Teen actor Alfie Williams may be new to the scene, but the emotional depth and nuance he brings to each role is far beyond his years.

The Geordie youngster is only 14, yet he’s already racked up a handful of small but striking roles. Williams starred alongside acclaimed actors Stephen Graham and Shaun Parkes in Luke Davies’s 2021 short film Phallacy. Since then, he’s appeared in fantasy drama His Dark Materials and BBC Radio 4’s Our Friends in the North. All before the age of 12 — and with every role, he’s brought a quiet, burning passion to learn and grow as an actor.

Now, the stars have aligned: the teen is one of the leads in Danny Boyle’s hotly anticipated horror epic, 28 Years Later. The film arrives 23 years after the groundbreaking 28 Days Later, which launched a then-unknown Cillian Murphy into the limelight. In 28 Years Later—which launches a new trilogy in the iconic franchise—Alfie plays Spike, a boy who follows his father Jamie (played by previous 1883 cover star Aaron Taylor-Johnson) into ravaged mainland Britain, where terror awaits.

With a cast that includes Jodie Comer and Ralph Fiennes, Alfie shot the film during the spring and summer of last year—aged just 13. Despite his age, Alfie threw himself into the role—learning archery, taking direction from Boyle, and sprinting from the terrifying infected. Without a doubt, this is his breakthrough—a role that sets him on the path to greatness, even as he balances it all with being a regular teenager. During our Zoom call in early June, his gratitude for the experience is unmistakable.

In conversation with 1883 Magazine’s Cameron Poole, Alfie Williams discusses 28 Years Later, advice from Danny Boyle, seeing the infected up close, and more.

Hi Alfie, thanks for chatting with 1883 Magazine.  Let’s start at the beginning—when did you first realise you liked performing and acting? Was there a moment that made you think, “I want to do this”? I know your dad is an actor as well.

Yes, he is. My dad has done a couple of different films and he was showing me some pictures and him on the telly, and I thought it would be great to do that. From then on, I just wanted to be an actor and he has supported me all the way through.

You’ve already worked on some amazing projects like the short film Phallacy with Stephen Graham and Shaun Parkes, and even His Dark Materials and Our Friends in the North on BBC Radio 4—all before you turned 11! Can you tell us how you first got into these acting roles, and what it’s been like growing with each role?

I got the audition for Phallacy from my agent and then I had a zoom audition and got the part. I did that film with Stephen and Shaun. Stephen helped me, he gave me his agent’s contact details and that is the agent I’m currently with. It has helped me get to this stage.

28 Years Later is a huge moment for you—what was the audition process like for the character of Spike? Were you nervous or excited?

I was very nervous actually, I got the audition, and then found out I had a recall which was just in Newcastle, which was great because I just live across the water. I went into Newcastle, met Danny [Boyle], ran through a couple of scenes with him, it just felt great.

But then I got another recall a couple of days later, I went in and said Hello to Danny again and did a couple more scenes. This happened about three times and then I got the part. I was absolutely buzzing, my family was going crazy, it’s a really exciting thing to happen. Especially if you wanted it as much as I did.

The rest of the cast is seriously impressive—how did it feel to work alongside actors like Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Jodie Comer, and Ralph Fiennes? Did anyone give you advice or help you out on set?

It’s just a privilege to work with such talented actors like Aaron and Jodie. They did help me a lot on set, they gave me a couple of tips, just little things, and I was watching them and I could pick up on how they got ready for a scene. It all helps.

Danny Boyle is such a legendary director—did he give you any advice or notes that really stuck with you?

There was a time where myself and Aaron where filming a scene, and I had to stay behind him. I can’t go into it, but I was kind of blocked because of the shadow of Aaron and Danny was telling me how to work with the light. He told me how to have the light on my face, how to stand back from it, and how to lean forward into it. 

It helps and he gave me so much advice, he’s just a great man and a legendary director.

This is your first big horror film—was it spooky on set? What was it like seeing the infected up close and working with the special effects team?

With a zombie, it’s someone who comes back from the dead but infected are what we’re seeing in this film, they’re still alive.

I mean the first time I saw them, I was surprised because it’s not a typical infection or anything like that, I was just expecting ripped clothes and what you normally see in horror films. But they were naked, had long hair, long beards, it was scary.

It was definitely more creepy getting chased by them in my scenes, it was weird to see. 

You’ve got a great team behind you, such as your publicist Simon—how important is it for you to have people supporting you as you start this journey?

It’s important to have everyone by your side, giving you advice and tips, just being there for you. It’s going to help a lot.

With such a big film coming out, has anyone helped you get ready for everything that comes with it—like press, red carpets, or fan attention? Because Spike is a key character and all eyes are going to be on your performance.

Yeah, that would be my dad. He has helped a lot, he has given me advice on press and everything. He has been there for me and he always will be.

I saw on one of your Instagram posts you were reacting to seeing a massive 28 Years Later billboard during a car journey, and I think this a prime example of what I mean, you’re going to go about your daily life and then come across things like that or TV spots, how does that make you feel because again this is a big and deserved moment for you.

It’s surreal, it’s just weird because I never pictured this. I mean, I dreamed of it when I was little, but then to see it on a billboard, it’s crazy. I’m really excited and so happy about it.

How do you balance acting with being a regular teenager, keeping up with schoolwork and still finding time to hang out with your friends? And do your friends at school know about your acting work?

It’s sometimes difficult to plan something. A couple of weeks ago, my friend wanted me to come over to their house for a sleepover, but I had to decline as I had an interview and things to do.

For schoolwork, I’m home educated, so I don’t have to worry about it that much, but it is hard.

It’s already confirmed that your character will be in the sequel, 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple. Are you excited to work with Cillian Murphy, as he is also appearing in the film?

Yeah! It would be great to work with Mr Murphy, I am a huge fan of his.

Outside of acting, what do you like to get up to for fun, are you a gamer? I was at your age.

Yeah! I recently started playing Red Dead Redemption, Ghost of Tsushima, there are a lot of great games out. I’ve been playing Dead by Daylight with my friends. I love gaming.

You’ve got such an exciting future ahead—are there any kinds of roles or film genres you’d love to try as you grow up?

There is a game that came out in 2008 called Dead Space, and it had a remake a couple of years ago, which would be my dream role. 

I would love to play a live-action Isaac Clarke [the main character] in the future, it would be a dream.

Finally, as you know, there is a lot of anticipation for 28 Years Later. How would you sum the film experience for filmgoers who are going to be lining up at cinemas to go watch it?

It’s intense, full of rage, but also beautiful. It’s amazing. It has been 28 years, nature has taken back Britain, and you see that throughout the film. It’s lovely.

It’s a fantastic story.

Alfie, good luck with it all. We’re really excited to see where you go next in the future.

Thank you very much, it has been great talking to you.

28 Years Later releases in UK cinemas tomorrow.

Follow Alfie Williams @Alfie_Williamsofficial

Interview Cameron Poole

Photography David Reiss

Styling Nathan Henry

Grooming Richard Wynn Ellis

Thanks to S414 Film