Eddie Redmayne’s The Day of the Jackal: Trailer, Release Date, cast, plot, Episodes, & Everything we know

During the 2023 Olympics opening ceremony in Paris, Peacock and Sky gave audiences a first look at the upcoming thriller drama series The Day of the Jackal. Recently, Peacock ramped up excitement by releasing a fiery new trailer that teases intense action, explosive chases, and the Jackal’s use of clever disguises to evade capture. With a stellar cast that includes Eddie Redmayne and Lashana Lynch, this thriller promises to be packed with suspense, twists, and surprises.

The Day of the Jackal revolves around a loner contract killer called The Jackal, who barely has any rivals. He earns his bread and butter by killing people in exchange for an exorbitant fee. However, after his latest job, he crosses paths with a strong-willed British intelligence officer, who begins to hunt him down. What follows is an exciting cat-and-mouse game across Europe. Starring Redmayne as a chameleon-like assassin, this reimagined version brings Frederick Forsyth's iconic story into the modern world, set against today's complex political landscape.

We have more information about the show, such as the premiere date, where you can stream it online, the official trailer, first-look images, cast details, and more. We will keep updating this article as and when more information becomes available. So keep reading to learn everything we know about The Day of the Jackal so far. 

Release date & Where to Watch

The Day of the Jackal will debut in the US on Peacock on Thursday, Nov. 14, 2024, with the first five episodes dropping on the premiere day. Afterward, new episodes will be released every Thursday, culminating in a double-episode finale on Thursday, Dec. 12, 2024.

For viewers in the UK, Ireland, and other European countries such as Italy, Germany, Switzerland, and Austria, the series will air on Sky Atlantic and NOW, premiering slightly earlier on Thursday, Nov. 7, 2024.

Plot

Redmayne stars as the Jackal, a deadly assassin for hire, in this thrilling reimagining of The Day of the Jackal. The story follows the elusive hitman, whose ability to stay undetected is unmatched, as he navigates a dangerous game after completing a high-profile kill. His lethal talents are put to the test when a determined British intelligence officer, played by Lynch, makes it her mission to track him down. The series sets off a tense, globe-spanning chase across Europe, with both sides locked in a high-stakes game of cat-and-mouse.

While further details remains under wraps, it’s clear that this new adaptation brings the classic Frederick Forsyth novel into the modern geopolitical landscape. Staying true to the original's core, the series promises to explore the Jackal’s character in greater depth, portraying him as a chameleon-like anti-hero in a high-octane thriller, packed with tension, action, and global intrigue. The narrative unfolds as Lynch’s investigator relentlessly pursues the Jackal, creating a nail-biting chase that leaves chaos in its wake.

Cast & First-Look Images

Oscar winner Eddie Redmayne, known for titles like Les Misérables, The Theory of Everything, The Danish Girl, and The Trial of the Chicago 7, plays the main character of The Jackal.

British actress Lashana Lynch, best known for her parts in Captain Marvel, The Woman King, Matilda: The Musical, and No Time to Die, plays Bianca, a detective.

Spanish actress Úrsula Corberó, best known for her role as Tokyo in Netflix’s Money Heist, portrays the role of Nuria, a close acquaintance of The Jackal.

Other cast members include:

• Ben Hall as Damian
• Sule Rimi (Foundation) as Paul Pullman
• Stuart Whelan as Police
• Florisa Kamara (Dodger) as Jasmine
• Jonjo O'Neill (The New Look) as Edward Carver
• Adam James as Jeremy Whitelock
• Christy Meyer as Leonora Boggs
• Lee Byford as Police Officer
• Martin McDougall as Keith Canvey
• Russell Balogh as Chris
• Andreas Jessen as Rasmus
• Jan-Martin Müller as Joachim Müller
• Lucy Russell as Marjorie Marshall
• Eddie Elks as Captain Baldwin
• Charles Dance (The Serpent Queen) as Timothy Winthorp
• Richard Dormer (Blue Lights) as Norman
• Chukwudi Iwuji (The Split) as Osita Halcrow
• Lia Williams (Mr Bates vs The Post Office) as Isabel Kirby
• Khalid Abdalla (The Crown) as Ulle Dag Charles
• Eleanor Matsuura (The Walking Dead) as Zina Jansone

Episode Guide (US)

• Season 1 Episode 1 (Thursday, Nov. 14, 2024)
• Season 1 Episode 2 (Thursday, Nov. 14, 2024)
• Season 1 Episode 3 (Thursday, Nov. 14, 2024)
• Season 1 Episode 4 (Thursday, Nov. 14, 2024)
• Season 1 Episode 5 (Thursday, Nov. 14, 2024)
• Season 1 Episode 6 (Thursday, Nov. 21, 2024)
• Season 1 Episode 7 (Friday, Nov. 29, 2024)
• Season 1 Episode 8 (Tuesday, Dec. 5, 2024)
• Season 1 Episode 9 (Tuesday, Dec. 12, 2024)
• Season 1 Episode 10 (Tuesday, Dec. 12, 2024)

Official Trailer

In the trailer, Redmayne portrays the enigmatic and highly skilled assassin known as the Jackal. “He never looks the same way twice,” remarks Lynch’s character, an intelligence officer, as the Jackal removes a rubber mask, showcasing his ability to stay elusive. Set to the eerie tones of Radiohead’s “Everything in Its Right Place,” the intense clip features high-speed chases, car crashes, and explosions, as the authorities get closer to capturing the Jackal while he plans his next hit.

What is The Day of the Jackal Based on?

The series is based on the 1971 Frederick Forsyth novel of the same name. The story focuses on an English hitman known as The Jackal. He is hired by a French rebel military group to assassinate the French president Charles de Gaulle. The story also follows deputy police commissioner Claude Lebel, who is determined to arrest him.

Where was The Day of the Jackal Filmed?

Filming for The Day of the Jackal series commenced in June 2023, spanning four countries over a seven-month schedule. The production kicked off in Budapest, Hungary, and its surrounding areas. In July 2023, the shoot moved to Vienna, Austria. By autumn 2023, filming continued across Croatia, with key locations including Rijeka, Pag, Dubrovnik, and the central Istrian region.

The Day of the Jackal Previous Film Adaptations

The book was first adapted into a movie of the same name in 1973. The movie starred Edward Fox as the Jackal and Michael Lonsdale as the cop trying to nab him. Other cast members included Derek Jacobi, Michel Auclair, and Tony Britton.

Bruce Willis played the titular character in the 1997 movie The Jackal alongside Richard Gere, Sidney Poitier, and Jack Black. Unfortunately, there were some differences, and author Frederick Forsyth did not want his name to be associated with this film.

Behind the Scenes

Ronan Bennett, the acclaimed creator of Top Boy, writes and adapts the Day of the Jackal series. Bennett also serves as showrunner for this production, while Brian Kirk, known for his work on Luther and Game of Thrones, is the lead director. 

Redmayne takes on the role of executive producer alongside Gareth Neame, Nigel Marchant from Carnival Films, Sue Naegle, and Sam Hoyle for Sky Studios. Marianne Buckland and Lynch are co-executive producers, while Frederick Forsyth, author of the original novel, serves as a consulting producer. The production team includes Christopher Hall as producer and Emily Shapland as co-producer.