Every 28 Years Later Surviving Character That Could Return for the Third Movie

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The announcement of 28 Years Later excited fans not just because it reunited writer Alex Garland and director Danny Boyle, but because it wasn’t intended to be a single film. Plans were immediately made for a trilogy of sequels to the 2003 hit 28 Days Later. Now, two years after the original announcement, two of those films are out, and anticipation for the third is already building.

With a third film in the 28 Years Later series on the way, fans are wondering who will be back. Considering the high death toll across the four movies already released, the number of potential returning characters is quite limited – small enough, in fact, that we can list them all. This raises another question: how many of these characters will actually appear in the new film? Be warned: spoilers for 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple are ahead.

11) Jim (Cillian Murphy)

It’s now confirmed that Cillian Murphy will return in the next 28 Years Later film. He recently reprised his role as Jim in 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple, and we already knew he’d have a significant part in the third movie. His appearance in The Bone Temple hinted at a more developed character, revealing unexpected depths to Jim’s personality – including that he’s a scholar of World War II history and still eager to help others. Considering how much fans love the original 28 Days Later, it’s surprising to learn so much more about Jim’s background.

10) Selena (Naomie Harris)

The conclusion of 28 Days Later showed that Jim wasn’t the sole survivor; Naomi Harris’ character, Selena, also made it through. Selena’s strength and determination established her as a standout horror heroine of the 2000s, and fans are hoping to see her story continue. While she doesn’t appear in the last scene of The Bone Temple, the ending suggests she’s still alive.

9) Hannah (Megan Burns)

Hannah, another person who made it through the outbreak in 28 Days Later, appears with Jim and Selena at the end of the movie. It’s unclear if she’s still alive in The Bone Temple, but the story hasn’t explicitly shown her death, leaving the possibility for her return. However, the actress who played her, Megan Burns, has focused on her music career and may not be interested in acting again, though she could potentially reprise the role.

8) Tammy (Imogen Poots) and Andy (Mackintosh Muggleton)

While the ending of 28 Weeks Later hinted at a larger continuation in Europe, that idea was dropped by 28 Years Later. Despite this, the film clearly showed that two key characters, Tammy and Andy, lived. A potential issue with bringing them back is that Weeks explored the possibility of immunity to the Rage virus – something Years doesn’t seem to focus on now that a cure has appeared. Furthermore, the team making 28 Years Later isn’t keen on using characters from the previous film they weren’t involved in creating.

7) Jamie (Aaron Taylor-Johnson)

The film 28 Years Later ends with Jamie devastated: he’s lost his wife and his son has left him. He’s now stuck in the community he once loved, but without anything to keep him stable. It’s a deeply sad moment, suggesting he’ll embark on a journey to find his son and potentially reconnect with the world beyond.

6) Spike (Alfie Williams)

While The Bone Temple features a strong cast, the overall story of the 28 Years Later series has always focused on Spike’s personal growth. Alfie Williams’ character has been central to both films so far, and considering how The Bone Temple ended, he’s almost certainly going to play a major role in the next installment.

5) Baby Isla

The third film in the 28 Years Later series will likely feature Baby Isla, a truly special character. Born to parents infected with the rage virus, Isla appears to be immune and represents a significant development within the story’s world. She’s also named after Spike’s late mother, adding a personal connection for Jamie and a unique role within the larger universe.

4) The Other Islanders

At the conclusion of 28 Years Later, the community on Holy Island remains intact, along with many other survivors who could reappear in future stories. This includes characters like Sam, a long-time friend of Jamie and Spike’s family, Jenny, a member of the leadership group, and Rosey, with whom Jamie was secretly having a relationship. The film’s ending leaves it uncertain whether Jamie and Rosey have resolved their issues and become a couple.

3) Jimmy Ink/Kelly (Erin Kellyman)

After escaping the abusive control of Sir Lord Jimmy Crystal in The Bone Temple, Jimmy Ink reveals her true name, Kelly, and flees with Spike. It appears Jim rescues them after the movie’s events. A key reason Kelly needs to return in the third film is that she’s endured a long period of mistreatment under a dangerous man who forced everyone to be called “Jimmy.” It would be incredibly powerful to see her reaction when she learns her rescuer’s name is simply, “Jim.”

2) Samson (Chi Lewis-Parry)

A standout aspect of 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple is the surprising development of the character Samson. He’s no longer just a powerful, imposing figure; the film gives him real depth and a compelling story arc. By the end, he’s been cured of the Rage Virus and has regained memories from both his childhood and even his time as an infected person – including important details like Dr. Kelson’s name. Having a former Alpha cured of the Rage is a significant twist for the series, leaving plenty of room for his story to continue.

1) Sam (Maiya Eastmond)

Jim isn’t the only one featured in the final scenes of 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple. The film also introduces his daughter, Sam, played by Maiya Eastmond. Sam’s presence suggests that Jim and Selena had a child sometime after the events of the first movie, and potentially that they weren’t rescued as previously thought.

A really interesting aspect of introducing Sam in The Bone Temple and hinting at her role in the next movie is the contrast she’ll create with Spike. It won’t be a difference in what they believe, but in how they grew up. Sam seems to have had a relatively normal upbringing for parents in their late 20s during the early 2000s, even within a post-apocalyptic UK. This is very different from Spike, who was raised on Holy Island, where life has become very traditional and people are assigned roles based on their abilities. Plus, Sam has a broader understanding of the world beyond their immediate surroundings, something Spike knows very little about, except for a brief experience with Swedish soldiers.

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2026-01-21 01:11