According to The Hollywood Reporter, Eddie Redmayne (The Theory of Everything, The Danish Girl) has confirmed his return as the lead in season two of The Day of the Jackal.
The first season, which wrapped on December 12, captivated audiences with its intense storyline and twist ending. The show, a modern adaptation of Frederick Forsyth’s 1971 novel, follows a suspenseful game of cat-and-mouse between Redmayne’s skilled assassin and an MI6 agent played by Lashana Lynch (No Time to Die). Details about the second season were kept under wraps until now to avoid spoiling the finale.
“Thank you so much for watching and supporting The Day of the Jackal,” Redmayne said in a Sky Instagram post on Thursday. “If there’s one thing that the Jackal can’t stand, it’s a loose end. So we will see you soon for season two.”
In an interview with The Hollywood Reporter, Redmayne shared his initial hesitations about joining the series. “I loved the original movie and the Frederick Forsyth book,” he admitted. “So when the first three scripts arrived in my inbox, there was a level of hesitation because you don’t want to butcher something you love.”
However, the storyline quickly drew him in. “I read the first episode or two of this series and I found it so propulsive and compelling and the character so enigmatic, that I just wanted to know what happened next,” he said. He also revealed that the potential for a second season played a role in his decision to take the role. “When I signed on for the series, there was an aspiration for the Jackal story to continue. So I knew that was going to be the twist.”
The show’s success has been undeniable. In the U.K., its premiere episode reached 4.5 million viewers within 26 days, making it Sky’s most successful new series debut. In the U.S., it ranked among Peacock’s top five original streaming series during its opening weekend, based on Nielsen data. The series was officially renewed by Peacock and Sky Atlantic last month.
Fans can stream all episodes of The Day of the Jackal on Peacock and Sky.