Jack Thorne's Television Legacy: A Countdown of His 20 Best Shows
Jack Thorne, hailed as one of Britain's hardest-working writers, has crafted an astonishing portfolio of TV dramas over the past two decades. With a quintuple Bafta-winning career spanning plays, films, and screenwriting, his influence on homegrown television is undeniable. As his new BBC adaptation of Lord of the Flies arrives, we delve into his 20 most impactful TV projects to date.
20. The Eddy (2020)
A rare misfire in Thorne's repertoire, this Netflix musical drama, directed by Damien Chazelle, explored a bereaved jazz pianist in Paris. Despite its multilingual dialogue and moody atmosphere, it struggled with coherence, leaving audiences somewhat perplexed.
19. The Accident (2019)
This Channel 4 miniseries depicted a south Wales community's quest for justice after a tragic explosion. While rousing in its themes, it was hampered by inconsistent accents and a sluggish courtroom finale, though Thorne later refined similar narratives in Toxic Town.
18. Cast Offs (2009)
An unjustly forgotten Channel 4 mockumentary, this series followed six disabled individuals on a remote island reality show. Its dark humour and transgressive storytelling, particularly in flashback sequences, offered a bracing critique of societal norms.
17. Lord of the Flies (2026)
Thorne reunites with director Marc Munden for this first-ever TV adaptation of William Golding's classic novel. Emphasising unsettling atmospherics over dialogue, it shines through brilliant performances, notably David McKenna as Piggy, capturing the novel's primal tensions.
16. The Last Panthers (2015)
This Sky Atlantic thriller delved into international crime with a diamond heist at its core. As a trilingual Euro-pudding, it managed to thrill audiences, bolstered by stars like Samantha Morton and a haunting David Bowie theme.
15. His Dark Materials (2019-2022)
Adapting Philip Pullman's epic trilogy was no small feat. This HBO/BBC co-production, while visually stunning and well-acted—with Ruth Wilson's Mrs Coulter standing out—sometimes lacked the magical essence of the source material, yet surpassed previous film attempts.
14. The Hack (2025)
An ITV romp chronicling the News International phone hacking scandal, this series featured David Tennant as Guardian journalist Nick Davies. Its galloping pace and playful tone, including a controversial Harry Hill cameo, divided critics but entertained many.
13. Then Barbara Met Alan (2022)
Co-written with Genevieve Barr, this BBC drama celebrated the true story of cabaret performers whose activism led to the 1995 Disability Discrimination Act. Blending romance with activism, it broke barriers with its portrayal of disabled sex on mainstream TV.
12. Don’t Take My Baby (2015)
A heart-wrenching BBC Three drama based on real testimonies, it followed a disabled couple's custody battle for their newborn. Its emotional depth earned it a Bafta for best single drama, highlighting Thorne's skill in factual storytelling.
11. Toxic Town (2025)
This Netflix miniseries dramatised the Corby toxic waste scandal, dubbed "the British Erin Brockovich." With compelling leads like Jodie Whittaker, it powerfully depicted mothers fighting a council cover-up over birth defects, showcasing Thorne's knack for social justice narratives.
10. Glue (2014)
E4's rural whodunnit exposed dark secrets in the Berkshire countryside after a Romany boy's murder. Featuring rising stars like Callum Turner and Phoebe Waller-Bridge, it blended mystery with gritty realism, appealing to a young audience.
9. The Fades (2011)
A Bafta-winning BBC Three supernatural drama, it followed a student who could see vengeful spirits. Tense and gory, with a strong cast including Daniel Kaluuya, it offered a haunting exploration of life and death.
8. Skins (2007-2009)
Though a smaller contributor, Thorne's episodes in this landmark E4 teen drama demonstrated his deft handling of controversial issues and understanding of youth, influenced by showrunner Bryan Elsley.
7. Kiri (2018)
This Channel 4 hit centred on the abduction of a Black girl in foster care, with Sarah Lancashire delivering a mesmerising performance as her social worker. It tackled race and class with nuance, becoming a breakout success with millions of viewers.
6. Help (2021)
The best of the lockdown dramas, this blistering indictment of pandemic failures featured Jodie Comer and Stephen Graham in a care home setting. Its harrowing single-take sequence, directed by Marc Munden, was a masterclass in tension and emotion.
5. National Treasure (2016)
Inspired by Operation Yewtree, this Bafta-winning miniseries starred Robbie Coltrane as an accused gameshow host. With devastating performances from Julie Walters and Andrea Riseborough, it explored themes of memory, truth, and celebrity power.
4. Best Interests (2023)
A BBC miniseries tackling disability issues, it featured Sharon Horgan and Michael Sheen as parents fighting for their daughter's medical care. Urgent and moving, it resonated with real-life cases like Archie Battersbee's.
3. The Virtues (2019)
Collaborating with Shane Meadows, Thorne crafted this Channel 4 drama about repressed childhood trauma, with Stephen Graham in a heartbreaking role. Niamh Algar co-starred, and PJ Harvey's soundtrack added depth to this painful yet masterful story.
2. Adolescence (2025)
Co-created with Stephen Graham, this Netflix four-parter examined the deadly consequences of online life, filmed in continuous takes. With bravura performances and a global impact, it was hailed as near-perfect television, addressing modern male rage with devastating effect.
1. This Is England ’86, ’88 and ’90 (2010-2015)
Topping the list, these TV sequels to Shane Meadows' film blended romance and violence against a backdrop of Thatcher's Britain. With an evocative soundtrack and beloved characters, they form a modern masterpiece, with rumours of a final instalment still circulating.
Lord of the Flies premieres on 8 February on BBC One, with all episodes available on iPlayer, continuing Thorne's legacy of bold and moving television.
