It’s been almost three decades since the rage virus first turned London into a nightmare—and now, the world of 28 Days Later is back, grittier and more emotionally raw than ever. Directed by Danny Boyle (yep, the OG himself) and penned by Alex Garland, 28 Years Later is more than just a sequel… it’s a generational reckoning. So, if you’re wondering who’s who in this new survival horror epic, here’s your ultimate, no-nonsense cast & character breakdown
What’s the Story This Time?
The rage virus hasn’t gone away. It’s just been walled off—literally. The surviving British population now lives on a massive quarantined island, sealed off from the mainland by a colossal causeway. No crossings. No exceptions.
That is… until Jamie (Aaron Taylor-Johnson) decides to defy the rules and take his young son Spike (played by newcomer Alfie Williams) across the water. He’s searching for answers. Maybe even hope. What he finds? Cults, mutated infected, a fractured past, and secrets that threaten to rip open the scars of humanity.
28 Years Later (2025) Cast & Character Guide
Aaron Taylor-Johnson as Jamie
Jamie is our reluctant hero—a former soldier, a father just trying to do the right thing, and a man carrying way too many regrets. He’s lived his whole adult life behind the causeway, haunted by what was lost.
You’ll recognize Aaron from Kick-Ass, Bullet Train, Tenet, and his upcoming Marvel turn as Kraven the Hunter. But here, he’s giving full emotional range: wounded, angry, desperate, and quietly hopeful. Think Joel from The Last of Us—but British, and maybe more likely to punch a cult leader in the face.
Jodie Comer as Isla
Isla is Jamie’s wife—or was. When Jamie brings Spike to find her, it’s clear she’s not the woman he once knew. Isla has memory loss, possibly trauma-induced, and she’s living under the care of a mysterious survivor.
Jodie Comer (Killing Eve, The Last Duel) delivers that perfect mix of vulnerability and quiet strength. Even when Isla’s unsure of who she is, you can feel something steely underneath. Plus, her chemistry with Aaron gives the film its emotional heartbeat. Prepare to cry. A lot.
Alfie Williams as Spike
Every apocalypse story needs a kid to remind us what’s at stake—and Spike is that kid. He’s 12, fiercely curious, and way braver than most adults.
Played by fresh face Alfie Williams, Spike isn’t just “the child character.” He’s the emotional center of the film. It’s through his eyes that we re-experience the horror of the infected world, and his relationship with Jamie and Isla is what ties this whole messy human journey together.
Ralph Fiennes as Dr. Ian Kelson
Ah yes, the “is he trustworthy or terrifying?” wildcard. Dr. Kelson is a mysterious scientist/survivor caring for Isla on the mainland. But like most scientists in post-apocalyptic stories, he knows more than he’s letting on.
Ralph Fiennes brings gravitas and menace in equal measure. He’s not Voldemort here, but there’s definitely something unnerving in how calm he is while the world burns. Think of him as the Hannibal Lecter of virology—quiet, refined, and maybe a little too in control.
Jack O’Connell as Sir Jimmy Crystal
Sir Jimmy Crystal is the self-proclaimed messiah of a survivor cult that’s taken over part of the mainland. He’s equal parts charismatic, brutal, and completely unhinged.
O’Connell (Skins, ’71) thrives in roles where the character could either save you or stab you depending on the day. He plays Jimmy like a rockstar preacher with a shotgun—magnetic but volatile. You can’t look away, even when he’s being utterly despicable.
Erin Kellyman as Jimmy Ink
Yes, the cult has lieutenants—and Jimmy Ink is one of them. Erin Kellyman (who you’ll know from Solo and The Falcon and the Winter Soldier) gives this character a layered performance: she’s loyal, but conflicted. Dangerous, but not heartless.
She brings complexity to what could’ve been a one-note villain. You get the sense that she didn’t sign up to be evil—but now she’s too deep to back out.
Edvin Ryding as Erik Sundqvist
We love an international angle, and Erik delivers. A Swedish NATO soldier who finds himself dropped into the madness, Erik is trying to hold on to rules, protocol, and sanity.
Ryding (Young Royals) plays him with that Scandinavian coolness—but it’s tested by the chaos he’s thrown into. He’s a reminder that the rage virus isn’t just a UK problem anymore—it’s a global threat.
Chi Lewis-Parry as “The Alpha”
Here’s where things get scary. “The Alpha” is a new breed of infected—smarter, faster, and terrifyingly organized. This isn’t your average screeching zombie. He leads. He plans. He hunts.
Played by MMA fighter Chi Lewis-Parry, The Alpha is the physical embodiment of evolution gone wrong. And when he shows up, you’ll feel the tension spike through the roof.
Emma Laird as Jimmima
Part of Sir Jimmy’s inner circle, Jimmima is eerie in that “calm and smiling while the world burns” kind of way. Emma Laird (Mayor of Kingstown) brings a quiet menace to the role. She doesn’t speak much—but when she does, everyone listens.
She’s like a cult princess raised in post-apocalyptic hell. Think Arya Stark meets Midsommar.
Supporting Cast Highlights
- Danny Boyle is back in the director’s chair, and Alex Garland wrote the script—so you know this isn’t just a sequel for sequel’s sake. It’s a passion project.
- This is the first part of a brand-new trilogy. The next entry, The Bone Temple, is already shot and directed by Nia DaCosta (Candyman, The Marvels).
- Filming locations include the haunting landscapes of Northumberland and Yorkshire, giving the movie that bleak British beauty fans love.
- Some sequences were shot on iPhones and drones, adding a gritty, immediate feel that makes everything feel too real.
- Release date? June 20, 2025. Set your alarms. And maybe don’t watch it alone.
Final Thoughts: Should You Be Excited?
If you were obsessed with 28 Days Later and 28 Weeks Later, then 28 Years Later is the sequel you’ve been waiting way too long for. It’s intense, emotional, and seriously unsettling—in all the right ways. But what really makes this one hit different is that it’s not just recycling old zombie tricks.
Instead, it digs deeper. It asks those heavy, haunting questions—like what happens when trauma isn’t just a memory, but a way of life? When surviving becomes the only culture you know?
Also Reads: 28 Years Later 2025 Parents Guide
