'The Day of the Jackal'

‘The Day of the Jackal’
 Eddie Redmayne has played a doctor-slash-serial killer, a scientist, and now, an infamous assassin.

Redmayne leads the latest “The Day of the Jackal” adaptation, with the Peacock series centering on his eponymous hit man. The official synopsis reads: “‘The Day of the Jackal’ follows an unrivaled and highly elusive lone assassin, the Jackal (Redmayne), who makes his living carrying out hits for the highest fee. But following his latest kill, he meets his match in a tenacious British intelligence officer (Lashana Lynch) who starts to track down the Jackal in a thrilling cat-and-mouse chase across Europe, leaving destruction in its wake.”

Úrsula Corberó, Charles Dance, Richard Dormer, Chukwudi Iwuji, Lia Williams, Khalid Abdalla, Eleanor Matsuura, Jonjo O’Neill, Nick Blood, Sule Rimi, and Florisa Kamara also star.

The original “The Day of the Jackal” book centered on assassination attempts on French president Charles de Gaulle in 1963 amid the Algerian war of independence, with The Jackal hired by the far-right Organisation de L’Armée Secrète to kill the president. Author Frederick Forsyth received an Edgar Award for Best Novel from the Mystery Writers of America in 1972.

The novel was later adapted into Fred Zinnemann’s 1973 feature, also titled “The Day of the Jackal,” plus 1988 film “August 1” directed by Sibi Malayil, and 1997’s “The Jackal” starring Bruce Willis, Richard Gere, and Sidney Poitier.

Now, the 10-episode series is directed by Brian Kirk, who also executive produces alongside writer Ronan Bennett, Carnival Films’ Gareth Neame and Nigel Marchant, Sky Studios’ Sam Hoyle, and Sue Naegle. Chris Hall produces with author Forsyth as a consulting producer.

Actors Redmayne and Lynch also both executive produce. The series is produced by Carnival Films and distributed by NBCUniversal Global TV Distribution.

The “contemporary reimagining” of the IP was announced as a series in November 2022. “The Day of the Jackal” is Redmayne’s first major TV role and marks his return to the screen after starring in “Cabaret” on Broadway.

“The Day of the Jackal” premieres November 14 on Peacock with the first 5 episodes, followed by episodes weekly and a double-episode finale on December 12. Check out the trailer below.