Eddie Redmayne, The Day of the Jackal book cover

Credit: Getty / Sky Group

The next massive spy thriller is about to hit the small screen and features some pretty big names to boot. 

The Day of the Jackal is based on the book of the same name by Frederick Forsyth and originally had its first film adaptation in 1973 and again in 1997. Top Boy’s creator Ronan Bennett is behind the new small screen story.

Now, it’s getting the 10-episode telly treatment across Sky in the UK and Peacock in the US, with Top Boy’s creator Ronan Bennett behind the new small screen story.  We’ve got all the details you need to know about The Day of the Jackal!

What is The Day of the Jackal about? 

The spy thriller follows a professional assassin, known only as ‘The Jackal’ who is contracted to murder the President of France, Charles de Gaulle.

While Jackal is historical fiction, the organisation behind the assassination, the OAS, did exist and the said plot to kill de Gaulle also occurred, but the rest is from the imagination of Forsyth.

The Jackal tries to complete his mission all while deceiving both English and French detectives trying to stop his plans, and while this new series will stay true to the original source material, the official synopsis says there will be changes to the story.

It reads: “The new series is a bold, contemporary reimagining of the beloved and respected novel and film. While remaining true to the DNA of the original IP, this contemporary drama will delve deeper into the chameleon like ‘anti-hero’ at the heart of the story, in a high octane, cinematic, globetrotting ‘cat and mouse’ thriller, set amidst the turbulent geo-political landscape of our time.”

Who stars in The Day of the Jackal?

Fantastic Beasts star Eddie Redmayne was first confirmed as the illusive ‘Jackal’ last year, alongside Bob Marley: One Love actress Lashana Lynch as MI6 agent Bianca.

Money Heist star Ursula Corbero was recently announced as Nuria, a woman who knows Jackal in his personal life but is unaware of who he truly is.

The illustrious cast also includes Game of Thrones’ Charles Dance as Timothy Winthrop, Blue Lights actor Richard Dormer as Norman and Marvel actor Chukwudi Iwuji as Osita Halcrow, according to Variety.

When will The Day of the Jackal be released?

There’s yet to be a full release date for The Day of the Jackal, but the 10-part series is expected to air on Sky in the UK and Peacock in the US later this year. So watch this space!