Everything You Need to Know About Eddie Redmayne’s Assassin Show ‘The Day of the Jackal’
The second adaptation of Frederick Forsyth’s novel will be a 10-episode miniseries.
Everyone loves a lone assassin up against the world. From James Bond to “The Old Man,” the format seems to work. And so, it shouldn’t come as a surprise that Peacock is throwing their hat in the ring with the miniseries, “The Day of the Jackal.” This reimagining of Frederick Forsyth’s novel of the same name, which also spawned the 1973 movie, stars Eddie Redmayne in the lead role as the enigmatic assassin known simply as “The Jackal.” Here’s everything you need to know about the 10-episode series, debuting Thursday, Nov. 14 on Peacock.
Everything You Need to Know About ‘The Day of the Jackal’:
What is ‘The Day of the Jackal’ About?
“The Day of the Jackal” is a modern adaptation of Frederick Forsyth’s 1971 political thriller novel. The story centers on a high-stakes chase between a skilled assassin known only as “The Jackal” and a determined British intelligence officer. Eddie Redmayne plays the elusive Jackal, while Lashana Lynch stars as Bianca, the British intelligence officer tasked with capturing him. The series follows their intense game of cat and mouse as the Jackal takes on a series of dangerous assignments while evading capture. Filmed in a bunch of locations across Europe, including London, Budapest, Austria, and multiple spots in Croatia, the show balances suspenseful espionage drama with a fresh aesthetic, honoring the classic cat-and-mouse tension of the original story.
While the novel is set in the 1960s and follows a failed assassination attempt on French President Charles de Gaulle, Peacock has brought the story to the modern day. That means the series will reflect today’s geopolitical realities, along with the advanced tech and tactics in regular use by central intelligence agencies around the world. It’s also taking a page out of Prime Video’s “Citadel” by branding itself as an international original drama. Peacock is the U.S. home of the show, while Sky Atlantic and NOW are carrying the show across the pond.
Who Are the Main Characters of ‘The Day of the Jackal’?
-
The Jackal: Brought to life by Eddie Redmayne, the Jackal is a deadly assassin known for his ability to blend into any environment. He’s described as a “chameleon-like anti-hero,” using his strategic skills and disguises to remain elusive.
-
Bianca: Played by Lashana Lynch, Bianca is a determined British intelligence officer on a mission to catch the Jackal. This adaptation updates the original story by placing a woman in this role.
-
Nuria: Úrsula Corberó plays Nuria, a new character added for the series adaptation. She has personal ties to the Jackal, though she doesn’t know his true identity as an assassin.
-
Timothy Winthrop: Charles Dance takes on the role of Timothy Winthrop, a big figure in the political landscape of the series. His character’s involvement hints at the broader geopolitical intrigue at the show’s heart.
-
Norman: Portrayed by Richard Dormer, Norman is another character tied to the intelligence operations within the series. His role helps to flush out the web of uneasy alliances paramount to espionage today.
Who Are the Creators Behind ‘The Day of the Jackal’?
“The Day of the Jackal” is led by Ronan Bennett, who serves as the writer and showrunner. Bennett created the British crime drama series “Top Boy” – which you can stream on Netflix, along with the show “Gunpowder” on Max. He also wrote the feature screenplay for “Public Enemies.” Bennett’s got a ton of experience creating complex, character-driven stories, so “The Day of the Jackal” should be in good hands. The series is directed and executive produced by Brian Kirk, a veteran of the industry who’s worked on huge shows like “Game of Thrones,” “Penny Dreadful,” and the aforementioned “Citadel.”
What Time Will Episodes of ‘The Day of the Jackal’ Come on Peacock?
“The Day of the Jackal” will release five episodes (the first half of season one) on Thursday, Nov. 14. Following the initial drop, episodes will continue with weekly releases, leading to a two-episode finale on Thursday, Dec. 12.
Here’s the broadcast schedule for the “The Day of the Jackal”:
| Release Date | Episode Number |
|---|---|
| Thursday, Nov. 7 | 1 - 5 (U.K.) |
| Thursday, Nov. 14 | 1 - 5 (U.S.) |
| Thursday, Nov. 21 | 6 |
| Thursday, Nov. 28 | 7 |
| Thursday, Dec. 5 | 8 |
| Thursday, Dec. 12 | 9 & 10 |
What Other Ronan Bennett Titles Are Available to Stream?
If you’re looking for a taste of some other Ronan Bennett shows before jumping into “The Day of the Jackal,” check out some of his TV and films and where to stream them below.
-
Top Boy
September 13, 2019Two seasoned drug dealers return to the gritty street of London, but their pursuit of money and power is threatened by a young and ruthless hustler.
-
Gunpowder
October 21, 2017London, 1605. Robert Catesby, a 33-year old Warwickshire gentleman, devises a plot to blow up Parliament and kill the King.
-
Public Enemies
July 1, 2009Depression-era bank robber John Dillinger’s charm and audacity endear him to much of America’s downtrodden public, but he’s also a thorn in the side of J. Edgar Hoover and the fledgling FBI. Desperate to capture the elusive outlaw, Hoover makes Dillinger his first Public Enemy Number One and assigns his top agent, Melvin Purvis, the task of bringing him in dead or alive.
-
Dead Shot
August 18, 2023In the 1970s, a member of the IRA takes over an Active Service Unit in London after his wife is accidentally shot dead in Ireland. The unit’s mission is to cause chaos and destruction, while his personal aim is to hunt down his wife’s killer — an SAS captain, who is also hunting him.
-
Lucky Break
August 24, 2001Half-way through his 12-year prison sentence for an incompetent armed robbery, Jimmy Hands gets a lucky break: he’s transferred to a prison from which he can probably escape. He convinces the governor to stage a musical in an old chapel next to the prison’s outer wall. He rounds up volunteer actors and puts his escape plan into production. Two other barriers, besides the wall, confront him: the arrival of a nasty inmate, John Toombes, who insists on joining the escape, and Jimmy’s feelings of attraction for Anabel, a social worker who agrees to appear in the play. Opening night approaches: is this Jimmy’s breakout performance?
-
