Danny Boyle's remarkable career spans from directing the critically acclaimed Slumdog Millionaire to orchestrating the unforgettable 2012 London Olympic opening ceremony. Few filmmakers can boast convincing a reigning monarch to appear in a comedy sketch, but Boyle achieved just that when Queen Elizabeth II agreed to star alongside James Bond actor Daniel Craig. The viral moment, which saw Her Majesty quip "Good evening, Mr Bond," became a highlight of the Isles of Wonder ceremony, watched by over 20 million viewers in the UK.
This weekend, the Bury-born director adds the highly anticipated 28 Years Later to his diverse body of work, which already includes Trainspotting, Shallow Grave, and Slumdog Millionaire. The latter, a global phenomenon inspired by the TV quiz show Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?, won eight Academy Awards in 2009, despite its modest \$15 million budget. That year, Boyle fulfilled a promise to mention his hometown of Radcliffe and its beloved St Mary's Catholic Social Club — once run by his father — during his Oscar acceptance speech. Family and friends had gathered there to watch him on screen, just as they had when he sipped lemonade there as a boy.
Known for pushing creative boundaries while captivating mainstream audiences, Boyle once told The Guardian: "I want to push the boat out, but take the popular audience with me." His cinematic journey began early, studying English and Drama at Bangor University before moving into theatre with London's prestigious Royal Court and the Royal Shakespeare Company.
Transitioning to television, Boyle directed dramas for the BBC in Northern Ireland and ITV’s Inspector Morse, before gaining recognition with his darkly comic 1994 film Shallow Grave, starring Christopher Eccleston and Ewan McGregor. The film’s modern storytelling and visual style helped redefine British cinema, moving it beyond its period drama stereotype.
Boyle and McGregor collaborated again on Trainspotting, the gritty, humorous portrayal of heroin addiction in Edinburgh. However, their relationship soured when Boyle offered the lead role in The Beach (2000) to Leonardo DiCaprio instead of McGregor. Boyle later admitted, "We didn't treat \[McGregor] very well," while McGregor described feeling branded as "Danny Boyle's actor." Fortunately, the two reconciled, reuniting in 2017 for the Trainspotting sequel.
Although Boyle was initially chosen to direct the James Bond film No Time To Die, he stepped down due to creative differences. Nevertheless, his daring approach continues to attract admiration from actors, including Jodie Comer, who stars in 28 Years Later. She recently described working with him as "a proper dream."
The new film marks a return to horror for Boyle, whose 2002 hit *28 Days Later* helped redefine the zombie genre. Reflecting on his enduring love for filmmaking, Boyle told the BBC, "There’s still something intangible but amazing about cinema."