It’s a good thing Alfie Williams isn’t squeamish.
There’s plenty of reason for him to be. The young actor’s quite literally just turned 15 — on Jan. 3 — and, as something of a belated birthday present, is gearing up for the joyful experience of nonstop press about what will undoubtedly be an immediate horror hit, 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple.
Unsurprisingly, he’s a good sport about it. “You get to meet a lot of nice people and get asked pretty cool questions. Hopefully, some of them are different,” the Brit laughs about fielding queries on zombies and bloodshed. “It gets boring after a while — getting the same ones.”
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The franchise is, of course, the other potentially nausea-inducing part of Williams’ career so far. With the help of Adolescence star and British showbiz titan Stephen Graham, the teen was recommended to an agent a couple of years ago and put forward for a role that must have had his peers green with envy: Spike, the arrow-wielding protagonist at the helm of a new era for Danny Boyle and Cillian Murphy’s post-apocalyptic films.
It’s surely an experience most kids would dream of — dodging bloated, pus-oozing infected and (28 Years Later spoiler!) burning your mother’s cancer-stricken body to harvest her skull for an enormous bone memorial built by Ralph Fiennes (as Dr. Kelson). “I’m pretty used to all the blood and stuff,” Williams tells The Hollywood Reporter about his first big film set. So what does get him? “When things pop up out of nowhere!”
Expect some good ol’ jump scares from The Bone Temple, in theaters Jan. 16. The sequel (also written by Alex Garland) picks up where we left off in Danny Boyle’s 2025 installment and passes the torch to The Marvels filmmaker Nia DaCosta. Spike, having left the self-sufficient survivor community on an island off the coast of Northumberland, England, finds himself unwillingly caught up with a group of wig-wearing satanists led by Jack O’Connell’s depraved Sir Jimmy Crystal, whose appetite for torture has become downright insatiable since a global pandemic turned Britain into zombieland.
“It becomes a nightmare that he can’t escape,” says Williams, teasing what’s in store for audiences headed to see the film. “He’s stuck with this gang that, frankly, just creep him out. He has to get away for survival, and it puts people that he loves at risk.”
The northern English actor is as humble as they get — that thick Newcastle accent reliably swapping “my” for “me” — and, with the help of his parents, is keeping his feet firmly on the ground. But Williams is ready for the world to see The Bone Temple. Below, THR catches up with the young talent to talk fear and fame. He discusses being a “megafan” of a particular U.S. actor, dialing into Reddit chatter and fan theories about Spike’s future, and why DaCosta’s movie isn’t a typical zombie flick: “I mean, it is 28 Years Later. It’s iconic. [But] people need to realize things change.”
Shall we start with your introduction to acting? How old were you and how did you find yourself part of this franchise?
I was about eight when I first started acting. I got the inspiration from my dad, because he’s an actor, and I was just watching films and different things [like that]. I just [knew] I wanted to be an actor. And then I did a couple of little things — I did a film called Phallacy with Stephen Graham that never got released. And 28 Years was me first big role. It’s me baby. So that’s pretty much how I got into it. I mean, if I didn’t do Phallacy… I probably wouldn’t be where I am today. He recommended me to his agent, and then I got signed. It’s been one crazy ride.
Courtesy of Sony
Do you remember which films made you want to become an actor?
I said this in an interview I did with Danny [Boyle]. I think it was Superman with Christopher [Reeve]. When I watched that as a kid, I just thought it was awesome. Andrew Garfield is a big inspiration as well. I’m a massive fan of his.
Have you met him yet?
No. I would love to though! I admire his work. He’s absolutely amazing.
I’m very confident you’re going to meet him soon. Do you remember seeing 28 Days Later?
I watched it when I got the audition for 28 Years Later, and I just thought it was amazing. It scared [me] a lot. (Laughs.) But it felt good, you know? And I just knew it was something I really wanted to be a part of. It’s a great film.
Tell me about that moment you knew you’d be playing Spike.
I was sitting in my living room with my family, and then I got the call from the agent telling us that I got the part. And I mean, [it was] massive news. We were all so excited.
These two movies were filmed back-to-back, right?
Yeah, yeah. There was a two-week break after the first one and then we went straight into the second one. So it was pretty rough! (Laughs.) But it was fun.
I know you mentioned Phallacy with Stephen, but not everyone’s first big film set is with Danny Boyle, Alex Garland, Ralph Fiennes and Aaron Taylor-Johnson. Were you nervous?
One hundred percent. I was nervous at first. But they’re such lovely people — once you get to know them and realize that they’re your friends… It’s so much more comforting, you know? It made filming a lot easier.
Who did you end up spending the most time with?
Aaron maybe. I had a lot of scenes with Aaron, but I just valued the time I had with [all] the cast members.
Did anyone give you some advice, or was it more a case of watching how they work?
[Nodding.] That’s what I do. I just watch people and I kind of adapt to the way they act. I pick things up.
Obviously with The Bone Temple, Nia came and took over from Danny. What was that transition like? Did you notice a difference in their directorial styles?
Well, yeah. I mean, every, every director is unique, you know? Danny, he kind of let us direct sometimes. He wanted us to come up with stuff to make the scenes better. And Nia has just done an absolutely fantastic job with this film. It’s just great seeing their different styles.
For audiences going into this film, how would you describe where Spike leaves off in 28 Days Later, and what’s to come in The Bone Temple?
Well, it becomes a nightmare that he can’t escape. He’s stuck with this gang that, frankly, just creep him out! He has to get away for survival, and it puts people that he loves at risk… I’ve [already] seen people saying some stuff online: “Oh, please don’t die!”
Do you follow the hardcore fan theories on Reddit?
[Nods.] I’ve seen the Reddit community and I like looking through posts and stuff, seeing which theories are right and which are wrong.
How fun. Let’s talk about Jack, who has a minor role in the first part. But he really comes into his own as this one.
Jack’s performance in this film was absolutely amazing. He brings Jimmy to life. I love it.
To the point where I really don’t know who else could have played him. It made total sense. No spoilers, but some of your scenes together are a truly hard watch. What was filming them like?
It’s a completely different feel, and it did feel different on set a lot of times. And I think the franchise needs that, because you can’t keep repeating the same stuff and keeping the same feeling. It has to evolve — like the virus does in the film.
So true. There’s something very satisfying about looking at the social ramifications of the infection under a microscope. It’s ripe material for you guys.
Yeah, and it just shows the inhumanity of it all. How inhuman and psychotic these people are, the trauma they went through, obviously, and as children growing up in this world, how it affected them. It’s all well-written, the Jimmys.
Did you talk to Alex or Nia about the inspiration behind the Jimmys, or do any research of your own into cults or sects?
I just see them as this gang, as you said a cult, that worships Jimmy, and I think Spike has this reaction to them. He just finds them weird, you know? He’s trying not to be as psychotic as them.
What did you find more difficult about filming The Bone Temple compared to the first movie?
That’s a tough one. The first film was definitely more active. I think there’s a lot of emotional scenes in this one, but they were equally challenging!
Do you have any favorite memories from filming?
It’s hard when you get these questions. You gotta rack your brain… Jack O’Connell sent a birthday message to me mum, and he was just saying hi and dancing for her and stuff. (Laughs.) He’s a really, really lovely person. He was playing guitar on set as well. That’s just reminded [me]. Everyone was just sitting down having lunch. He came into the tent, picked up a guitar and just started playing and singing. And it was like, “Jack O’Connell, man.”
Courtesy of Sony
What about Ralph Fiennes? That one particular scene with Ralph and the Jimmys must have been overstimulating in the best possible way.
I can’t say too much, but it’s so great when you work with Mr. Fiennes because he helps you get there. He’s still method, he’s focused, and he stays in the scene. I think I learned a lot from him doing that. And I think it came out good as a result.
Did you make friends with the fellow Jimmys?
Oh yeah! We’ve got a group chat on Instagram. Yeah, they’re lovely people and they did amazing in this film. Their acting is incredible.
What’s the group chat called?
The Fingers. (Laughs.) I’m not sure who came up with the name, but it’s great, isn’t it?
Do you ever get used to seeing the actors in costume and make up as the infected on set? Is it ever still as scary as the first time, or do you get used to it when you see them having lunch and whatnot?
Yeah, I think it becomes that. I wasn’t really scared of them. I found the prosthetics pretty cool, to be honest. And the makeup is fantastic. What I really love about them is the lenses. It’s hard to see out of them. So it’s amazing when the infected are sprinting down hills and stuff, and they can barely see! It’s such talent.
I’m assuming you’re not squeamish…
Not really. I did get afraid [at one point]. There’s a jump scare in the film that really got us, one of the first jump scares. I wasn’t expecting it.
How funny — do the jump scares stress you out more than the blood and the infected?
Yeah, I’m pretty used to all the blood and stuff, but it’s just when things pop up out of nowhere. I think it’s the tension as well. It builds when you know something’s coming, and then it pops out. That’s worse than not knowing, in my opinion.
Did you take any mementos from set? Did you take the blonde wig home? You can be honest.
(Laughs.) I didn’t take anything from The Bone Temple, but I did take the green jacket that Spike wears from the first one. But don’t tell costume.
Apart from an interest in green jackets, what do you think you and Spike have in common?
That’s a question I haven’t had before… I found with playing him in the first movie, he’s learning a lot of stuff, he’s got no idea what he’s doing. I guess I could kind of relate to that. With this being my first big film, I had no idea what I was doing most of the time. And he learns as he goes on, and by the end he’s grown into this person. I still haven’t grown yet, so I can’t relate to that. (Laughs.)
Was there anything about being on a big film set that took you by surprise at all?
Just for this film, there were a lot of midges [small insects that swarm in damp, humid conditions] where we were filming. We were filming in Kielder Forest [in the U.K.,] and that’s where it was really bad. You were getting bitten every five seconds. It was hell.
Oh, god. Did you not have bug spray?
We did, but the midges kept biting.
So you filmed in a lot of places across the U.K.?
Yeah. I’m trying to think where the Bone Temple is. North Yorkshire, that’s where that was. And I wasn’t expecting to see a set like that. Because it’s actually there. It’s huge, especially the temple in the middle.
None of that is digital, right?
It’s all real. That’s why I was shocked!
We spoke a little last year after 28 Years Later came out, but I’m curious to know what’s changed. How have the last nine months been in the public eye — an adjustment?
One hundred percent. I mean, it’s a weird adjustment. Because when I used to go to school and stuff, I’d come back and play my PlayStation. And now I’ll be waking up soon and going to a premiere. It’s crazy, but I love it. It’s great!
Has anyone approached you on the street yet?
Not yet. I did have one occurrence in a CEX shop, a game store. I went in, and this guy at the counter recognized [me]. He wanted a photo and stuff. I mean, it feels good!
I’ve gotta warn you, you’ll have more people coming up to you after The Bone Temple is out.
Yeah. I’ve just gotta keep my feet on the floor. I’ve gotta remember where I come from. And my family does a great job of keeping my head under the clouds.
Are you excited to see how people react to this one?
Yeah. I think some people just need to go with change, because this isn’t a typical zombie movie. They’re not zombies. It’s not like hordes of zombies chasing people and stuff. I mean, it is 28 Years Later. It’s iconic. [But] people need to realize things change.
Can you tell us anything about the third film?
I’ve got no idea about anything about the third one, to be honest. I’ve got as much knowledge as the public. (Laughs.)
Are you allowed to talk about any other projects you have in the pipeline?
I just did a film called Banquet with Meghann Fahy and Corey Mylchreest. That was really fun to be a part of. I can’t say too much, but I play a troubled young adult, and he’s just trying to fit back into this family who he doesn’t live with anymore. It’s a horror-slash-drama.
Would you want to stay in the horror genre? Are you keen to do comedy or action?
I kind of want to step away from it now. Maybe come back to it when I’m a bit older. But yeah, I think I’m all horror-ed out!
Do you have any favorite directors you’d love to work with one day?
It’d be great to work with James Cameron one day. Christopher Nolan. I love their films.
What about actors? Apart from Andrew Garfield, is there anyone you’ve not yet met you’d like to be in a film with?
I’m, like, a mega fan of Bryan Cranston’s. He’s my favorite actor. I just love how versatile he is, you know? I haven’t met him. I’d love to meet him. It’d be me dream. But also, J.K. Simmons, he’s done so much stuff and he’s great. I think it’s good to have people that you take inspiration off and obviously, watching people on TV, you can use some of their tricks to help yourself in acting.
Do you have a favorite movie of all time?
A Bryan Cranston film that I really like is Why Him? It’s not as popular as his other stuff, but that’s what makes it good. It’s so funny. James Franco, he’s in it as well. And it’s so funny, man. It’s amazing.
While I think of it, have you run into Owen Cooper? You two are really at the forefront of British child talent right now.
No, I haven’t met Owen. He got in touch after he’d seen 28 Years, and he congratulated [me]. But he seems like a nice guy.
I hope you get to meet at some point. How have you found doing press?
I enjoy it all. You get to meet a lot of nice people and get asked pretty cool questions, and hopefully, some of them are different, because it gets boring after a while — getting the same ones. (Laughs.)
Here’s one you’re gonna get a lot. How would you describe The Bone Temple in three words?
You know, before I do junkets and stuff in interviews, I sit in my room and ask myself questions and I asked myself this one and came up with a good answer. But I forgot it! [Thinking.] Skulls… Brutal… Terrifying.
28 Years Later: The Bone Temple is in U.K. theaters Jan. 14, and U.S. theaters on Jan. 16.
