Eddie Redmayne mesmerises in ‘The Day of the Jackal’

A 2024 TV series retelling of a 1971 novel, sounds like it could be riddled with pitfalls – but with a character as compelling as ‘the Jackal’ and an actor as powerful as Eddie Redmayne inhabiting the lead role, The Day of the Jackal has dazzled audiences in over 200 countries around the world. And on 13 January at 8pm, it’s coming to M-Net (DStv Channel 101) to do the same to local audiences.

Based on the book by Frederick Forsyth and with more than a few nods to the award-winning 1973 film adaptation, the 10-part 2024 series follows an elite sniper – a master of disguise and a highly trained killer who coldly carries out hits for a fee.

Following an attack on a high-profile and notorious politician, he’s offered his riskiest job yet – one that could pay him enough to leave his murderous career for good.

But his work has attracted the attention of Bianca (Lashana Lynch), a tenacious British intelligence officer, whose world-class expertise in firearms makes her the ideal candidate to hunt him down.

What follows is a thrilling cat-and-mouse chase across Europe, as the Jackal works to carry out his new mission, while being pursued by Bianca.

However, as the hunt continues and more casualties are caught in their crossfire, it becomes clear that there may be other forces pulling the strings. As both Bianca and the Jackal’s personal lives clash with their work, they risk everything, pushing themselves to their limits with disastrous consequences.

Season 2 has already been commissioned, with season 1 setting new viewership records around the world. To say that critics have been ‘raving’ is an understatement – Joel Golby wrote in The Guardian’s review that “Redmayne is so astonishing he’s uncovered a whole new way of acting”.

Redmayne also serves as an executive producer, alongside writer Ronan Bennett and director Brian Kirk. Lashana Lynch and Marianne Buckland are co-executive producers, while other executive producers include Gareth Neame and Nigel Marchant for Carnival Films, Sam Hoyle for Sky Studios and Sue Naegle. The novel’s author, Frederick Forsyth, acts as consulting producer.

The rest of the stellar cast includes Úrsula Corberó, Charles Dance, Richard Dormer, Chukwudi Iwuji, Lia Williams, Khalid Abdalla, Eleanor Matsuura, Jonjo O’Neill, Nick Blood, Sule Rimi and Florisa Kamara.

For more about The Day of the Jackal, visit the M-Net website and join the conversation on Twitter, Instagram, TikTok and Facebook.