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Jack O'Connell's Dark Turn in '28 Years Later'
16 Jan
Summary
- O'Connell stars as cult leader Sir Jimmy Crystal in '28 Years Later'.
- The role is inspired by the memory of controversial media personality Jimmy Savile.
- Actor enjoyed exploring the character's depraved and unchecked power.
Actor Jack O'Connell is set to captivate audiences as the bleach-blond cult leader Sir Jimmy Crystal in '28 Years Later: The Bone Temple,' which releases on January 16, 2026. Directed by Nia DaCosta, the film picks up the zombie franchise, with O'Connell's character preying on the young protagonist. O'Connell described Sir Jimmy as a vehicle for the darkest, most depraved parts of humanity, thriving in a post-apocalyptic setting where survival dictates no-holds-barred actions.
The character's inspiration has drawn comparisons to the memory of British media personality Jimmy Savile, a theory O'Connell confirmed, noting the character models himself on a figure omnipresent on television. O'Connell and DaCosta explored the idea of unchecked power and the corruption of popular culture in the film's setting, where the virus outbreak occurred in 2002, mirroring Savile's hidden crimes. They aimed to unsettle audiences by depicting the psychological ramifications of the infection.
O'Connell, known for diverse roles since his breakout on 'Skins,' also praised co-star Ralph Fiennes and director Nia DaCosta for their collaborative spirit. Looking ahead, he is slated to play Larry Lamb in the biographical drama 'Ink,' focusing on the early days of The Sun newspaper. However, for now, O'Connell is proud of his role in '28 Years Later,' anticipating audiences will be enthralled by the film's disturbing magnetism.
