Fans of the 28 Years Later franchise should brace themselves for a significant shift when they witness the return of the formidable Alpha, Samson, in the latest sequel, The Bone Temple. The actor behind the hulking Infected, Chi Lewis-Parry, has issued a stark warning that his character is almost unrecognisable from the terrifying force seen in the previous film.
A New Side to the King of the Alphas
In the 2025 film that revived the iconic series, Lewis-Parry's Samson was introduced as the fearsome 'King of the Alphas' – a 6ft 8in variant of the Rage Virus Infected who paralysed survivors with dread. Known for his brutal physicality, he was a relentless killing machine. However, the landscape shifted dramatically by that film's conclusion with the arrival of Jack O'Connell's sinister cult leader, Sir Lord Jimmy Crystal.
Now, under the direction of Nia DaCosta, The Bone Temple promises even more bloodshed and horror. Yet, for Samson, the sequel marks an internal evolution. Lewis-Parry explains that he approached the character as two distinct entities. "I saw Samson as two completely different characters from the first film and the second film," he told Metro. "Obviously it's the same man, but his behaviour was very different." The actor, a former MMA fighter, relished the new challenge: "I got to be boldly physical in the first one, and in this film, I knew I had to put my acting shoes on and try to maintain the physicality but also express an array of emotions."
An Improvised Dance and an Unlikely Bond
A pivotal element of Samson's transformation is his complex relationship with Dr. Ian Kelson, played by Ralph Fiennes. Lewis-Parry credits Fiennes, alongside directors DaCosta, Alex Garland, and Danny Boyle, for guiding his performance in his largest role to date. This dynamic leads to one of the film's most surprising moments: an entirely improvised dance between the Alpha and the doctor set to Duran Duran's 'Rio'.
"He extended a hand and we just developed it, it happened. It wasn't planned," Lewis-Parry revealed. "It's a very touching moment and a very fun memory." He believes Samson finds a rare "safety" with Kelson, who represents a missing father figure. "Kelson could have done away with Samson a long time ago and he didn't," the actor pointed out.
The sequel also offers a brief, revealing look at Lewis-Parry without the extensive prosthetics that usually define Samson. The actor described this as a "beautiful, fun challenge" to connect with the man beneath the monster's scarred and porous skin.
Embracing the Legacy and Looking Forward
Lewis-Parry admits he didn't initially grasp the "magnitude" of his character's journey in The Bone Temple or his newfound importance to the franchise's lore. However, he embraces the responsibility wholeheartedly. "There's a big part of me in that guy," he shared. "I believe a part of Chi was left in the making of these two films... But I take the responsibility with both hands – and feet."
With the confirmed return of original star Cillian Murphy as an executive producer on the trilogy, speculation naturally turns to future collaborations. When asked about potentially sharing the screen with the Oscar winner, Lewis-Parry laughed: "I mean, come on!... It would be an honour to share space with him and create. Dreams can come true because I'm living it."
28 Years Later: The Bone Temple is now showing in UK cinemas and releases in US cinemas on Friday, January 16, 2026.
