If you enjoy a spot of extraterrestrial terror, now is a good time to look back at Joe Cornish's Attack the Block – and to see where the young rogues of the sci-fi horror are these days.
The impressive cast was made up of already established names including Nick Frost and Jodie Whittaker, who'd appeared in the likes of Shaun of the Dead and the St Trinian's movies. Of course, both of them went on to have even more success, but the younger cast was where the really interesting things were happening.
It was a 'who's who' of up-and-coming talent. From Star Wars' John Boyega as formidable leader Moses, to Legends of Tomorrow's Franz Drameh delivering pizza as Dennis, the misunderstood gang of hoodlums showed their softer side by the time the credits rolled.
With a long-awaited sequel on the way that'll bring back Cornish and lead star Boyega, what better time to have a look at what the talented young cast has been up to since the movie's release.
John Boyega
Starting things off with the most notable member of the child crop, John Boyega swapped Attack the Block's aliens for a very different kind in that galaxy far, far away. Joining Disney's sequel trilogy, Boyega played reformed stormtrooper FN-2187 (Finn) in Star Wars: The Force Awakens and its two sequels.
While Boyega claims he's put down his lightsaber for now, Star Wars opened the door to roles in Detroit, the 2018 reimagining of Watership Down, Pacific Rim: Uprising and Steve McQueen's Small Axe. Away from the screen, Boyega is also a powerful voice in the Black Lives Matter movement.
Alex Esmail
Alex Esmail might not look like the most likely candidate to be a wrestler, but aside from playing the comedic Pest in Attack the Block, he's been known to rumble in the ring. Although the cast lost out to The Help for Best Ensemble at the 2012 Black Reel Awards, Esmail was named as No. 2 in Popcorn n Roses' list of rising stars in the same year.
Esmail continued his streak of indie productions when he landed parts in Strippers vs Werewolves and the short film My Brother's Keeper (Or How Not To Survive the Apocalypse). The young star hasn't acted as much in recent years, and revealed in March that he has mainly been working as a chef.
Luke Treadaway
For those who think they recognise Luke Treadaway, don't confuse him with twin brother Harry, who was Victor Frankenstein in Penny Dreadful. Aside from Boyega, Treadaway is arguably the most famous of the younger Attack the Block alumni.
Treadaway won the Olivier Award for Best Leading Actor thanks to the National Theatre's 2013 production of The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time, then went on to star in Angelina Jolie's Unbroken, play the young version of Sir Ian McKellen's Freddie in Vicious, and appear as the brilliant (but unhinged) Vincent in Sky Atlantic's Fortitude.
Treadaway most recently reprised his leading role in the Christmas-themed A Gift from Bob, which was a sequel to 2016's A Street Cat Named Bob.
Franz Drameh
Franz Drameh already had an impressive notch on his belt by the time he was delivering pizza as Dennis in Attack the Block.
His role in Cornish's movie came after he starred alongside Matt Damon in Clint Eastwood's Hereafter. Sticking with his trajectory to stardom, Drameh went from playing Dennis to starring alongside Tom Cruise and Emily Blunt in the mind-bending Edge of Tomorrow.
Others might recognise him as Jeffrey 'Jax' Jackson, aka Firestorm, in The CW's Arrowverse. After being introduced in The Flash, Jax went on to have a main role in Legends of Tomorrow and returned for the 'Crisis on Earth-X' crossover event.
Drameh most recently appeared as Batesy in Sky's reimagining of Oliver Twist with Lena Headey, Rita Ora and Sir Michael Caine.
Simon Howard
Simon Howard played the pint-sized Biggz and was the youngest member of the Attack the Block gang. Howard spent most of the movie hiding in a skip and comparing the alien invasion to the Gears of War games, meaning Biggz wasn't exactly the most prominent member of the gang.
Unlike some of Attack the Block's bigger names, Howard hasn't had quite as many roles since. Aside from playing 'Newcastle Fighter' in Green Street 3: Never Back Down, his last credit was a 2014 short called Behind the Eaters.
Leeon Jones
As the (relative) brains of the outfit, Leeon Jones' Jerome was the most "academically inclined" of the boys. Still, that didn't save him from meeting a grisly end at the claws of the aliens. Even though Jerome became a beloved member of the gang and made Jones a standout addition to the cast, that's where his acting story seems to end.
To date, Attack the Block is Jones' only acting credit. However, his LinkedIn page gives fans a sense of what he's been up to – as well as listing a former Sales Consultant role at Barbour, Jones has been a freelance photographer since 2016.
Jumayn Hunter
As the intimidating Hi-Hatz, Jumayn Hunter's role in Attack the Block was as the gun-toting gang leader and main antagonist (ignoring the glow-in-the-dark aliens).
Since playing the movie's big bad, Hunter has gone on to act in the likes of the 2019 Les Misérables TV series. Not to be confused with Tom Hooper's A-list movie from 2012, Hunter played the murderous Montparnasse to continue his villainous streak.
Most notably, Hunter starred in Idris Elba's 2018 directorial debut Yardie and Steve McQueen's Small Axe film Mangrove. He was also reunited with Frost when the Cornetto Trilogy star was an Executive Producer on BBC Two sitcom Out of Her Mind.
Paigey Cakey
Paige Meade is better known by her stage name of Paigey Cakey – which she explained was her childhood nickname due to her perceived wealth. In Attack the Block, Cakey played Dimples, Tia's quick-tempered roommate and friend of the boys.
Cakey has had a successful career since thanks to roles in Waterloo Road and urban drama Vs – where she played a battle rapper called Miss Quotes. Over the years, her music career has seen her collab with everyone from Ms Banks to Stormzy, and she has previously opened up about her personal struggle with traction alopecia.
Danielle Vitalis
Danielle Vitalis – one the 30 young Black British stars selected for Digital Spy Rising – played the hardened Tia and served as Moses' (possible) love interest in Attack the Block. Vitalis has continued acting ever since, appearing in TV dramas Youngers, In the Flesh, and I May Destroy You. Although Michaela Coel drew much of the praise as Arabella in the latter, Vitalis shone as the troubled teen version of the leading lady.
Vitalis is also known for her writing skills, as she's written several episodes of sketch show Famalam and also starred in it. She's expected to reprise her role as Teeka in series two of Dave's Sliced.
Michael Ajao and Sammy Williams
Making up one half of the adorable double act of Probs and Mayhem was Michael Ajao. Reginald, aka Mayhem, had no problems running his mouth or keeping his cool in the midst of an alien attack. Leaving Wyndham Tower behind him, Ajao appeared in the short-lived police drama Cuffs.
Elsewhere, Ajao had a bit part in Silent Witness and has recently finished filming Edgar Wright's Last Night in Soho. The psychological horror features megastars including Anya Taylor-Joy, Matt Smith and the late Dame Diana Rigg.
Gobby Probs made up for what he lacked in size by taking on those ravenous aliens with a Super Soaker full of petrol. He did more than enough to join Moses' gang and bravely stood up to those who might count him out for his stature.
Following his performance as Probs, Sammy Williams has popped up all over the place. Sticking with horror-comedies, Williams starred in Blood and Carpet, before another brush with those little green men in the miniseries The Aliens. Williams' most recent role was a minor part in 2019's The Gentlemen, which also featured Attack the Block co-star Franz Drameh.
Attack the Block is available to watch on Amazon Prime Video.
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Tom Chapman is a pop culture-loving writer and NCTJ-accredited Broadcast Journalist with over seven years of experience covering the small and silver screen.
Starting his career with a post at Movie Pilot in Berlin, Tom took on freelancing full-time with regular stints at Digital Spy, Screen Rant and Comic Book Resources.
These days, you can still find him covering all things Marvel and Star Wars at Digital Spy, while dipping his toe in bylines at Yahoo! and IGN.
Tom likes to think his spirit animal is a cross between Gale Weathers and Olenna Tyrell.
