’28 Years Later’ Star Ralph Fiennes Teases “Out-There” Character in New Trilogy

We’re still five months out from the release of Danny Boyle’s 28 Years Later, but that isn’t stopping star Ralph Fiennes from teasing fans about what they can expect from his character of Dr. Kelson. In this case, audiences shouldn’t judge a book by its cover, as apparently there’s more to him than meets the eye in the highly anticipated sequel, which is set to release on June 20.

Speaking with Empire about the third film in Boyle’s epic post-apocalyptic trilogy, Fiennes touched on his part in the movie, in which he stars alongside Jodie Comer and Aaron Taylor-Johnson. While Dr. Kelson comes across as an imposing figure that could either be an ally or an enemy, Fiennes says it’s best for audiences to not assume too much, and let things play out before casting aspersions.

28 Years Later sees both the return of Boyle and writer Alex Garland to the franchise after a more than two decade absence, as the duo took a backseat for the 2007 sequel 28 Weeks Later. This time around, the survivors of the Rage Virus have managed to find a way to somewhat exist with the infected, though this new world is not without its own troubles.

“It’s been almost three decades since the Rage Virus escaped a medical research laboratory, and in a ruthlessly enforced quarantine, some have found ways to exist amidst the infected. One such group of survivors lives on a small island connected to the mainland by a single, heavily-defended causeway. When one of the group leaves the island on a mission into the dark heart of the mainland, they discover secrets, wonders, and horrors of the outside world.”

Ralph Fiennes Will Have a Bigger Role to Play in ‘The Bone Temple’

28 Years Later is just the start of a new trilogy of films that will continue in 2026 with The Bone Temple, which sees Nia DaCosta (Candyman, The Marvels) sitting in the directors’ chair. With Garland once more penning the script, Boyle will serve as executive producer, and for him, he says that the first film is just the start of things to come for Fiennes’ character, who will have “a much bigger part in the next one.”

“He strides forward into the second film in an enormous way, where the question of what he’s after and what he wants to do gets fully resolved.”

As for fans hoping to see original star Cillian Murphy pop up in the new film? Don’t hold your breath on that one, as according to producer Andrew Macdonald, he’s not in 28 Years Later. “He is not in the first film,” Macdonald also told Empire, “but I’m hoping there will be some Jim somewhere along the line.” Look for 28 Years Later to hit theaters on June 20, 2025, and The Bone Temple to premiere at some point in 2026. Fans eager to catch up on the series before the release can now rent or purchase both 28 Days Later and 28 Weeks Later on all VOD platforms.