. "I'm excited we get to expand on these characters," he says, teasing that season one will offer glimpses into Draco's backstory and family, shedding light on his persona.
Whether as Jack or Draco, these beloved—or reviled—characters are in capable hands, brought to life with unprecedented depth by Lox Pratt. Lord of the Flies airs at 9pm on BBC One every Sunday, with the full boxset available on iPlayer.
