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Zero Day: Everything we know so far About Robert De Niro-led Political Thriller
Netflix's Zero Day is creating a buzz with its recently released trailer, promising a thrilling ride filled with political intrigue and high-stakes drama. With Robert De Niro taking center stage in his first-ever TV series role, the show has all the right ingredients for a major hit in 2025. The trailer hints at an explosive narrative that will keep audiences on edge.
This political conspiracy thriller dives deep into the chaos of a global cyberattack, where truth and misinformation collide. The star-studded cast and gripping storyline are sure to draw viewers in, eager to see how the mystery unravels. De Niro’s performance alone is generating massive anticipation.
Want the full scoop on everything on Zero Day? From the plot to the cast, we’re breaking it all down, and we’ll continue to update this with new info as it drops. Keep reading to discover more—you won’t want to miss what’s coming next!
Release date & Where to Watch
All six episodes, each an hour long, will be available for streaming on Netflix starting Thursday, Feb. 20, 2025.
What is the plot of Zero Day?
Zero Day delves into the aftermath of a catastrophic cyberattack that kills thousands and pushes the nation to the brink of collapse. The six-episode series follows former US president George Mullen, who’s called out of retirement to lead the Zero Day Commission. The team’s mission is to uncover the perpetrators behind the devastating attack, while Mullen navigates a web of disinformation, conspiracy theories, and personal demons.
The series explores timely themes of misinformation and conspiracy theories, questioning, "How do we find truth in a world in crisis, one seemingly torn apart by forces outside our control? And in an era rife with conspiracy theory and subterfuge, how much of those forces are products of our own doing, perhaps even of our own imagining?"
As Mullen leads the investigation, the series also delves into the personal cost of power. Creator Eric Newman notes, "Zero Day is about the aftermath of a devastating cyberattack that kills thousands and threatens to push a nation already on the brink over the edge." (via Tudum)
Co-creator Noah Oppenheim adds, "The show also looks at the cost of power for those who are asked to take on these enormous challenges — what it means for them personally, and what it means for their families."
Who’s in the cast of Zero Day?
- Robert De Niro (The Irishman, The Alto Knights) stars as George Mullen, a once-popular but complex former U.S. president, who is brought out of retirement to lead the Zero Day Commission—a groundbreaking team of experts assigned to investigate a catastrophic global cyberattack.
In an interview with the Netflix outlet Tudum, De Niro said that honesty is Mullen’s defining trait, which brings him into conflict with many of the show’s other more duplicitous characters. He explained, “That's the spine of my character in the show. Don't dodge anything. Don't play games. Be honest about what's going on so that the public knows what's going on."
- Angela Bassett (Black Panther: Wakanda Forever) stars as Evelyn Mitchell, the sharp and perceptive current U.S. president. Mitchell, a brilliant political strategist, recruits George Mullen for an unprecedented role in American history.
- Jesse Plemons (The Power of the Dog, Fargo) plays Roger Carlson, Mullen’s former aide, now a trusted fixer and ambitious hustler eager for a comeback alongside Mullen.
- Lizzy Caplan (Fleishman Is in Trouble, Fatal Attraction) is Alexandra Mullen, a young New York congresswoman striving to build her own political identity, separate from her father’s legacy.
- Connie Britton (White Lotus, Friday Night Lights) portrays Valerie Whitesell, a savvy political operative and Mullen’s former chief of staff, who returns to public life to manage his new role in the spotlight.
- Joan Allen (The Bourne Ultimatum, The Contender) is Sheila Mullen, the poised former first lady and federal judge nominee. Supportive and ambitious, Sheila is an intelligent woman with strong professional aspirations.
- Matthew Modine (Stranger Things, Oppenheimer) plays Richard Dreyer, the confident and colorful speaker of the house, a seasoned politician skilled in navigating the public sphere.
- Bill Camp (The Queen’s Gambit, The Night Of) stars as CIA director Jeremy Lasch, the ultimate insider with the power to be both a dangerous foe and valuable ally to Mullen.
- Dan Stevens (Gaslit, Beauty and the Beast) is Evan Green, a charismatic and divisive TV political commentator who becomes Mullen’s fiercest public critic.
- McKinley Belcher III (We Own This City, Ozark) plays Carl Otieno, a tough and brilliant DOJ lawyer, serving as the lead investigator for the Zero Day Commission.
- Gaby Hoffmann (Transparent, Girls) is Monica Kidder, a controversial Silicon Valley billionaire whose technological vision and influence could either aid or complicate Mullen’s investigation.
- Clark Gregg (Painkiller, Florida Man) portrays Robert Lyndon, a corporate raider and billionaire political manipulator with a mastery of behind-the-scenes power plays.
- Mark Ivanir (Away, Barry) plays Natan, an intelligence operative and Mullen confidant from a time when intelligence and trust still held value.
Is There a Trailer for Zero Day?
The trailer for Zero Day opens with the chilling aftermath of a devastating cyberattack that plunges the nation into chaos.
As Robert De Niro's former President George Mullen states, “Three thousand, four hundred and two people died on Zero Day,” haunting images flash of a broken nation—smoke rising over New York City, office lights flickering off, and panicked crowds scrambling in the streets. News anchors announce, "absolute nationwide terror," while a chilling warning appears on screens across America: “This will happen again.”
The trailer quickly pulls us into the political turmoil that follows the attack, as current President Evelyn Mitchell tasks Mullen with leading the Zero Day Commission. “Congress has authorized a special Zero Day commission, hunting down anyone who aided and abetted this horrific attack,” she tells him. Mullen, clearly uncomfortable with the power he’s being asked to wield, asks, “You’re just gonna grab people off the streets without warrants?” to which Mitchell sharply responds, “Actually, you are.”
As the investigation unfolds, the nation faces further unrest. Mullen, now back in the political spotlight, must confront not only the immediate threat of cyber warfare but also the political intrigue, disinformation, and power struggles that surround him. As President Mitchell warns, “If the public finds out how deep this really is, I don’t think we survive that.”
In the final moments of the trailer, Mullen’s personal and professional worlds collide as his wife confronts him about his involvement in the investigation, questioning his mental state. Meanwhile, the trailer highlights growing civil liberties concerns, with whispers of conspiracy theories gaining traction.
The trailer leaves us on edge, hinting at Mullen’s troubled past, a nation on the brink of collapse, and the ominous certainty that another attack is imminent.
Prior to that, the streamer released a teaser giving a clear glimpse into the show’s tense tone and twist-filled plot. See De Niro lead the investigation into the truth behind Zero Day in the teaser below. As Bassett, who plays President Mitchell, tells him in the trailer, “People will believe what they need to believe.”
You can get a first look at Zero Day with a sneak peek of the opening scene right here. The scene sets the tone for the political thriller, drawing viewers into its intense and gripping world. As the show kicks off, we’re introduced to a high-stakes situation that immediately establishes the show's dark and suspenseful atmosphere. Make sure to catch this sneak peek to get a taste of the tension and intrigue that lies ahead.
Behind the Scenes
Zero Day is an upcoming American political thriller created by Eric Newman, Noah Oppenheim, and Michael Schmidt for Netflix. All six episodes are directed by executive producer Lesli Linka Glatter.
In addition to starring, Robert De Niro serves as an executive producer, marking his first time both acting in and producing a TV series. He is joined by Newman, Oppenheim, Schmidt, and Jonathan Glickman as executive producers.
When the series was announced in March 2023, Newman shared his excitement to Netflix, saying, “I am a lifelong fan of Robert De Niro. To have him as a producing partner and star in this show is beyond my wildest dreams. And Lesli Linka Glatter has directed so many of my favorite episodes of television; she was our clear first choice to direct this show.”
He further added, “I am grateful to Netflix for their continued faith and support and thrilled to be in business with the amazing creative team of Noah [Oppenheim, creator and executive producer], Lesli, and Jonathan [Glickman, executive producer] on this timely (and terrifying) series.”
Newman also praised De Niro’s involvement with Tudum, stating, “He very much became our partner in this process — very hands-on, very involved, read everything at every stage, and it’s been an incredible honor and privilege. You can count on one hand the actors and actresses in history who bring this level of gravitas, pedigree, and talent to their work.”
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