Eddie Redmayne to star in The Day of the Jackal TV adaptation on Sky

Sky has announced a new TV series based on the novel The Day of the Jackal with Eddie Redmayne.

The new series is based on Frederick Forsyth’s seminal thriller and its award-winning 1973 film adaptation from Universal Pictures.

Collaborating with streaming service Peacock in the US, Sky describes the new take as a “bold, contemporary reimagining” which will “delve deeper into the chameleon like ‘anti-hero’ at the heart of the story, in a high octane, cinematic, globetrotting ‘cat and mouse’ thriller, set amidst the turbulent geo-political landscape of our time.”

Academy, Tony and BAFTA award winning actor  Eddie Redmayne (The Good Nurse, Trial of The Chicago Seven and The Theory of Everything) will star as the Jackal, an unrivalled and highly elusive lone assassin, and Lashana Lynch (Bob Marley: One Love, The Woman King, No Time To Die) as Bianca, a tenacious MI6 agent in a relentless, global pursuit to catch him.

Joining them on the cast is Úrsula Corberó, star of global hit series La Casa De Papel (Money Heist), who will play Nuria, someone at the heart of The Jackal’s personal life, entirely unaware of who he truly is.

Also appearing in the TV series are Charles Dance (Game of Thrones, The King’s Man) featuring in the role of Timothy Winthrop, Richard Dormer (Blue Lights, Fortitude, Game of Thrones) as Norman, Chukwudi Iwuji (Guardians of the Galaxy Vol.3, The Split) as Osita Halcrow, Lia Williams (The Capture, The Crown) as Isabel Kirby, Khalid Abdalla (The Crown, The Kite Runner) as Ulle Dag Charles, Eleanor Matsuura (The Walking Dead, I Used To Be Famous) as Zina Jansone, Jonjo O’Neill (Andor, Bad Sisters) as Edward Carver, and Sule Rimi (Classified, Andor) as Paul Pullman.

Redmayne will also serve as executive producer on the project. Ronan Bennett (Top Boy, Public Enemies) will serve as writer and showrunner while Brian Kirk (Game of Thrones, Luther) is attached to direct.

Gareth Neame, Executive Producer, Carnival Films said: “It is an exciting prospect to work with Ronan Bennett and Brian Kirk on this contemporary cat-and-mouse thriller inspired by Frederick Forsyth’s respected novel and the much admired and remembered Fred Zinnemann movie.

“We’ll retain the pan-European setting and play to the strengths of episodic television in this fast paced, intelligent international thriller with the story of an assassin and the race to stop him still at the heart of the action.”

Lisa Katz, President Scripted Content, NBCUniversal Television and Streaming added: “We’re excited to adapt this internationally recognized classic into an updated, timely, political thriller. Shepherded by novelist and showrunner Ronan Bennett and Carnival, this action-packed high-stakes drama is sure to be an edge-of-your seat adventure for Peacock audiences.”

Meghan Lyvers, Director of Original Drama, Sky Studios UK&I commented: “The Day of the Jackal is a timeless international espionage thriller that is beloved the world over. Ronan’s propulsive storytelling will keep viewers on the edge of their seats, and we cannot wait to bring this premium, cinematic, globe-trotting series to Sky audiences across Europe.”

The series will be available on Peacock in the US and on Sky in the UK in 2024.