Where Was Lord of the Flies Filmed? Inside the Netflix Series' Stunning Locations

Malaysia Was the Heart of the Production

Filming took place primarily in Malaysia, and the production team reportedly spent about six months scouting locations before committing. They considered both Australia and Mauritius before ultimately landing on Langkawi, an archipelago of lush islands off Malaysia’s northwest coast.

The crew dealt with plenty of real-life survival conditions during filming, including tropical storms, shifting tides, snakes, spiders, and scorpions, which honestly feels very on-brand for a story about civilization unraveling. The shoot itself lasted roughly three months on location.

Director of photography Mark Wolf and director Marc Munden also developed a striking visual technique using infrared day-for-night photography. Because infrared cameras react strongly to green vegetation, the island foliage appears in surreal shades of pink and red, giving parts of the series a dreamlike, almost hallucinatory quality.

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Langkawi's Beaches Were the Boys' Island

The Langkawi archipelago served as the primary stand-in for the fictional tropical island where Ralph, Piggy, Jack, and the rest of the stranded boys fight for survival.

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Cawi Beach and Palm Point Beach became the two main stretches of sand seen throughout the series, effectively serving as the territory for the rival groups. The production also filmed at a location nicknamed Dead Tree Beach, along with sections of the island’s mangrove forests. According to the crew, it was the first major production to shoot in those mangroves, largely because the terrain is so difficult to access, with tidal mudflats and enormous exposed roots making equipment transport a logistical nightmare.

The 30-plus boys cast in the series were transported by speedboat to a remote island off Langkawi, where filming took place across mountain peaks, dense jungle, waterfalls, mangroves, and isolated beaches. Off camera, the experience sounded considerably less dystopian. Between shoots, the cast reportedly spent time swimming, fishing, and even organizing their own talent show. At one point, a monkey allegedly stole a cast member’s croissant, which feels like exactly the sort of detail that belongs in a tropical survival story.

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The Plane Crash Scene Was Shot at Duxford Airfield

The action isn't all tropical. Flashback scenes showing the boys departing England and the plane crash itself were filmed at Duxford Airfield, part of the Imperial War Museum in England. It's a well-known filming destination and gives those early scenes a grounded, period-appropriate feel.

St Albans Cathedral Stood In for the Boys' Choir School

A flashback scene in episode three showing Simon’s earlier life as a choirboy was filmed at St Albans Cathedral. Eagle-eyed viewers may also notice that his school uniform bears the crest of Bishop Wordsworth's School, the very school where William Golding taught English, philosophy, Greek, and drama from 1940 to 1961.

In a particularly thoughtful detail, the school reportedly helped the production locate a historically accurate version of the crest from Golding’s era, adding a subtle connection between the adaptation and the author’s own life.

Windsor Great Park Provided the English Countryside Backdrop

Episode four opens with a flashback of Ralph on a hunting trip with his father in the English countryside. Those scenes were filmed at Windsor Great Park, the sprawling royal estate just outside London.

The park has quietly become one of Britain’s go-to filming locations in recent years. It previously appeared in The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power and is also set to feature in the upcoming Avengers: Doomsday.

How Were the Young Actors Cast?

More than 7,000 boys reportedly responded to the open casting call overseen by acclaimed casting director Nina Gold. The final cast of around 30 boys, many making their screen debuts, ranged in age from five to fourteen.

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Director Marc Munden has spoken about the challenge of filming with first-time actors in demanding outdoor conditions, especially across jungles, beaches, mangroves, and tropical heat. Judging by the performances, the gamble seems to have paid off.

The series stars David McKenna as Piggy, Winston Sawyers as Ralph, Lox Pratt as Jack, Ike Talbut as Simon, and Thomas Connor as Roger.

Image Credit: Netflix

Whether you're a longtime fan of William Golding’s novel or discovering the story for the first time, it’s clear that the incredible real-world backdrops play a massive role in making this adaptation unforgettable. The stark contrast between the orderly English schools and the wild, dreamlike beaches of Langkawi perfectly sets the stage for the psychological drama to unfold.

All four episodes are now streaming on Netflix.

Frequently Asked Questions: Lord of the Flies Filming Locations

Where was Lord of the Flies filmed?

The series was filmed primarily in Langkawi, Malaysia, with additional scenes shot at Duxford Airfield, St Albans Cathedral, and Windsor Great Park in England.

Which beaches in Langkawi appear in Lord of the Flies?

Cawi Beach and Palm Point Beach are the two main locations, representing the home bases of the rival groups. The production also filmed on Dead Tree Beach and in the Langkawi mangroves.

Is Lord of the Flies on Netflix?

Yes. All four episodes are now streaming on Netflix.

Who wrote the Lord of the Flies adaptation?

The series was written by Jack Thorne, who also co-created Adolescence. It was directed by Marc Munden.

How were the young actors chosen?

Over 7,000 boys auditioned through an open casting call managed by casting director Nina Gold. Around 30 boys were ultimately selected, many of them making their acting debuts.

Where was the plane crash scene filmed?

The plane crash flashback was filmed at Duxford Airfield, part of the Imperial War Museum in England.

Where was the choir school flashback filmed?

The choirboy flashback in episode three was filmed at St Albans Cathedral in England. The costume team even used the real crest from Bishop Wordsworth's School, where author William Golding once taught.