Director Danny Boyle and writer Alex Garland have provided fresh insight into the development of the impactful character Jimmy in 28 Years Later, the newest installment in the iconic franchise. In recent discussions, Alex Garland discusses Jimmy’s creation in 28 Years Later, describing the character’s surprising introduction and the influence on the movie’s turbulent conclusion.
Unexpected Additions: How Jimmy Became Central to 28 Years Later
The latest entry, 28 Years Later, reunites Danny Boyle, Alex Garland, and actor Alfie Williams in a gripping narrative following Spike (Alfie Williams) and his father Jamie (Aaron Taylor-Johnson) as they venture beyond their secluded home to the perilous mainland. The film’s climax brings the two face-to-face with Jimmy, a charismatic cult leader portrayed by Jack O’Connell, introducing a powerful and unsettling presence into the franchise.
Discussing the origins of Jimmy during an interview with ScreenRant’s Liam Crowley, Garland and Boyle disclosed that the character was not part of earlier versions of the script. Instead, Jimmy emerged only in the latest rewrite, marking a significant shift in the narrative direction. Alex Garland explained the creative changes that led to Jimmy’s conception:
“No, Jimmy didn’t appear until this incarnation. There was a version that we worked on before, there was another writer who wrote a script, and then I did what was in effect, a kind of rewrite of that script. Jimmy didn’t feature in that story at all. In fact, the only, there’s a sort of trace bit of ancestry in a way, which is with some Swedish soldiers that wash up on the shores of quarantined Britain. But apart from that, there’s not really anything I don’t think. No, I don’t think so, until we meet Cillian anyway.”
—Alex Garland, Writer
“Cillian is obviously someone that we wait for in the trilogy, but Jimmy, when he did arrive, I remember reading it thinking, I’ll be honest with you, I remember thinking that’s the most original bit of screenwriting I’ve seen since Clockwork Orange. Not that I read Clockwork Orange as a screenplay back in the day or anything like that. You look at films like screenplays as well as films because when you’re in the business you think how it manifests itself and are drawn to certain writers and you kind of love their work. I remember thinking, ‘Yeah, this is like Clockwork Orange. This is what it must have been like.'”
—Danny Boyle, Director
“This whole film structure came about as a result of abandoning a previous structure. So we completely went down an avenue, we asked why the avenue was not right and reductively, the reason it wasn’t right was it was too generic. In a way, learning the danger of being generic was what freed us up to be hopefully a good deal less generic and more subversive really, I would say.”
—Alex Garland, Writer
Together, Boyle and Garland outlined their creative process—describing how early drafts lacked the originality needed to stand out in the franchise’s long history. The decision to abandon a more conventional script allowed them to embrace riskier, more provocative storytelling. Jimmy represents this new approach, bringing a subversive energy that helps to redefine the series’ tone and themes.
Spike’s Distrust and Jimmy’s Role in the Upcoming Narrative
In the wake of 28 Years Later’s shocking ending, Alfie Williams addressed how his character Spike perceives Jimmy, casting a troubled shadow over the tone of the story’s future. When asked if Spike trusts Jimmy, Williams offered a candid response:
“No. No. I mean, he doesn’t really have a choice, but no, not really. Not at all.”
—Alfie Williams, Actor (Spike)
This brief exchange underscores the unwilling alliance forming between Spike and the imposing cult leader. The discomfort and hesitancy surrounding Jimmy hint at unsettling alliances and betrayals poised to unravel in subsequent films. Spike’s apprehension also introduces a turbulent emotional undercurrent as the characters navigate post-apocalyptic threats and moral uncertainty.
The Broader Impact on the Franchise and Future Installments
The conclusion of 28 Years Later positions Jimmy as a pivotal figure for the series’ trajectory. Several character arcs, especially that of Spike, are left unresolved, opening the door for further exploration in future sequels. Notably, Cillian Murphy, revered for his portrayal of Jim from the original film, is confirmed to reappear at the end of the second installment and will play a substantial role in the third. The next film, 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple, is set to release next January, with production already completed.
Whether the trilogy will be completed hinges on the reception of the first two movies. Jimmy, introduced as a survivor with a cult following and an appearance echoing notorious British figure Jimmy Savile, is set to have a greater presence in The Bone Temple. The unfolding mystery behind Jimmy’s transformation, the origins of his group, and how they persisted through the dangers posed by the Rage Virus are expected to shape the direction of both upcoming films.
Jimmy’s Impact on Tone and Audience Reactions
Jack O’Connell’s portrayal of Jimmy signals a bold departure from the franchise’s previous antagonist archetypes. Critics have broadly praised 28 Years Later, but the audience consensus has been more divided. The film’s abrupt tonal shifts—especially with Jimmy’s flamboyant introduction—have left some viewers unsettled. Jimmy’s followers, dressing in bright attire and engaging in choreographed, acrobatic combat, are dramatically different from earlier threats seen in the series, drawing comparisons to the aesthetics of the Power Rangers.
Critical acclaim is apparent through an 89 percent score on Rotten Tomatoes, yet the audience rating is notably lower, hovering at 65 percent. This divide highlights the risks taken by Garland and Boyle, reflecting their willingness to experiment with narrative and stylistic conventions.
Jimmy’s likely escalating role in The Bone Temple is expected to further alter the series’ tone, steering it in directions that may continue to challenge—and potentially polarize—the fanbase. Whether this evolution resonates more strongly with viewers or heightens controversy remains uncertain, but the creative team’s commitment to subverting expectations stands as a defining motif of this new trilogy phase.
In this turbulent reimagining, 28 Years Later leans into its legacy of turmoil and uncertainty, poised to explore themes of leadership, trust, and survival amid chaos and the unpredictable dangers lurking in a world shaped by both virus and human ambition. As audiences await the next chapter, the series faces a critical juncture where narrative innovation and bold character choices will determine its enduring impact.
