Cillian Murphy Debuts New Hairstyle at London Premiere of '28 Years Later: The Bone Temple'

Actor Cillian Murphy appeared at the London premiere of his new film, *28 Years Later: The Bone Temple*, presenting a notable change in his personal appearance. The actor, 49, showcased a sharp, jet-black hairstyle featuring distinct curtain bangs. This aesthetic marks a departure from the longer, silver-toned look he maintained while promoting his film *Steve* in September 2025.

Murphy returns to the post-apocalyptic *28 Days Later* franchise, reprising his role as Jim, a character that initiated his career in the 2002 original film. Directed by Nia DaCosta, the fourth installment, *28 Years Later: The Bone Temple*, is scheduled for a January 2026 theatrical release and has already garnered critical attention. The film secured a Certified Fresh rating of 93% on Rotten Tomatoes based on 85 reviews, setting a new high for the series, surpassing the 87% achieved by *28 Days Later* and the 89% of its immediate predecessor.

While Murphy’s involvement in *The Bone Temple* is characterized as a relatively brief appearance intended to facilitate a larger role in a subsequent planned installment, his presence reinforces the franchise’s ongoing relevance. Director DaCosta, known for helming *Candyman* in 2021, is receiving praise for her direction. Critics have also highlighted performances by other cast members, including Ralph Fiennes, as contributing to the critical success of the revival.

Beyond the horror sequel, industry observers are also focused on Murphy’s scheduled return as Thomas Shelby in *Peaky Blinders: The Immortal Man* in March 2026. This feature film, continuing the Shelby family narrative into the World War II era, is set for a theatrical debut on March 6, 2026, followed by a streaming release on Netflix on March 20, 2026. The *Peaky Blinders* film, directed by Tom Harper and written by Steven Knight, reunites Murphy with original ensemble members and adds actors such as Rebecca Ferguson and Barry Keoghan.

Murphy’s commitment to physical transformation for roles remains evident across his recent projects. For the drama *Steve*, based on Max Porter's novella *Shy*, where he portrayed an overworked headteacher in the mid-1990s, Murphy had sported longer, silver-colored hair with prominent sideburns. The contrast between that look and the stark, jet-black style presented at the London premiere underscores his professional flexibility across diverse cinematic genres.