We’ve seen Eddie Redmayne in all kinds of modes over the years – as genius physicist Stephen Hawking in The Theory Of Everything, as introverted wizard Newt Scamander in the Fantastic Beasts films, as a megalomaniacal space deity in Jupiter Ascending. But now, we’ll see him in an all-new light – the series adaptation of classic ‘70s thriller film The Day Of The Jackal has Redmayne as its titular Jackal, a master assassin whose sharp-shooting exploits find him hunted down by the authorities. Here, that’s Lashana Lynch’s intelligence officer Bianca, ready to embark on a cat-and-mouse chase to take the Jackal down. Watch the tense trailer here:
The series is a new adaptation of Frederick Forsyth’s novel of the same name (previously re-adapted as 1997 Bruce Willis-starring film The Jackal), but swaps the ‘70s setting for the current political climate. Top Boy creator Ronan Bennett is on writing duties, with Brian Kirk (formerly behind multiple early episodes of Game Of Thrones) in the director’s chair, while the cast also includes Thrones’ Charles Dance, Guardians 3 villain Chukwudi Iwuji, and Richard Dormer. The series will be available on Sky in the UK, and will arrive on Peacock in the States.
Here’s the official synopsis: “An unrivalled 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 (Lashana Lynch) who starts to track down the Jackal in a thrilling cat-and-mouse chase across Europe, leaving destruction in its wake.” The Day Of The Jackal comes to Sky (and Peacock) from 7 November.