Joshua Goldman
Joshua Goldman
min read · June 19, 2025 · Entertainment

From Film Star to Punk Princess: Megan Burns' Unexpected Journey

Megan Burns was just 16 years old when she played Hannah, the daughter of Brendan Gleeson's character Frank, in the 2002 film 28 Days Later

SCANDALOUS COMEBACK!

Megan Burns, the 16-year-old actress who stole our hearts as Hannah in Danny Boyle's groundbreaking zombie movie "28 Days Later" (2002), has been living a life that's almost unrecognizable from her rebellious punk princess persona. But, darling, it seems she's finally ready to shake off the dust and reclaim her spot in the spotlight!

Just last year, Megan reactivated her Instagram account under her alter ego, Betty Curse – yes, that's her stage name! As Betty, she released music under Island Records, her debut album "Here Lies Betty Curse" dropping in 2006. But after taking a break from the music scene, it seemed like our girl had hung up her microphone for good.

However, the actress, now 38, looks complete different now after leaving the world of acting soon after the movie in favour of a quirky career change

FROM ACTRESS TO ARTIST MANAGER

Fast-forward to today, and Megan's still an artist manager, but she's got a new project brewing – or should we say, "unearthed"? Her Instagram post announcing her return to the music scene read: "Greetings Darlings, apologies for my long absence... I found myself involved in the activity of living and lost track of time. How quickly it passes when one must remember to breathe and feed." Deep breaths, indeed!

A MOTHER'S LOVE

Twenty years on Megan looks completely different after going into music under the stage name Betty Curse and adopting a punk princess image

As we mentioned earlier, Megan's a mother to a 12-year-old daughter, Scarlett (born in 2012). We can only imagine what kind of rockstar mom she is – juggling gigs with playdates!

28 DAYS LATER... AGAIN?

Now that the cat's out of the bag about Betty Curse's return, fans are eagerly awaiting new music from this punk princess. But did you know that Megan has been keeping busy in the acting world, too? Her last role was in a short film called "Intruders" (2018). We can only speculate what she's working on now...

Before her breakout role in 28 Days Later, Megan was cast in the 2000 film Liam, for which she won the Marcello Mastroianni Award at the Venice Film Festival for her performance (Pictured)

28 YEARS LATER... FINALLY!

And speaking of "28 Days Later," we're just one week away from the highly anticipated sequel – yes, you read that right, 20 years after the original! Alex Garland and Danny Boyle have assembled an A-list cast featuring Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Jodie Comer, Ralph Fiennes, Jack O'Connell, and child actor Alfie Williams. Critics are weighing in on this new zombie horror movie ahead of its release.

A DECADE OF WAITING...

Megan is seen as Hannah in 28 Dasy in 2002, sporting an Ellesse cap as she sits behind the wheel of a car

The original "28 Days Later" revolutionized the genre with its fast-paced, adrenaline-fueled action and groundbreaking special effects. Now, we're about to experience a whole new wave of terror as the virus spreads to a secluded island – Lindisfarne – where our heroes will fight for survival.

CRITICS WEIGH IN

Rotten Tomatoes have handed the movie an impressive 94% critic approval rating after gathering reviews from over 91 film critics! The verdict is in: this new movie is a must-see, darling!

As Betty Curse, she released music under Island Records and her debut album Here Lies Betty Curse dropped in 2006

The star, who is known for songs like Girl With Yellow Hair and Excuse All The Blood, saw her last released record in 2007 and she worked as an artist manager, taking a break from her persona

23 years on from the original which saw a deadly virus plague London, the new movie finds a group of survivors living on the secluded island of Lindisfarne, where the virus is yet to reach (Pictured: Aaron Taylor-Johnson as Jamie and Alfie Williams as Spike)

Spike (left) - played by Alfie Williams who has been dubbed a 'gem' by critics - is a 12-year-old boy whose mother Isla (Jodie Comer) is unwell, confused and depressed