Frederick Forsyth’s 1971 novel The Day of the Jackal arrived at the perfect time, when social unrest and paranoia were running deep. The book touched a nerve, leading to Fred Zinnemann’s 1973 film which is considered a classic of the genre. Multiple versions followed, including 1997’s The Jackal directed by Michael Caton-Jones and starring Bruce Willis and Richard Gere. And now it’s Peacock’s turn to get into the game with The Day of the Jackal, a new series led by Eddie Redmayne and Lashana Lynch.
The original story was based on historical fact before swerving into fiction. It centers on an assassin known as the “Jackal” who is hired by a paramilitary group to kill French president Charles de Gaulle, but finds himself in a game of cat and mouse with a determined British intelligence officer. In real life, there was a failed attempt to assassinate de Gaulle, leading to an underground war with the terrorist OAS.
Oscar-winner Redmayne will take on the role of Jackal, with Lynch, best known for roles in No Time to Die and as Maria Rambeau in Captain Marvel, as the British intelligence officer in pursuit of him. Others in the cast include Ursula Corbero, Charles Dance, Richard Dormer, and Guardians of the Galaxy 3 actor Chukwudi Iwuji.
The series is written and exec-produced by Ronan Bennett (Public Enemies) with episodes directed by Brian Kirk, known for his work on Game of Thrones and the Chadwick Boseman action film 21 Bridges.
SYNOPSIS: An unrivaled and highly elusive lone assassin, the Jackal (Eddie Redmayne), 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 () who starts to track down the Jackal in a thrilling cat-and-mouse chase across Europe, leaving destruction in its wake.
Peacock premieres The Day of the Jackal on November 14th with the first five episodes.
