In 2025, young British actors have been making significant waves in the entertainment industry. One of the most notable is 14-year-old Alfie Williams, who is set to star in the highly anticipated "28 Years Later," a sequel to the iconic "28 Days Later" directed by Danny Boyle.

Williams, hailing from the north of England near Newcastle, is already a familiar face on film posters and billboards across the U.K. He is depicted at the top of a towering pile of skulls, an eerie and stark introduction for any actor, especially a teenager. This image is a fitting preview for the post-apocalyptic horror film, which is filled with death, blood, and skeletal remains.

The film, set to release via Sony Pictures on June 20, takes place nearly three decades after the rage virus decimated the world. The United Kingdom is now a quarantine zone, a desolate wasteland isolated from the rest of virus-free Europe. Survivors must fend for themselves against the infected, who still roam free.

In his first major screen role, Williams plays Spike, a young boy living with his parents, portrayed by Jodie Comer and Aaron Taylor-Johnson, in a small island community. When Spike is taken across a causeway to learn how to fight the infected, it sets off a perilous adventure with dire consequences.

Danny Boyle, the director, praises Williams as "hugely talented." He notes that Taylor-Johnson took on a mentorship role, helping Williams navigate the rigors of action shooting. In the second half of the film, Comer and co-star Ralph Fiennes guided Williams to develop stillness, imagination, and presence, allowing the film to come to him naturally.

Before "28 Years Later," Williams was unfamiliar with Boyle's work. However, after watching the original "28 Days Later" and "Trainspotting," he was eager to be part of the project. The film is not the end of Spike's journey, as it was shot back-to-back with "28 Years Later: The Bone Temple," directed by Nia DaCosta and scheduled for release in January. Boyle also hints at a potential trilogy-capper in development.

In his first major interview, Williams shares his excitement about the film's release and the support he received from his castmates. He talks about being inspired by his father, an actor who has worked with Ken Loach, and the surreal experience of seeing himself on the poster. Williams also mentions the pivotal role Stephen Graham played in his career, much like he did for Owen Cooper in "Adolescence."

Williams expresses his gratitude for working with such a talented cast, describing the chemistry and fun he had with Comer and Taylor-Johnson, who felt like real parents on set. As the release date approaches, he is eagerly looking forward to audiences finally seeing the film.

In a candid chat about his breakthrough role, Alfie Williams reveals his journey to starring in the highly anticipated horror sequel. The young actor shared insights about his audition process, which began with a simple tape submission followed by multiple callbacks in Newcastle.

"Meeting Danny was surprisingly comfortable despite my nerves," Williams reflects. "After four recalls, I finally got the part and even kept my natural accent for the role."

Unlike his brief appearance in "His Dark Materials" where he "just came in, said a line, and that was it," this marks Williams' first major lead role. Though unfamiliar with Boyle's work initially, he immersed himself in the director's filmography after landing the audition, starting with the original "28 Days Later" and "Trainspotting."

"These films have a unique feel—very gritty and intense," he notes admiringly.

Williams' preparation for the character Spike included intensive archery training at a local range for several months—a skill he plans to continue developing after production. The physical demands of the role became apparent from day one when Boyle had him perform squats before a scene to authentically capture exhaustion.

One of the production's most striking elements was its commitment to practical effects. "Everything was incredibly realistic on set—no green screens," Williams explains. "The prosthetics and special effects were so convincing it was actually scary seeing the infected performers for the first time."

Among the most challenging sequences was climbing the bone temple featured prominently on the film's poster. "It was fully built as part of the set and quite high. I was harnessed the whole time, but still had to climb all the way to the top," he recalls. Another memorable moment involved hiding from an explosion with co-star Jodie Comer—"We could feel the heat, but it felt completely safe."

Williams expresses genuine surprise and excitement about his prominence in the marketing: "Seeing those posters all over the country and on the sides of buses is crazy! I wasn't actually expecting to be featured so prominently."

I was drawn to acting, inspired by my father, Alfie Dobson, who has starred in works like Ken Loach's "Sorry We Missed You" and the BBC drama "The A Word." When I was little, he shared behind-the-scenes glimpses of his roles, like a Viking character, which sparked my interest. I thought, "Dad, I want to do that too!"

My journey began at a drama school, but I soon realized it was more focused on musical theater, which wasn't my passion. I wanted to be in TV and film, so I left and started auditioning for roles when I was around 7. I landed a few ads and then a short film called "Phallacy," where I worked with Stephen Graham and Sean Parkes. Stephen was incredibly supportive and recommended me to his agent, who I'm still with today. That experience was a crucial stepping stone for me.

Aaron, another actor, gave us a lot of guidance on handling the pressures of the industry. He warned us that it can get intense and overwhelming at times, but his advice was invaluable since he started acting at a young age too.

When it comes to my taste in entertainment, I enjoy comedy movies. I've been re-watching "Stranger Things" and "The Boys" on TV. For films, I love comedies like "Stepbrothers" and "Click."

Some of my favorite actors include Andrew Garfield, who was outstanding in "Hacksaw Ridge," J.K. Simmons in "Whiplash," and Bryan Cranston. There are so many talented actors out there!

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