LONDON, England – June 22, 2025
From MMA to monster: Chi Lewis-Parry’s terrifying change for “28 Years Later“
Lewis-Parry discusses his role as the “King of the Infected.”
- Chi Lewis-parry plays Samson, a formidable alpha in “28 Years Later.”
- The actor discusses the physicality and prosthetics involved in the role.
- Lewis-Parry reveals his surprising friendship with Ralph Fiennes.
Chi Lewis-Parry portrays Samson, the “King of the Infected,” in “28 Years Later”; his portrayal of the Alpha variant involves intense physicality and a rather memorable prosthetic.
Danny Boyle is back with “28 Years Later”, almost 25 years after “28 Days Later.” This time, the infected are even more terrifying, with the introduction of Alphas-massive, berserker variants. Roaming the U.K. wasteland, these creatures are known for their brutal signature move: ripping off human heads, spine attached, and swinging them like a flail.
Becoming Samson, the King of the Infected
one Alpha, named Samson, is played by Chi Lewis-Parry, the 6-foot-8-inch actor and former MMA fighter. Lewis-Parry described Samson as the “king of the infected.”
A horror enthusiast with John Carpenter as his favorite director, Lewis-Parry found joining the cast of “28 Years Later” an “absolute joy.” Onyl a few years prior,the 41-year-old Brit had quit fighting to pursue acting. His first role was on Boyle’s TV series “Pistol,” and their good rapport led him to audition for what he initially knew only as “Untitled Danny Boyle Project.”
Boyle’s singular instruction was, “Terrify me.” Without knowing the character, Lewis-Parry conjured the “Samson bellow.” Impressed, Boyle cast him as the lead Alpha and the voice for the film’s other Alpha.
Behind the monster’s physicality
Did you know? Chi Lewis-Parry transitioned from a 12-year MMA career to acting, driven by a childhood dream sparked by John Carpenter’s “Big Trouble in Little China.”
Samson’s ferocious on-screen presence has garnered attention, but so has something else. Given that the infected are now naked, Samson sports a rather remarkable prosthetic manhood, wich the camera doesn’t avoid.
During filming, Lewis-Parry sustained a “flesh wound” that resulted in a scar. He recounted an epiphany while holding a severed head and spine,and his long-held ambition to portray villainous characters.
What was your approach to portraying Samson?
“I suppose you could don him as the ‘King of the Infected,’ especially how I played him,” Lewis-Parry said. “There are things that didn’t make the cut, but he’s vrey much in charge of everything.”
He further explained, “but the biggest standout thing was the physicality. I threw myself at every wall. That scene in the train gave me more bruises than my fighting career.But also, I was in quite lean shape when I was cast for it and Danny made clear that he wanted the muscle to be incidental and not look like he worked out. So I was bigger than I am now.”
How did you manage to avoid working out and gain weight for the role?
“Not working out is a nightmare for me. Training is kind of like my prayer,” he admitted.
Did you develop a backstory for Samson?
“We never really sort of dug into that,” Lewis-Parry said. “But I created a backstory. I’ve actually got a little notebook. in my head, what I did to help visualize his intentions and for him to be an Alpha, is have him saving others. He sacrificed himself to protect others and thus he became an infected. It made him less of a monster for me.”
Tell us about the head-ripping scene.
“I’ve actually got a cool story about that scene,” Lewis-parry began.”It was filmed in an actual reservoir in a tunnel and it was incredibly dark. And I managed to incur a little flesh wound… It was my own fault. I was running very fast and got to a point a little too early and got caught by one of the rifles on my leg. So I’ve got a nice bit of memorabilia, a little scar on my leg, which I’m very proud of.”
What was it like handling the prop head?
“That was one of the unbelievable bodies created by [special makeup effects supervisor] John Nolan’s team. The realism is insane,” Lewis-Parry remarked. “It was heavy, so I wedged my elbow into my hip to support the weight… Its tough to do, but it had to be heavy – if it was light, it wouldn’t look light.”
Quick fact: Chi lewis-Parry’s first gig was with Danny Boyle on the TV series “Pistol.”
The infected are mostly naked. What about the prosthetics?
“Yeah, they were prosthetics,” Lewis-Parry confirmed. “There’s a law that states, I think, as he’s a child, you’re allowed to have nudity but it has to be fake nudity. It was to protect him.” He added, “And, as well, I’m really friendly and am always hugging people. I wouldn’t have been doing that if I was fully in the nip!”
There’s been talk about *your* prosthetic…
“Well, I’m 6′ 8″. I’ll say no more!”
Bonding with Ralph Fiennes
Jeff Spicer/Getty Images
You and Ralph Fiennes seem close.
“Me and Ralph have become best buds,” Lewis-Parry shared. “We go to the gym and work out together a lot…I grew up watching the guy and in my very early days, around 2009 or 2010, I was actually a stand-in for Hagrid on “Harry Potter.” And Ralph was there in character and I remember standing next to him and just admiring and watching how he worked.”
He added,”He’s a very special man and I love him dearly…he’s done so much for me just by being present in any moment. He asks how you are, he supports you if you need something.”
How is Ralph Fiennes’s training regimen?
“I’m not joking with you, but I can’t keep up with him,” Lewis-Parry admitted. “He’s in tremendous shape and he never complains and he’ll always push to his limit… you’re not just keeping up, you’re setting the pace.”
from Gladiator to Runner
You also appeared in “Gladiator 2”?
“Yes! I met my end via a rhino horn!”
Tell us about your role alongside Paul Mescal.
“Yeah, I’m the cocky gladiator who thinks he can do it all in his own. And it ends badly.” While a confrontational scene with paul Mescal was cut, he says, “everyone got what they wanted. The guy got killed by the rhino, and then Paul has an epic fight and wins.”
Between Phoebus and Samson, which was your favorite?
Without hesitation, Lewis-Parry chose Samson. “If I look at the brow of a hill, I’ll see him. I feel like he’s real, like he’s out there somewhere now.”
From MMA to Acting
How did you transition from MMA to acting?
“I fought for about 12 years and had a good career,” Lewis-Parry stated. His inspiration stemmed from seeing the poster for John Carpenter’s “Big Trouble in Little China” in 1986. “Fighting allows you to express yourself in a persona…so it was always gonna be a transitional period. I said, I’m gonna do this full time now.”
What was your role in “Pistol?”
Lewis-Parry played Glenn Allison, the Sex Pistols’ personal security on their U.S. tour. “There was this famous story about him having a fight with Sid Vicious, played by the splendid Louis Partridge.”
What’s next for you?
“I just worked on ‘the Running Man’ with Edgar Wright…it’s a really fun role.”
A Bond Villain Dream
Are you vying for a role in the next Bond film?
“listen, if there is an ultimate role, it’s to be a Bond villain,” Lewis-Parry declared. His journey started in 2005, ignited by Martin Campbell’s “Casino Royale.”
He also recounts a pivotal moment during the head-ripping scene: “I was the Predator, but my own version. And that was a real turning point for me, as I realized: You made this happen in 2005 because you thoght about it and started the process.”
have you had any discussions about it?
“I haven’t had any official discussions, but I’ve definitely put it out there.”
“Imagine that, right? It’s crazy!” Lewis-Parry said, reflecting on his head-ripping epiphany.
More Than Just Muscle: The Psychology of a “king”
Chi Lewis-parry’s conversion into Samson, the “King of the Infected,” demanded more than just physical prowess. It also required Lewis-Parry to delve into the psychology of his character, examining the motivations and inner world of an Alpha. This deeper exploration informs Lewis-Parry’s performance, transforming Samson from a mere monster into a compelling, albeit terrifying, figure.
Lewis-Parry’s insights into the role extend to his own experiences, shaping his portrayal of the character. He uses the physicality to show the character’s personality and motivations.
What did you do to prepare for the role mentally?
Lewis-Parry built a backstory, a vital step in fleshing out a character who, in a world of chaos, coudl easily have flattened into cliché. This notebook containing visual aids assisted him on the set.
“If I look at the brow of a hill, I’ll see him,” Lewis-Parry admitted. “I feel like he’s real, like he’s out there somewhere now.”
In the world of “28 Years Later,” the infected are a constant threat, but Lewis-Parry’s Samson represents something more. His performance provides a chilling outlook to the concept of absolute dominance. Lewis-Parry’s view of Samson isn’t just a mindless killing machine; he sees the Alpha as a figure driven by instinct and an unyielding will to survive.
Samson’s position, and his impact on the narrative, stems from his capacity for strategic thought–even from a primal level–to hunt down those who would make for the best snack meal. The “King of the Infected” designation is less about brute force and more about the power granted to him, and his innate ability to lead. Lewis-Parry’s interpretation deepens our understanding of the character’s power.
What is it like playing an Alpha?
“I try to make him much more than just a mindless brute,” Lewis-Parry said.
Chi Lewis-Parry approached the role of Samson by creating a detailed backstory to understand the character’s motivations.
As the King of the Infected, Chi Lewis-Parry infused Samson with a sense of leadership.
What are the challenges of playing a monster?
“The biggest challenge is to humanize the monster. it is easy to play monsters,” Lewis-Parry asserted. “I wanted to show his intelligence and command.”
Lewis-Parry’s emphasis on Samson’s motivations creates a compelling narrative in a film filled with terrifying visuals.This nuance goes beyond mere horror and adds a layer of dark complexity to his performance.
how did you connect to Samson?
Lewis-Parry connects Samson’s capacity for violence to his instinct for survival. he viewed the head-ripping scene not just as a moment of horror but a display of the brute force survival instinct.
By exploring the character’s inner world, Chi Lewis-Parry transformed Samson from a frightening antagonist into a strangely compelling character, leaving audiences to ponder the question: Is Samson truly a monster, or simply an apex predator shaped by a bleak world?
What are some of the other roles that are similar to Samson?
Several memorable characters in film history share a common thread with Samson: the ability to instill terror. Characters from “The Running Man,” another film Lewis-Parry is acting in, to Bond villains embody this essence.These roles, much like Sampson, are defined by their physical dominance and their calculated use of fear to achieve their objectives.This allows the actor to tap into a deeper examination of power, survival, and the human condition.
how does this role compare to your other roles?
This approach to the role stands in stark contrast to Phoebus from “Gladiator 2,” as Lewis-Parry had a more limited scope. The role of Phoebus was more about showing the muscles. In “28 Years Later,” everything stemmed from Samson. The psychology had to be fully realized.
The portrayal of Samson as an Alpha in “28 Years Later” transcends the typical monster archetype. The character, crafted by Chi lewis-Parry’s vision, is a figure not driven by mere brutality but by the compelling dynamics of survival and dominance.
Is Chi lewis-Parry a method actor?
Lewis-Parry would not use the term method actor. However, he would agree that immersion is key to character study and performance. Through his acting, he has created a terrifying character, for certain.
Table of Contents
- From MMA to monster: Chi Lewis-Parry’s terrifying change for “28 Years Later”
- Becoming Samson, the King of the Infected
- Behind the monster’s physicality
- What was your approach to portraying Samson?
- How did you manage to avoid working out and gain weight for the role?
- Did you develop a backstory for Samson?
- Tell us about the head-ripping scene.
- What was it like handling the prop head?
- The infected are mostly naked. What about the prosthetics?
- There’s been talk about *your* prosthetic…
- Bonding with Ralph Fiennes
- from Gladiator to Runner
- From MMA to Acting
- A Bond Villain Dream
- More Than Just Muscle: The Psychology of a “king”
- What did you do to prepare for the role mentally?
- What is it like playing an Alpha?
- What are the challenges of playing a monster?
- how did you connect to Samson?
- What are some of the other roles that are similar to Samson?
- how does this role compare to your other roles?
- Is Chi lewis-Parry a method actor?
