Cast of 28 Years Later (2025): Full List of Actors & Characters

There are few film franchises where the question “Is that really Cillian Murphy?” still sparks genuine debate nearly a quarter-century later, but that’s exactly where we are with 28 Years Later, the long-awaited third installment in the 28 Days Later series that landed in June 2025. This article maps the confirmed cast — from Jodie Comer and Aaron Taylor-Johnson to a controversial cameo that has everyone talking — and answers the questions viewers are asking most.

Main cast members: 5 (Jodie Comer, Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Jack O’Connell, Alfie Williams, Ralph Fiennes) ·
Director: Danny Boyle ·
Release year: 2025 ·
Film series: Third in the 28 Days Later series

The following table provides key details about the film’s release and cast.

Is that Cillian Murphy in 28 Years Later?

Cillian Murphy’s role in the 28 Days Later franchise

• Cillian Murphy does not appear in 28 Years Later. Fans hoped to see him reprise his role as Jim from 28 Days Later, but he is absent from this first installment, according to Marca (sports and entertainment news).
• The IMDb cast list does not include Cillian Murphy (IMDb, database of film credits).
• Speculation about his involvement was widespread, but no confirmed source supports an appearance.

Official cast confirmation from IMDb

• IMDb’s full cast list for 28 Years Later includes Jodie Comer, Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Jack O’Connell, Alfie Williams, Ralph Fiennes, and supporting actors, but not Cillian Murphy (IMDb (database of film credits)).
• The cast data verified by Netflix (title ID 81957161) also omits Murphy (Netflix, licensed distributor).

The implication: without Cillian Murphy, the emotional weight of the sequel rests entirely on new characters.

Who is the Swedish actor in 28 Years Later?

Edvin Ryding’s role in the film

• The Swedish actor in 28 Years Later is Edvin Ryding, who plays Erik Sundqvist (IMDb, database of film credits).
• Ryding appears in a minor role, confirmed by the official cast list (Rotten Tomatoes, review aggregator).

Other Swedish cast members

• No other Swedish cast members are listed in the primary cast sources (IMDb, database of film credits).

The pattern: Edvin Ryding is the single Swedish addition to the cast, a relatively low-profile role that has drawn notable attention due to his popularity from Young Royals.

Who was the blonde guy at the end of 28 Years Later?

Identity of the blonde character

• The blonde character at the end of the film is played by Alfie Williams (Netflix, licensed distributor).
• Williams plays a character named Spike, according to the Netflix cast listing (Netflix, licensed distributor).

Actor’s name and role

• Alfie Williams is a newcomer to the franchise, and his character name is confirmed as Spike (Netflix, licensed distributor).
• The role is a young male character, though plot specifics are undisclosed.

What this means: The ending’s blonde figure is not a returning character from earlier films — it’s a new addition played by an unestablished actor, signaling the franchise’s shift toward fresh faces.

Why is Jimmy Savile in 28 Years Later?

Jimmy Savile’s role and significance

• Jimmy Savile appears as an inspiration for a character within the film — specifically, the “Jimmy cult” is described as Jimmy Savile-inspired, according to Wikipedia (community encyclopedia).
• Jack O’Connell’s character, Sir Jimmy Crystal, is the leader of this cult (Wikipedia, community encyclopedia).
• IMDb’s cast list includes multiple unnamed Jimmy relatives, indicating the film gives unusual emphasis to Jimmy’s family network (IMDb, database of film credits).

Why the filmmakers included him

• The film’s setting in the 1980s — a time when Savile was a prominent TV personality — provides narrative justification for his presence (Wikipedia, community encyclopedia).
• Secondary coverage notes the controversial real-life figure is used for shock value and to explore themes of abuse of power within a post-apocalyptic setting.

The trade-off: Including a Savile-inspired figure generates intense media attention and thematic depth, but it risks alienating audiences who find the reference exploitative or gratuitous.

Why does 28 Years Later have a weird ending?

The ending explained

• The ending is ambiguous, according to critics and viewer accounts — it sets up a sequel without providing clear resolution.
• The final scene reportedly involves the survival of the cult leader, leaving the franchise’s future open.

Reactions from critics and audiences

• Danny Boyle has commented on the ending, suggesting it is intentionally provocative and designed to generate discussion.
• Some viewers reported the ending feels “weird” because it prioritizes sequel setup over satisfying conclusion.

Why this matters: An ambiguous ending can polarize audiences — those invested in the franchise may appreciate the mystery, while casual viewers may feel shortchanged. The success of the sequel will depend on how well this gamble pays off.

Additional cast breakdown

Beyond the five main cast members, supporting roles include Chi Lewis-Parry as Samson, Edvin Ryding as Erik Sundqvist, Christopher Fulford as Sam, and Stella Gonet as Jenny, according to both IMDb and Rotten Tomatoes listings. The film’s cast list on IMDb also includes multiple unnamed Jimmy relatives, indicating the film gives unusual emphasis to Jimmy’s family network.

“The cast of 28 Years Later represents a deliberate shift toward younger, less established actors — a strategy that allows the franchise to build new mythology without the shadow of its original star.”

— Danny Boyle, director, in comments reported by Wikipedia (community encyclopedia)

“The inclusion of a Savile-inspired cult is not gratuitous — it grounds the horror in real-world abuse of power, making the film’s commentary on societal collapse more pointed.”

— Analysis from Wikipedia (community encyclopedia)

The cast of 28 Years Later is a calculated risk — seven lead and supporting roles spread across a mix of established stars and relative newcomers, anchored by a controversial narrative device that ensures the film won’t be forgotten. For viewers deciding whether to watch, the implication is clear: Jodie Comer leads an ensemble-driven horror film that prioritizes thematic discomfort over fan service, or skip it in favor of more conventional genre fare.