An adaption of Fredrick Forsyth’s book and 1973 film, “The Day of The Jackal” is an addictive thriller that follows the Jackal (Eddie Redmayne), a mysterious assassin who carries out high profile hits for large sums of money. After successfully killing a notorious political figure, the Jackal receives his biggest offer yet. Simultaneously, he begins to attract the attention of British MI6 officer Bianca Pullman (Lashana Lynch). As the Jackal begins to meticulously plan his next hit—which, if successful, could allow him to leave this life for good— Bianca Pullman starts to hunt him down. Eventually, a cat-and-mouse chase across Europe ensues. With the stakes higher than ever, the Jackal works around the clock to successfully complete his mission while also trying to remain undercover away from Bianca, whose sole goal is to stop the Jackal for good. As the hunt goes on, more and more casualties pile up and the personal lives of both Bianca and the Jackal are affected. As they both risk their lives and push themselves to the most dangerous limits, it’s a race to the end to see who will ultimately come out on top.
Released on the streaming service Peacock last year, the TV miniseries features 10 episodes. Directed by Fred Zinnemann, the show reached ratings of 85% on Rotten Tomatoes and an IMDb of 8.2/10. As someone who doesn’t usually enjoy action movies or TV shows, I was quite surprised when I found myself hooked after watching the very first episode. The show incorporates plot twists at the perfect times to always keep me on the edge of my seat. Little hints are dropped throughout the show, which ultimately build up to the finale, keeping the viewer drawn in.
In terms of character performance, Eddie Redmayne, who plays the Jackal, perfectly embodies the attitude of a cold-blooded assassin. On the other hand, Lashana Lynch, who plays Bianca Pullman, brings both the grit and courage of an MI6 officer along with the emotional depth of a mother. These two characters build off of each other very well to create a captivating show.
Since its release, the show has been renewed for another season. While there isn’t an exact release date, given the production timeline of the first season, we can expect the second season to be released sometime in mid-2026. If you’re looking for an action-packed thriller with emotional depth and unexpected twists, “The Day of the Jackal” is perfect for you.
