A new horror film sequel has left several of its cast members stunned after they discovered their characters were directly modelled on one of Britain's most notorious sex offenders.
The actors playing the villainous 'Jimmies' in '28 Years Later: The Bone Temple' were taken aback during costume fittings when they realised they would be dressed as the late Jimmy Savile. The fourth film in the popular franchise, released in UK cinemas on January 14, 2026, features a radical cult led by Sir Jimmy Crystal, played by Jack O'Connell.
A Shocking Revelation on Set
Executive producer Danny Boyle, who directed the first two films, previously confirmed that the disgraced TV presenter and DJ – accused of hundreds of sexual abuse cases – inspired the gang's look. In the film's alternate timeline, the Rage virus hit the UK in 2002, before Savile's crimes were publicly exposed following his death in 2011, meaning his character is still revered.
Robert Rhodes, who plays 'Jimmy Jimmy', described his moment of realisation to Metro at the London premiere. "When I signed on, I knew I was called Jimmy. However, in my costume fitting, I kind of had an inkling," he said. "I kind of left it going, 'Um, am I dressed as Jimmy Savile?' And then from there went, 'Okay, I am!'"
He added that the concept was "incredibly clever", imagining a world where the media coverage of Savile's offences never emerged.
Cast Reactions to the Sinister Inspiration
For Connor Newall, playing 'Jimmy Shite', it was his mother who made the connection. "I was in the make-up trailer, I got the wig on, and I called my mum and she said, 'You look like Jimmy Savile!'" he recalled. He believes the reference adds a "more sinister outlook" to the movie, increasing the scare factor for audiences.
Irish actress Maura Bird, who portrays 'Jimmy Jones', had a different perspective. Not having grown up with Savile as a TV fixture, she simply saw him as a "creepy guy". "So, it was kind of, 'oh, I'm in a horror film [as a character] that resembles a creepy guy'. It wasn't a really big reveal to me," she explained.
The actors playing the Jimmies include:
- Jack O’Connell as Sir Lord Jimmy Crystal
- Erin Kellyman as Jimmy Ink
- Emma Laird as Jimmima
- Maura Bird as Jimmy Jones
- Ghazi Al Ruffai as Jimmy Snake
- Sam Locke as Jimmy Fox
Balancing Horror with Humour on a Grisly Set
Despite the film being reviewed as an "unpredictable, blood-drenched sequel" that is "extremely violent and gory – sadistically so", the cast found moments of levity. Sam Locke (Jimmy Fox) said the final film surprised him with its humour, crediting writer Alex Garland.
Maura Bird shared how co-star Jack O'Connell lightened the mood during a particularly gruelling night shoot in a freezing barn. "We were getting sticky blood on our hands, and it was just quite uncomfortable, and Jack just started singing [Natasha Bedingfield's] 'Unwritten'," she said. "We had a lot of sing-alongs and just little pick-me-ups because it was quite heavy material."
'28 Years Later: The Bone Temple' is now showing in UK cinemas and opens in the United States from Friday, January 16, 2026.
