Ralph Fiennes is the eccentric doctor in ‘28 Years Later’

CEBU, Philippines — When asked to describe his character in the virus-ravaged world of “28 Years Later,” Ralph Fiennes (Conclave, The Menu, The Grand Budapest Hotel) would say that Dr. Ian Kelson is, “above all, a survivor.” His constant reminder of memento mori – remember death – is a mantra that keeps him going.

“He’s accepted the fact of death…that it’s so present,” Fiennes says. “Rather than run away from it, pretend death doesn’t exist, or live in fear of it, Kelson is honoring death and the dead. In a way, he’s a rather clergy-like figure and a humanist.”

Dr. Kelson, and the other survivors are living in the world of “28 Years Later,” where the rage virus from “28 Days Later” has lain waste to the UK. A group of survivors has made a haven off an island, protected by a single defended causeway that floods during much of the day, leaving the land inaccessible by the infected.

Fiennes worked closely with production and costume designers Carson McColl and Gareth Pugh to get that striking impression that the survivors had when they encountered Dr. Kelson for the first time.

“We had wonderful conversations about Kelson and his world and clothes,” Fiennes recounts. “One of Kelson’s defining traits is that he covers himself in iodine, which is a prophylactic against the rage virus. So, Kelson is covered in reddish-orange iodine, and then we made the decision to have his head shaven, which we thought was a strong look.”

Makeup supervisor Flora Moody finished off Dr. Kelson’s shocking look. “Flora considered what do people look like if they no longer have access to shampoo and makeup,” Fiennes continued. “We all wanted the iodine-shielded figure to look arresting and startling.”

Watch the horror unfold as “28 Years Later” arrives in cinemas on June 18.