MMA fighter and actor Chi Lewis-Parry has revealed the extreme physical demands of his role as a terrifying "alpha zombie" in Danny Boyle's hit horror sequel, 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple. The 6ft 8in, 110kg performer was left so shattered after filming a brutal train sequence that he had to be physically carried off the set.
The King of the Alphas: Becoming Samson
Lewis-Parry, 42, portrays the menacing character Samson, described as the "king of the Alphas" in the post-apocalyptic world of the 28 Years Later franchise. Set in a Britain ravaged by the Rage Virus, his character is a primal hunter who stalks the uninfected, with a gruesome signature move known as "de-spinning"—ripping out the spines of his victims.
The actor, a native of Hitchin, worked closely with a movement coach to develop Samson's distinctive, jerky sprint, a departure from slower traditional zombies. He drew inspiration from motion-capture legend Andy Serkis and classic horror creatures like the Predator. "The motive I gave him was that nothing will stop me," Lewis-Parry explained, emphasising his character's relentless, predatory nature.
A Day of Chaos: The Exhausting Train Scene
The most gruelling challenge came during filming for the 2026 sequel, The Bone Temple. A chaotic fight scene set on a train required such intense, all-day physical exertion that it completely drained the professional fighter.
"We shot that whole train scene in a day," Lewis-Parry told Dextero. "It was from morning all the way to the 'hero' shot at nighttime... I had to be carried out of there, I couldn't walk. I was busted, man." He had warned the crew beforehand that he would expend every ounce of energy if they compressed the sequence into a single day, a promise he certainly kept.
Collaboration and Consciousness on Set
Lewis-Parry praised director Danny Boyle's collaborative approach, which allowed for creative input from the cast. He highlighted a key moment in the first 2025 film where Samson displays a flicker of consciousness after attacking soldiers—a detail not in the original script.
"Danny just said, 'I want to include something here that shows he is conscious, what do you think?'" the actor recalled. "That's his creative genius... he lets you talk about things because we all inspire each other." This philosophy extended to Lewis-Parry's interpretation of the Alpha zombies, viewing them as amplified versions of their human selves, fuelled by uncontrollable rage.
The actor also addressed a notable detail from the first film, reassuring fans that the infected characters' nudity was achieved with prosthetics, a necessary measure given that the production included working with then 12-year-old co-star Alfie Williams.
With Ralph Fiennes joining the cast as Dr. Kelson in The Bone Temple, the franchise continues to explore new horrors. For Chi Lewis-Parry, his role as Samson proves that bringing a nightmarish alpha zombie to life is a fight as demanding as any in the MMA cage.
