The Infected Are Back: Meet The All-Star Cast Of '28 Years Later' And The Original Stars Returning

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The long-awaited return to the post-apocalyptic world of the 'Rage Virus' is finally upon us, and the cast for the new installment, 28 Years Later, is nothing short of an all-star line-up. As of December 2025, the film has officially wrapped production and is set for a major 2025 release, bringing back the creative powerhouse duo of director Danny Boyle and writer Alex Garland. This new chapter promises to revitalize the zombie horror genre with a fresh, high-caliber ensemble cast, blending new heroes and villains with the surprising return of a franchise original. The excitement is palpable as this film kicks off a planned new trilogy, focusing on a world three decades after the initial outbreak.

This highly-anticipated sequel not only introduces new characters facing a terrifyingly persistent threat but also serves as a direct continuation and expansion of the universe established in 28 Days Later and 28 Weeks Later. The confirmed actors bring significant dramatic weight and star power, ensuring that the film will be one of the biggest cinematic events of the coming year. Here is a deep dive into the confirmed cast, their roles, and the incredible careers that led them to this landmark horror franchise.

The New Faces of the Apocalypse: Confirmed Main Cast and Character Profiles

The core of 28 Years Later is built around three of the most acclaimed actors working today. Their involvement signals a serious commitment to prestige horror, elevating the film beyond a typical sequel. The confirmed leads are set to portray characters navigating the brutal, infected landscape almost three decades after the initial epidemic.

Jodie Comer: Isla

  • Role in 28 Years Later: Isla, a central figure in the new narrative, described as Jamie's wife who is battling a mysterious illness.
  • Date of Birth: 11 March 1993 (Age: 32 as of 2025).
  • Career Highlights: An English actress renowned for her versatility and intense performances. She achieved global fame and won a Primetime Emmy Award and a BAFTA for her role as the psychopathic assassin Villanelle in the series Killing Eve. Other notable works include the film The Last Duel and her Tony Award-winning performance in the play Prima Facie.

Aaron Taylor-Johnson: Jamie

  • Role in 28 Years Later: Jamie, a scavenger and Isla’s husband, who is likely a survivalist figure in the ravaged world.
  • Date of Birth: 13 June 1990 (Age: 35 as of 2025).
  • Career Highlights: An English actor known for his diverse roles, from the title character in the superhero film Kick-Ass to his Golden Globe-winning performance in the neo-noir thriller Nocturnal Animals. He has also starred in major blockbusters like Avengers: Age of Ultron and Bullet Train.

Ralph Fiennes: Confirmed Lead

  • Role in 28 Years Later: His specific character details are currently under wraps, but he is confirmed as one of the three main leads, suggesting a pivotal, high-stakes role. Given his history, he could portray a complex military figure, scientist, or a powerful survivor.
  • Date of Birth: 22 December 1962 (Age: 62 as of 2025).
  • Career Highlights: A highly respected English actor, producer, and director, known for his distinguished stage and screen career. He is a two-time Academy Award nominee, with his breakout role as the menacing Nazi commandant Amon Göth in Schindler’s List. He is also famous for playing Lord Voldemort in the Harry Potter film series and M in the James Bond films.

Jack O’Connell: Confirmed Cast Member

  • Role in 28 Years Later: Confirmed as part of the ensemble cast, with some sources naming his character as Sir Jimmy Crystal in the sequel, The Bone Temple.
  • Career Highlights: English actor known for his intense and gritty performances in films like Starred Up, '71, and Angelina Jolie’s Unbroken.

Alfie Williams: Spike

  • Role in 28 Years Later: Spike, a character who is also mentioned to appear in the second installment, The Bone Temple, indicating a significant role across the new trilogy.

The Rage is Back: Returning Cast and Franchise Connections

One of the most exciting aspects of 28 Years Later is the bridge it builds to the original 2002 classic, 28 Days Later. The franchise creators have confirmed the return of key elements and, most significantly, the involvement of the original film's star, Cillian Murphy, promising a truly surprising and impactful connection.

Cillian Murphy: Returning Star and Executive Producer

  • Role in 28 Years Later: Cillian Murphy, who played the protagonist Jim in the first film, is confirmed to be returning in a "surprising way" for at least the first installment of the new trilogy. He is also serving as an executive producer. This dual role suggests his influence will be felt both on and off-screen.
  • Date of Birth: 25 May 1976 (Age: 49 as of 2025).
  • Career Highlights: Irish actor who achieved global recognition with his breakout role in 28 Days Later, which kickstarted his career. He is a frequent collaborator with Christopher Nolan, starring in the Dark Knight Trilogy, Inception, and winning the Academy Award for Best Actor for his portrayal of J. Robert Oppenheimer in Oppenheimer. His role as Tommy Shelby in the series Peaky Blinders also cemented his status as a leading dramatic talent.

Other Returning Entities and Characters

The commitment to continuity extends beyond the main star. The film is set to bring back characters that deepen the lore of the Rage-infected world:

  • Samson (Chi Lewis-Parry): Chi Lewis-Parry, who played the 'Alpha Infected' known as Samson in a previous iteration of the sequel, is confirmed to return in 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple. The presence of a named, recurring infected suggests a more evolved and organized threat.
  • Dr. Ian Kelson: Director Danny Boyle also confirmed the return of the character Dr. Ian Kelson, a figure likely connected to the origins or study of the Rage Virus, though the actor for this role has not been widely publicized.

The New Trilogy: Production Status and Future of the Rage Virus

28 Years Later is not just a standalone sequel; it is the beginning of an ambitious new trilogy, with its second part, 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple, already in production. This expansion of the franchise is a major development for the post-apocalyptic horror genre.

Creative Team and Production Timeline

The film sees the reunion of the original creative team, a major factor in the sequel’s high anticipation:

  • Director: Danny Boyle, who helmed the 2002 original, returns to direct the first film.
  • Writer: Alex Garland, who wrote the first film, pens the script, ensuring a consistent vision for the Rage Virus universe.
  • Sequel Director: The second film in the new trilogy, 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple, has a confirmed director: Nia DaCosta, known for her work on Candyman and The Marvels.

Filming and Release

In a surprising and efficient move, both 28 Years Later and its direct sequel, The Bone Temple, were filmed back-to-back. The main filming for both movies has already wrapped, putting the franchise on a fast track for release. The first installment, 28 Years Later, is officially scheduled for release in 2025, with the second film expected to follow shortly after.

Topical Authority and The Rage Virus Legacy

The original 28 Days Later (2002) is widely credited with revitalizing the zombie genre by introducing the concept of fast-moving, "infected" individuals driven by pure aggression—the Rage Virus. The new film, set 28 years later, will explore a world where the infection has persisted for almost three decades, forcing a new generation of survivors to adapt to a ruthlessly hostile environment. The thematic core will likely revolve around the long-term societal collapse, the evolution of the infected, and the moral compromises necessary for survival, a staple of the best post-apocalyptic narratives. With the combined talents of Jodie Comer, Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Ralph Fiennes, and the executive guidance of Cillian Murphy, 28 Years Later is positioned to be a definitive entry in the horror-thriller canon and a powerful launch for the new trilogy.

28 years later cast
28 years later cast

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