Jack O’Connell defends controversial Jimmy Savile reveal in 28 Years Later

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Jack O’Connell has spoken out in support of the controversial inclusion of a Jimmy Savile reference in the new film, 28 Years Later. The movie features a cult where all members are named Jimmy, a clear nod to the disgraced entertainer.

The group was led by Sir Lord Jimmy Crystal, played by O’Connell, who had a distinctive look with a bleached blond wig, a tracksuit, and an unsettling grin. Many viewers were disturbed by how much he resembled Jimmy Savile, a television personality later accused of numerous sexual offenses.

Even though there was a lot of pushback, O’Connell has clarified how important his character is to the story’s setting after the apocalypse.

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The film’s Rage virus outbreak is set in 2002, ten years before the public started hearing allegations against Jimmy Savile. Director Danny Boyle has said the film’s allusions to Savile were a reflection of the mood and anxieties of that particular moment in time.

He explained to Empire that what viewers believe and what the characters in the story experience are quite different.

I hope the show makes viewers think about the time period it depicts and the overall mood of when things really started to fall apart in the world we’re showing.

The film 28 Years Later was shot at the same time as its follow-up, The Bone Temple, which is scheduled to come out next year. Director Nia DaCosta has hinted that the next installment will be even more intense, but confirmed it won’t involve any storylines related to Jimmy Savile.

She described her film as “really strange.” She said it was full of surprises, and that reading the script often left her speechless.

O’Connell supported her statements, calling the situation a strange and twisted version of something familiar.

He continued, saying he was incredibly proud of it. He explained it came from a place of deep emotion and explored big, unanswered questions. He also described it as surprisingly impactful.

28 Years Later: The Bone Temple will land in UK cinemas on 14 January 2026.

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2025-12-21 23:49