The world of espionage and assassination takes center stage with The Day of the Jackal (2024), a dramatic reimagining of Frederick Forsyth’s iconic 1971 novel. Directed by Brian Kirk, this British spy thriller television series, which premiered in November 2024, blends tension, action, and intelligence into a relentless cat-and-mouse chase between a legendary assassin and the forces determined to stop him. Starring Eddie Redmayne, Lashana Lynch, and Daniel Brühl, the series revitalizes the classic story with a contemporary twist, captivating audiences with its high-stakes drama and stellar performances. As it continues to unfold with a confirmed second season, this article delves into the series’ production, the actors’ contributions, its thematic depth, and why it has become a standout in the 2024 television landscape.
A Modern Retelling of a Classic Tale
Originally a novel that inspired a 1973 film starring Edward Fox, The Day of the Jackal has been reenvisioned for the 21st century by writer and showrunner Ronan Bennett. Set against today’s turbulent geopolitical backdrop, the series shifts the narrative from the historical attempt on Charles de Gaulle’s life to a modern assassination plot involving a tech entrepreneur. The titular Jackal, portrayed by Eddie Redmayne, is an elusive assassin whose meticulous planning and disguises make him a formidable figure. His pursuit by MI6 agent Bianca Pullman, played by Lashana Lynch, forms the heart of the series, with Daniel Brühl joining as a key figure whose role adds further intrigue.
Filming began in June 2023 across four countries—Hungary, Austria, Croatia, and the UK—spanning seven months. Locations like Budapest, Vienna, and Rabac, Croatia, lend a global scope, with the series’ atmospheric cinematography enhancing its suspenseful tone. Premiering on November 7, 2024, on Sky Atlantic and Now in the UK, and November 14 on Peacock in the US, the ten-episode first season concluded on December 12, 2024, earning critical acclaim and two Golden Globe nominations for Best Television Series – Drama and Best Actor for Redmayne. The swift renewal for a second season reflects its immediate impact.
The Stellar Cast: Bringing Characters to Life
Eddie Redmayne, an Oscar winner for The Theory of Everything, embodies the Jackal with a chilling yet magnetic presence. Cast in March 2023, Redmayne approached the role with a blend of trepidation and enthusiasm, drawn to the chance to explore the enigmatic assassin’s psyche over multiple episodes. His performance, marked by seamless disguises and a calculated demeanor, has been praised for uncovering a new dimension of acting, with critics noting his ability to shift from cold professionalism to fleeting human vulnerability. Redmayne’s involvement as an executive producer further shaped the character, ensuring a fresh take distinct from the original film.
Lashana Lynch, known for No Time to Die and Captain Marvel, joined in June 2023 as Bianca Pullman, an MI6 firearms expert tasked with tracking the Jackal. Initially hesitant due to her recent spy role, Lynch embraced the part, collaborating on Bianca’s look with wigs by Morris Roots and a casual costume design featuring sneakers and bomber jackets. Her portrayal, however, has divided opinions—some laud her fierce determination, while others find her character flat or miscast, citing a lack of emotional depth. As a co-executive producer, Lynch brought agency to the role, aiming to redefine female intelligence officers on screen.
Daniel Brühl, added to the cast later, brings his signature intensity, seen in Rush and Inglourious Basterds, to a role that remains shrouded in mystery. Though specific details about his character are sparse, his presence suggests a significant player in the unfolding drama, possibly a rival or ally to the Jackal. Brühl’s addition enhances the series’ international flair, complementing the ensemble that includes Úrsula Corberó as the Jackal’s unsuspecting wife, Nuria, and veterans like Charles Dance and Richard Dormer.
Production and Creative Vision
Directed by Brian Kirk, with additional direction from Anthony Philipson, Paul Wilmshurst, and Anu Menon, The Day of the Jackal is a co-production of Sky Studios and Peacock, produced by Carnival Films. Ronan Bennett’s script reimagines the source material, expanding the Jackal’s backstory and introducing a family dynamic absent in the original. Frederick Forsyth, the novel’s author, served as a consulting producer, ensuring reverence for the classic while allowing modern adaptations. The series’ production faced challenges, including Glenn Close’s brief illness with COVID-19 and RSV, yet the cast’s dedication shone through.
The shoot’s diverse locations—Budapest’s urban sprawl, Vienna’s historic streets, and Croatia’s coastal beauty—mirror the Jackal’s globetrotting nature. The series’ pacing, however, has drawn mixed reviews, with some arguing its ten-episode length stretches the narrative thin, introducing subplots that dilute the central chase. Despite this, the production’s high values—stunning cinematography, a gripping soundtrack, and elaborate action sequences—have been widely celebrated, drawing comparisons to The Night Manager and Mission: Impossible.
Themes and Tonal Shifts
The Day of the Jackal explores themes of morality, identity, and the cost of obsession. Redmayne’s Jackal, a chameleon who thrives on anonymity, contrasts with Lynch’s Bianca, whose relentless pursuit mirrors his own precision. The series delves into their moral ambiguity, with both characters leaving trails of destruction—Bianca through collateral damage, the Jackal through calculated kills. This duality “speaks to the moment,” as Redmayne noted, reflecting a world where right and wrong blur amid global instability.
The gothic undertones, hinted at by church settings and the title’s biblical resonance, suggest a darker tone than the original film’s clinical approach. Bennett’s script balances thriller conventions with character depth, particularly through Nuria’s arc, which humanizes the Jackal. Critics have praised this expansion, though some feel it sacrifices the original’s taut focus for episodic sprawl. The series’ contemporary setting, targeting a tech mogul whose software threatens the elite, adds relevance, echoing real-world debates on privacy and power.
Critical Reception and Cultural Impact
With an 85% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes and a 72/100 on Metacritic, The Day of the Jackal has been lauded as a “globetrotting thriller” with “eerily plausible” stakes. Richard Roeper of the Chicago Sun-Times gave it three and a half stars, praising Redmayne’s “reptilian performance,” while David Fear of Rolling Stone highlighted the leads’ chemistry, though he critiqued its bloated runtime. Lynch’s portrayal has sparked debate, with some viewers finding her character’s intensity compelling and others seeing it as a miscast, a sentiment echoed in online discussions.
The series’ success is evident in its Golden Globe nods and season two renewal, announced before the first season’s end. Its global distribution—via Peacock, Sky, and platforms like Showmax and Disney+—has broadened its reach, making it a cultural touchstone. Posts found on X reflect fan excitement, with many anticipating Brühl’s role and debating the chase’s outcome. The show’s blend of prestige and pulp has positioned it as a 2024 highlight, despite pacing critiques.
Looking Ahead
As The Day of the Jackal prepares for its second season, the narrative’s future remains open. The first season’s climax, a tense shootout in Cadiz, Spain, saw the Jackal outsmart Bianca, setting the stage for a continued duel. With Redmayne, Lynch, and Brühl poised to return, the series could deepen its exploration of the Jackal’s psyche and Bianca’s resolve, potentially addressing criticisms of length with a tighter focus.
Set to air in late 2025 or 2026, the next installment will build on the first’s momentum, leveraging its cast and Johnson’s vision. For now, the series stands as a thrilling reimagining, blending classic espionage with modern stakes. Mark your calendars and stream the first season to join the chase—because in the world of the Jackal, the game is far from over.
