Jodie Comer’s Shocking Reason for Joining 28 Years Later Revealed

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For approximately two and a half decades now, following an extended coma, Cillian Murphy’s character Jim (from a bike messenger), was revived in a London hospital. In the early 21st century cinematic landscape, Danny Boyle’s film “28 Days Later,” scripted by Alex Garland, who is known for writing “The Beach,” left an indelible mark with its gripping visuals. This movie showcased Murphy’s character Jim traversing an empty Westminster Bridge and Piccadilly Circus, where he learned that the city had been evacuated due to a virus outbreak, transforming people into enraged beings.

The movie in question was instrumental in launching numerous zombie films, including Zack Snyder’s remake of Dawn of the Dead and Edgar Wright’s comedy-zombie film Shaun of the Dead, as well as leading to a 2007 sequel, 28 Weeks Later, helmed by Juan Carlos Fresnadillo.

As a devoted film enthusiast, I find myself drawn back into the world of the undead with “28 Years Later”. Just like these reanimated beings, the franchise seems to have risen from its grave! The original visionaries are once again at the helm, but they’ve also brought in fresh talent. One such addition is Jodie Comer, who breathes life into the character of Isla – a resourceful survivor residing on Holy Island, off the northeastern coast of Britain. Here, amidst a community that has found ways to ward off the infected hordes now wreaking havoc on the mainland, she stands strong.

As a longtime admirer, I must confess that diving into this genre for the first time felt like stepping into a dream world, where the characters would guide me through their realm. The gap of two decades between Boyle’s previous films was an enticing factor, sparking my curiosity to witness how the filmmakers would employ that time and continue the narrative.

The actress openly shared her sense of intense excitement upon watching “28 Years Later” a fortnight ago. She described the experience as a rollercoaster ride of feelings, including fear, closeness, raw emotion, levity, and humor. It leaves you feeling invigorated and impacted in some way. In essence, she suggested that people crave this emotional tumult when they consume media content.

28 Years Later finds Comer’s character in poor health, forcing her husband Jamie (Aaron Taylor-Johnson) to escort their son Spike (Alfie Williams) on his inaugural mainland journey. The island they call home is separated from the mainland by a causeway that can only be crossed during low tide. On this excursion, young Spike encounters the infected for the first time and ends up taking his initial life, although events don’t unfold as expected.

In a recent statement, Comer praised Newcastle-born actor Williams, who had a minor role in the BBC series His Dark Materials. “He’s extremely self-assured,” she noted. “He has a strong intuition. Our dynamic is complex, as he frequently assumes the role of an older figure in our interaction.” At 14 years old, Williams is set to lead in the upcoming production, 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple, penned by Garland and slated for release in January 2026 under the direction of Nia DaCosta (Candyman).

Actor Ralph Fiennes is set to join, and his role in 28 Years Later finds him portraying Dr Kelson, a mainland survivor who constructs the Bone Temple – a macabre tower of skulls from those fallen victim to this deadly virus. According to Fiennes himself, his character appears to be a fusion of a priest and an installation artist.

Interestingly, Fiennes admitted that he hadn’t watched the original “28 Days Later” before meeting with Boyle, but instead did his research ahead of time. He expressed admiration for the first film, praising Boyle and his collaborator, Alex Garland, as a brilliant team with intelligent screenplays. Fiennes believed that the movie went beyond being just a horror genre film due to its numerous thought-provoking themes about violence, humanity, parental care, love, identity, and England’s role in it. He found the portrayal of England particularly intriguing.

The Bone Tower, situated near the River Ure in North Yorkshire, was its construction site. Fiennes commented, “It was a truly unique environment.” He explained, “The selection of this location infused it with an essence that perfectly resonated with the intended design.” If it aided the actors in embodying their roles, then the genuine authenticity of the ‘infected’ only added to the immersion. These weren’t mere extras; they were much more than that.

According to Comer, when they’re pursuing you, they’ve got their prosthetics and makeup on, which is convenient since it means you have to use your imagination less and can mostly respond instinctively.

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2025-06-19 20:04