Aaron Taylor-Johnson leads 28 Years Later cast as the highly-anticipated sequel hits cinemas this week, with Jodie Comer and Ralph Fiennes also joining as prominent new characters. Returning to the dark world envisioned by screenwriter Alex Garland and director Danny Boyle, the film picks up nearly three decades after the original, introducing a fresh cast of survivors barely managing to endure a world ravaged by a brutal virus.
A New Chapter in a Dystopian Legacy
In 2002, Alex Garland and Danny Boyle set a new standard for post-apocalyptic horror with 28 Days Later, introducing audiences to a UK overrun by a terrifying rage virus. The new film, 28 Years Later, continues this legacy by advancing the timeline, presenting survivors who have evaded infection and established a precarious existence on a remote island connected by a single guarded walkway to the mainland. These survivors, portrayed by a mix of established and rising talent, confront new levels of despair and hope as the virus’s legacy lingers.
This film not only revisits the franchise’s harrowing atmosphere but brings in franchise newcomers Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Jodie Comer, and Ralph Fiennes to embody three key survivors. Amid rumors swirling about original cast member Cillian Murphy potentially returning in a cameo or zombie role, The Guardian reported that the apparent Murphy sighting was actually newcomer Angus Neill, playing the haunting figure of the Emaciated Infected. Neill recounted how director Danny Boyle selected him for the eerie role, stating,
“Danny told me he’d always had me in mind for the role. So we met up, hit it off, and I agreed to take part.”
—Angus Neill. He further shared,
“On set he has an extraordinary ability to hypnotise you, and working with him on the film was a very, very intense experience.”
—Angus Neill.
Introducing the Main Cast and Characters
The central cast features a compelling group of newcomers and veterans in the franchise, each assigned critical roles within the survivors’ group:
- Jodie Comer as Isla
- Aaron Taylor-Johnson as Jamie
- Ralph Fiennes as Dr. Ian Kelson
- Alfie Williams as Spike
- Erin Kellyman as Jimmy Ink
- Edvin Ryding as Erik Sundqvist
- Chi Lewis-Parry as TBC
- Jack O’Connell as TBC
- Angus Neill as Emaciated Infected
Each actor steps into roles that reflect the psychological intensity and desperation of surviving in the world Alex Garland and Danny Boyle have crafted, from battling the infected to contending with isolation and loss.
Aaron Taylor-Johnson as Jamie
Jamie is presented as one of the leading human survivors living with his group on an isolated island in the UK. The island, cut off from the mainland by a heavily defended causeway, is the last bastion of safety for this community. Demonstrating courage and initiative, Jamie becomes the member who leaves the safety of the island, embarking on dangerous missions that expose him to new threats created by the virus’s enduring impact.
Taylor-Johnson is known to audiences for his dynamic roles as the title character in Kick-Ass, the memorable Pietro Maximoff in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, and parts in major films like Bullet Train, The Illusionist, Nocturnal Animals, and Tenet. His recent credits include standout performances in The Fall Guy and a forthcoming role in Nosferatu.
Jodie Comer as Isla
As the character Isla, Jodie Comer portrays both mother to Spike and wife to Jamie. Her role centers on both emotional depth and resilience, as Isla copes with protecting her family on the quarantined island while facing traumatic memories of the outbreak’s origins.
Comer’s prior work has earned critical acclaim, with prominent roles in films like The End We Start From, Free Guy, and The Last Duel, as well as standout television appearances in Killing Eve, The White Princess, and Help—demonstrating her range from intense drama to high-energy action.
Alfie Williams as Spike
Spike, portrayed by Alfie Williams, is introduced as the young son of Jamie and Isla. As one of the children growing up entirely in a post-virus world, Spike’s perspective is shaped by the island’s constraints and constant threats from outside. Williams has previously showcased his talent as Ghost Theo in the third season of His Dark Materials, a role that helped prepare him for the emotional demands of this dystopian narrative.
Ralph Fiennes as Dr. Ian Kelson
Dr. Ian Kelson, brought to life by Ralph Fiennes, is depicted as a doctor who has managed to survive for almost 30 years since the virus devastated the mainline population. His experience as a survivor and medical expert becomes pivotal to the group’s strategies for survival and potential resistance to the infection’s spread.
Fans recognize Fiennes from legendary roles such as Lord Voldemort in the Harry Potter saga, as well as multi-faceted characters in The English Patient, Schindler’s List, and The Grand Budapest Hotel. His blend of gravitas and psychological depth makes Kelson a key figure in the new film’s dynamic.
Supporting Characters and Performers
Alongside the main trio, several notable actors fill out the cast of survivors and adversaries. Edvin Ryding steps in as Erik Sundqvist, another human fighting to stay alive after the collapse of society. Ryding is best known as Prince Wilhelm from Netflix’s acclaimed Young Royals, bringing dramatic intensity to his role in the film.
Angus Neill, making his debut, transforms into the Emaciated Infected—a terrifying zombie that underscores the persistent danger of the virus. Neill balances his career as a British art dealer with modeling, and this role marks his striking entry into acting.
Erin Kellyman plays Jimmy Ink, a character whose details remain tightly under wraps but whose presence is expected to influence the group’s fate. Kellyman is recognized for standout roles in Solo: A Star Wars Story and The Green Knight, as well as appearances in The Falcon and the Winter Soldier, Les Misérables, and Willow on Disney Plus.
Jack O’Connell, another established actor, appears in a still-undisclosed role in the film. Known for his work in Lady Chatterley’s Lover, Unbroken, and television roles in Skins, SAS Rogue Heroes, and The North Water, O’Connell’s involvement, though modest in screen time, adds depth to the ensemble.
Chi Lewis-Parry, notable as a British MMA fighter and actor, has previously appeared in Gladiator II and Kraven the Hunter. His latest appearance in 28 Years Later has yet to have details about his role revealed, but his physical presence is expected to complement the film’s intense narrative.
Continued Influence of the Original and Anticipation for the Sequel
28 Years Later arrives with the heavy legacy of its acclaimed predecessor, inviting both longtime fans and new audiences into a world haunted by loss, violence, and the relentless threat of infection. With Danny Boyle and Alex Garland once again collaborating, the sequel is poised to expand on the emotional and psychological impact first explored in 28 Days Later, emphasizing the daily reality of survivors in a scarred landscape.
Key names like Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Jodie Comer, Ralph Fiennes, Jack O’Connell, and Erin Kellyman bring a mix of dramatic gravitas and fresh energy to the narrative. Familiar locations, such as the island quarantine zone and its precarious causeway, highlight the fragile division between safety and chaos.
The film also benefits from the contributions of talented actors such as Edvin Ryding, Molly Moss, and Alfie Williams, each offering nuanced performances that reflect the varied experiences of survival and trauma. The supporting cast, including Chi Lewis-Parry and Angus Neill, further establishes the franchise’s commitment to atmospheric realism and emotional depth.
As 28 Years Later launches in cinemas, fans and critics alike will be watching to see how Danny Boyle and Alex Garland continue to evolve the story’s themes and characters, with the new cast prepared to carve out their own place in the franchise’s dark, memorable universe.
