Alfie Williams reflects on 28 Years Later debut and mentorship from Danny Boyle, Aaron Taylor-Johnson
British teen actor Alfie Williams is stepping into the spotlight with 28 Years Later, Danny Boyle's post-apocalyptic sequel to the cult classic 28 Days Later. Though only 14, Williams finds himself at the center of a massive genre film, playing Spike—a boy forced to grow up fast in a world still haunted by a deadly rage virus.
Williams, who hails from near Newcastle, is featured prominently in promotional materials, including atop a towering 'bone temple' built for the film. The visual spectacle mirrors the intensity of his character's arc. 'Spike's a young boy living with his parents on Holy Island. On his 12th birthday, his dad starts training him to survive the mainland,' Williams explains. That coming-of-age survival tale drives the film's emotional core.
Director Danny Boyle calls Williams 'hugely talented,' praising the young actor's growth on set. 'He benefitted from what was almost a guardianship from Aaron Taylor-Johnson, and later learned stillness and presence from Jodie Comer and Ralph Fiennes,' Boyle told Variety.
Though unfamiliar with Boyle's work at first, Williams caught up quickly, diving into 28 Days Later and Trainspotting. His commitment landed him the lead role after four audition recalls. He kept his natural accent and underwent archery training to embody Spike's transformation.
Filming was immersive, with minimal green screen. 'Everything was built—the bone temple was real. I had to climb it, fully harnessed,' Williams recalls. He also describes hiding from explosions and confronting eerily realistic infected on set.
Beyond the screen, Williams finds joy in comedy films and draws inspiration from his actor father, Alfie Dobson. With a second installment, The Bone Temple, due in January, Williams' journey is just beginning. Like 28 Days Later did for Cillian Murphy, 28 Years Later could mark the start of a major career.
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