Chi Lewis-Parry Opens Up About Playing the Terrifying Alpha Zombie in 28 Years Later; WATCH

Chi Lewis-Parry, the towering 6-foot-8 actor and former MMA fighter, has become the talk of the horror world with his role as Samson, the fearsome Alpha zombie in Danny Boyle’s 28 Years Later. The film, a sequel to the 2002 hit 28 Days Later, introduces a new breed of infected creatures—bigger, stronger, and deadlier than ever.

Lewis-Parry’s Samson is described as the “King of the Infected,” a monstrous leader who rips off human heads with spines still attached. The actor recently shared behind-the-scenes details about the intense physical demands of the role, his character’s backstory, and even the surprising reason he wore a prosthetic penis in the film.

Chi Lewis-Parry Becoming the Alpha Zombie

Danny Boyle, the director of 28 Years Later, had one simple request for Lewis-Parry during auditions: “Terrify me.” The actor delivered with a terrifying roar, now known as the “Samson bellow,” which secured him the role. Not only did he play the lead Alpha, but he also voiced other infected creatures in the film.

Lewis-Parry explained that he saw Samson as more than just a mindless monster. He created a backstory where the character was once a hero who sacrificed himself to save others before turning into an infected beast.

“I suppose you could call him the ‘King of the Infected.’ He’s in charge of everything. The others are like hyenas, and he’s the lion. He will have his feed, and you will have what is left!”

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The Grueling Physical Challenges

Playing Samson was no easy feat. Lewis-Parry, known for his MMA career, admitted that the train scene left him with more bruises than his entire fighting career. The sequence required him to crash through walls and seats while battling survivors.

“I threw myself at every wall. That scene gave me more injuries than my fighting career. But it had to look real—if it was easy, it wouldn’t be scary.”

Boyle wanted Samson to look naturally massive, not like a bodybuilder. Lewis-Parry had to gain weight and avoid gym workouts to achieve the director’s vision.

The Prosthetic Penis Controversy

One of the most talked-about aspects of 28 Years Later is the full-frontal zombie nudity, particularly Samson’s prominent prosthetic. Lewis-Parry revealed that due to UK child protection laws, real nudity wasn’t allowed on set because Alfie Williams, the film’s young co-star, was only 13.

“There’s a law that states because he’s a child, you can have nudity but it has to be fake. It was to protect him. And honestly, I’m always hugging people—I wouldn’t be doing that if I was fully naked!”

Danny Boyle joked that the Alpha’s size was so extreme that they couldn’t even use certain scenes in promotional material.

From MMA Fighter to Horror Icon

Before acting, Lewis-Parry was an undefeated MMA fighter with a 9-0-2 record. However, his career took a turn when he was suspended for four years after failing a drug test. He then shifted focus to acting, landing roles in Pistol, Gladiator 2, and now 28 Years Later.

His next project is The Running Man remake, where he plays a contestant in the deadly game show. But his dream role? Playing a Predator or a James Bond villain.

“In 2005, I thought, ‘I want to play the Predator or a Bond villain.’ When I was holding that head and spine in 28 Years Later, I realized—I became my own version of the Predator.”

Why 28 Years Later Stands Out

The film takes place 28 years after the rage virus outbreak, showing a world where the infected have evolved. The Alphas are faster, smarter, and more brutal, with Samson leading the pack. The movie also introduces a shocking twist—infected women can give birth to healthy babies, hinting at a disturbing new future for humanity.

Also read: Rudyard Kipling’s Poem “Boots” Featured in 28 Years Later (2025) Trailer, Enhancing Dark and Foreboding Atmosphere with Historical Military Recording

Fans of the original 28 Days Later will find this sequel even more intense, with Lewis-Parry’s performance as the terrifying Alpha being a major highlight.

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