Child actor 'never thought' he would be cast in drama

A 14-year-old actor said he "never thought" he would be cast in a new BBC drama that was filmed overseas and thousands of miles from home.

Tom Page-Turner who lives near Honiton, Devon, plays Bill in Lord of the Flies series - the first ever TV adaptation of the novel written by Cornish author William Golding.

Speaking to BBC Radio Devon, Tom said filming for the series took place in Malaysia in 2024. "It looks great," he said. "I'm really happy with it."

His mum, Fiona, said her son had always shown an interest in acting, and added: "It's just amazing that he sort of found his passion in life."

Tom said casting agent Nina Gold did a "nation-wide search" which led to him landing the role of Bill. "I felt very accomplished," he said.

He said watching himself on TV was "weird", and added "I always think did I do that bit right?".

Fiona said she and her husband "tag-teamed" time in Malaysia while filming took place over five-months.

She said it was "amazing seeing it come to fruition after such a long time".

"The acting is incredible," she said. "We've really enjoyed watching it."

"It's wonderful when you see your children doing something they really enjoy."

Golding, whose first published novel was Lord of the Flies, was born in Newquay in 1911.

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