’28 Years Later: The Bone Temple’ – New Look at the Return of Ralph Fiennes as Dr. Kelson

We are now just one month away from Nia DaCosta’s (Candyman) sequel 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple, with the film set for release on January 16, 2026.

While you wait, Empire has shared a brand new exclusive image from 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple that spotlights the return of Ralph Fiennes as the mysterious Dr. Kelson.

Nia DaCosta tells Empire, “My movie is quite… weird. It’s surprising. There were multiple moments reading the script where my jaw dropped, literally.”

The titular bone temple is a primary location in Danny Boyle’s trilogy-starter, and the title of DaCosta’s sequel makes it clear we’ll returning to that location. The Bone Temple will focus on Jack O’Connell’s “Sir Jimmy Crystal” and his merry band of evil-doers, with young hero Spike (Alfie Williams) also returning. Here’s the brand new official synopsis from Sony:

Expanding upon the world created by Danny Boyle and Alex Garland in 28 Years Later but turning that world on its head – Nia DaCosta directs 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple.

In a continuation of the epic story, Dr. Kelson (Ralph Fiennes) finds himself in a shocking new relationship – with consequences that could change the world as they know it – and Spike’s (Alfie Williams) encounter with Jimmy Crystal (Jack O’Connell) becomes a nightmare he can’t escape. In the world of The Bone Temple, the infected are no longer the greatest threat to survival – the inhumanity of the survivors can be stranger and more terrifying.

Cillian Murphy’s character from 28 Days Later is also expected to make a brief appearance in The Bone Temple, with the sequel’s script once again being written by Alex Garland.

The third installment in this new trilogy has been officially confirmed.