Greta Gerwig’s ‘Narnia’ and Netflix’s 13-Year-Old Star Makes Major Career Decision

Published 07/07/2026, 4:13 PM EDT

via Imago

David McKenna, the standout breakout performer who portrayed Netflix’s character of Piggy in the recent high-profile Lord of the Flies television adaptation, has officially signed with Creative Artists Agency. Following a masterful, critically acclaimed professional acting debut that captivated global streaming audiences, a remarkable young talent has officially secured representation with a premier talent agency.

This major industry signing comes right on the heels of an incredibly competitive global casting search.

David McKenna secures elite Hollywood representation

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According to Deadline, the 13-year-old actor, David McKenna, will portray the key character of Digory Kirke in the highly anticipated Netflix fantasy film, Narnia: The Magician's Nephew, directed by Greta Gerwig. The star-studded blockbuster is scheduled to debut globally on February 12, 2027. CAA represents the core creative forces behind the film.

Legendary casting director Nina Gold selected him out of a massive pool of 7,000 young hopefuls to secure his career-launching role in Lord of the Flies. The acclaimed adaptation written by Jack Thorne quickly earned widespread critical praise, establishing the young actor as a major critical darling.

This spectacular performance subsequently earned him a prestigious Gotham Television Award nomination for Best Supporting Actor in a Limited Series. Following this initial television success, the young performer has already lined up his next massive cinematic project, as reported by Deadline.

Stephen King Sings Praises for Netflix’s 'Lord of the Flies' for Nailing the Horror and Mystery

Discover how a unique open audition tape permanently transformed this theatre-loving child into a symbol of civilized order.

From theatre enthusiast to the heart of a dystopian masterpiece

According to The Wrap, in the original literary classic, Lord of the Flies, Piggy operates as the vital anchor of logic and civilization among the stranded schoolboys. To embody this intellectual character, the production required an actor capable of projecting profound emotional depth. David McKenna, a dedicated theatre enthusiast who began taking drama classes at age 4, discovered the open casting call through his mother.

The initial audition replaced a standard script with an imaginative situational question regarding ideal island companions.

"It said, if you were stranded on a tropical island, who would you want to be stranded with?" McKenna recalled. His clever response, naming the musical theatre performers from Les Misérables, immediately captured the attention of the casting department of The Lord of the Flies.

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After advancing through intensive chemistry tests, he developed a deep professional bond with co-star Winston Sawyers, who portrays Ralph. By signing with Creative Artists Agency after his historic, award-nominated debut, David McKenna has permanently cemented his status as Hollywood's newest elite young talent.

Netflix Acquires ‘Lord of the Flies’ As Sony Lands Multiple Deals for Jack Thorne Drama

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What do you think about David McKenna's new role in Narnia: The Magician's Nephew? Let us know in the comments.

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Soma Mitra

1532 articles

Soma is a journalist at Netflix Junkie. With a postgraduate degree in Mass Communication, she brings production experience from documentary films like Chandua: Stories on Fabric. Covering the true crime and docu-drama beat, she turns psychological thrillers into sharp, audience-aware storytelling.

Edited By: Hriddhi Maitra

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