With the arrival of the new adaptation of "Lord of the Flies" on the BBC, Jack Thorne's name is back in the spotlight.
Winner of five Bafta awards and often described as Britain's hardest-working writer, Thorne has penned some of the strongest TV dramas of the past two decades, in addition to his successes in theatre and film. He still has major projects ahead of him, from series for Channel 4 to Beatles biopics by Sam Mendes.
Here is a summary of his most important television works, ranked by impact and artistic value:
20. The Eddy (2020)
A musical experiment for Netflix, dark and ambitious, but one that fell short of expectations. Atmospheric, but confusing.
19. The Accident (2019)
Miniseries about a community in Wales after the tragic deaths of several teenagers. Honest in its message, but not entirely convincing in its execution.
18. Cast Offs (2009)
A daring mockumentary about people with disabilities "abandoned" on an island. Dark, provocative and unjustly forgotten.
17. Lord of the Flies (2026)
The first television adaptation of William Golding's classic novel. Minimalist in dialogue, strong in atmosphere and with impressive performances from young actors.
16. The Last Panthers (2015)
An international thriller about financial crime and gangs, elegant and tense, with a powerful cast.
15. His Dark Materials (2019–2022)
An ambitious attempt to bring Philip Pullman's trilogy to TV. Visually brilliant, with a brilliant, if not always magical, Ruth Wilson.
14. The Hack (2025)
An energetic account of the British wiretapping scandal. A playful tone that divided opinions, but bold in its approach.
13. Then Barbara Met Alan (2022)
Dramatization of a real legal battle for environmental justice. Emotionally strong and with compelling performances.
10. Glue (2014)
A rural crime drama in the style of "Broadchurch", revealing the dark side of idyllic England and introducing a new generation of actors.
9. The Fades (2011)
Dark and violent supernatural drama, Bafta winner, that became a cult favorite for fans.
8. Skins (2007–2009)
Although Thorne only wrote a few episodes, his contributions early on demonstrated an ability to tackle sensitive youth topics.
7. Cyrus (2018)
A humane and profound miniseries about the kidnapping of a little girl, exploring race, class and family. A huge success for Channel 4.
6. Help (2021)
The strongest drama of the Covid-19 pandemic: a harsh indictment of the way the most vulnerable have been treated. An episode shot in a 26-minute sequence is considered a masterpiece.
5. National Treasure (2016)
Inspired by real-life scandals, Robbie Coltrane shines as a TV star accused of sex crimes. A gritty and unforgettable moral drama.
4. Best Interests (2023)
An emotional confrontation about the rights of a disabled child. Sharon Horgan and Michael Sheen deliver extraordinary performances.
3. The Virtues (2019)
A poignant collaboration with Shane Meadows on the trauma of childhood abuse. Stephen Graham is shocking in the lead role.
2. Adolescence (2025)
A devastating drama about modern male anger and the influence of the online world. Each episode shot in a single take. Critics called it “television perfection.”
1. This Is England '86, '88, '90 (2010–2015)
The pinnacle of Thorne's career. The TV sequels to Shane Meadows' film created a powerful portrait of 80s–90s Britain. Painful, violent, sometimes funny, with characters that became part of the collective memory. A modern masterpiece of British television.
With this list, Jack Thorne confirms his status as one of the most important and courageous voices of contemporary television drama. /GazetaExpress/
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