Everyone at BSPA is incredibly proud to celebrate the success of our very own Lisburn AM pupil, David McKenna, who has landed roles in two major screen productions!
13-year-old David first landed the role of Piggy (Nicky) in the BBC’s adaptation of William Golding’s classic novel, The Lord of the Flies, a story that follows a group of boys trying to survive on a deserted island. The series was also picked up by Netflix for audiences in the United States!
David’s outstanding performance earned widespread praise and a nomination for Outstanding Supporting Performance in a Limited or Anthology Series at the 2026 Gotham Television Awards. He also won a Wavelength Award alongside director Jack Thorne in recognition of the production’s fresh interpretation of the story.
David’s journey to the screen began with an open casting call while on holiday with his family. What started as a self-tape recorded in Tenerife soon led to callbacks, rehearsals in London and eventually months of filming in the rainforests of Malaysia.
Speaking about the experience, David described it as “mental” – from filming in intense heat and tropical storms to staying in a jungle hotel surrounded by monkeys and lizards. Despite the challenges, it was an adventure he’ll never forget.
As if that wasn’t exciting enough, David has also been cast as Digory Kirke in Greta Gerwig’s upcoming adaptation of Narnia: The Magician’s Nephew, where he will appear alongside acclaimed actors Meryl Streep and Daniel Craig.
Watching former students achieve their dreams is always special for us. David’s dedication, talent and hard work have taken him from BSPA classes to major international productions, and he serves as a fantastic example of what young performers can achieve when passion meets opportunity.
Here at BSPA, we are committed to helping young people develop confidence, creativity and performance skills in a supportive environment. Congratulations, David – we are so proud of you and can’t wait to see what comes next!
