The Day of the Jackal (Season 1/2024) series is an intriguing and fast-paced tale. It is about an extraordinary sniper and an assassin; as he possesses unparalleled skills as a hired gun.
It is worth mentioning that the original novel “The Day of the Jackal,” which came out in 1971, is based on the year 1963. It involved an assassination attempt on the then-President of France Charles de Gaulle. We have seen the original “The Day of the Jackal” (1973) Movie. The events took place during the tenure of President Charles de Gaulle in France, which lasted from 1959 to 1969. Interestingly, there was another remake of the original “The Day of the Jackal” (1973) Movie. However, this Hollywood movie used the shortened title of “The Jackal” (1997) Movie.
The Day of the Jackal (2024) Series Is A Tale Of An Amazing Assassin, Who Is A Remarkable Chameleon As Well As A World-Class Hired Killer
Spoiler Free Review of The Day of the Jackal (Season1/2024) Series
The trailer
A novel plotline and a fresh set of characters
We are happy to inform our readers that “The Day of the Jackal” (2024) Series only shares the same title as the original novel as well as the movie mentioned above. The plot and the storyline of the latest 2024 series bear little relationship to the original. And, we are very much relieved and thankful to its makers for the same. So, we enjoyed watching the freshly baked story about the top-class contract killer in this series set in contemporary times.
The synopsis
The Jackal, portrayed by Eddie Redmayne, is a merciless assassin who earns his livelihood by executing contracts for the highest bidder. However, after his most recent assignment, he encounters a formidable adversary in a determined British intelligence officer, played by Lashana Lynch, who embarks on a gripping pursuit of the Jackal throughout Europe, resulting in widespread chaos.
The storyline with a few more details
The Jackal (Eddie Redmayne) is an elite sniper, distinguished by his ability to blend into any environment and his extensive training as a killer. He operates as an assassin, methodically executing contracts for monetary gain. After targeting a high-profile politician, he is offered another high-risk assassination job that could provide him with the means to retire from his unsafe and deadly hired-gun profession. However, his notoriety has attracted the attention of Bianca (Lashana Lynch), a skilled British intelligence officer whose expertise in firearms renders her an ideal candidate to pursue him.
The narrative unfolds as an exhilarating pursuit throughout Europe, where Jackal tries his best to complete his latest mission while being relentlessly chased by Bianca. As the chase intensifies and additional victims become entangled in their conflict, it becomes evident that external influences may be orchestrating events behind the scenes. The intersection of Bianca and Jackal’s personal lives with their professional obligations leads them to take significant risks, ultimately testing their limits and resulting in catastrophic outcomes. Their hair-raising cat-and-mouse chase comes to a tragic end in the first season finale.
USP is its pulsating and fast-paced thrilling tale
The unique selling proposition is a well-written pulsating and fast-paced thrilling tale. More importantly, it is rooted in the ground realities of our modern-day world. For instance, the grim and appalling tragedy in Afghanistan changed the course of Jackal’s life. Then, there is the case of UDC, the Jackal’s target, who wishes to usher in an era of accountability and transparency in the world of super-rich billionaires.
Ulle Dag Charles closely resembles an anagram of Charles De Gaulle, the character referenced in the original novel, and is commonly abbreviated as UDC, similar to how De Gaulle is frequently referred to as CDG.
Moreover, the intelligence team led by highly motivated Bianca chasing a smart and intelligent assassin Jackal has been an engrossing drama. It was entertaining to watch it.
Eddie Redmayne is at the top of the (acting) game
Eddie Redmayne has been more than impressive in portraying the complex lead character of the antihero – The Jackal. It is quite apparent that he worked insanely hard to breathe life into the character. The other members of the cast also tried to follow in his footsteps and match Eddie’s energy. But they always remained a (or a few) step (s) behind. Also, most of us could predict the upcoming actions of the Jackal, still, it was edge-of-seat stuff to watch him execute his killings and assassinations. For a change, many viewers were rooting for him, despite his flawed personality.
But they all fell short including Lashana Lynch (Bianca Pullman) and always stayed a step behind the Jackal. Still, it was nice to see actress Úrsula Corberó (Nuria) after a gap, sadly her character did not have much to do in Season One. That “The Day of the Jackal” has already been renewed for Season Two. Hopefully, her character will show glimpses of her Money Heist (2017-2021) series. Then there is Eleanor Matsuura (Zina Jansone) of The Walking Dead (2010-2022) Series fame. We expect a lot from their characters in the future.
The rating
| FM Rating | 4.10/5 |
The conclusion
To conclude, we can certainly state that The Day of the Jackal (2024) Series is one of the best action crime drama shows that we have seen this year. Kudos to its entire team.
Key Details of the Thriller from the UK
| Genre | Action, Crime, Drama, Thriller |
| Original Language | English (UK) A bit of Spanish and other European Languages |
| Season | First Season – Season (1) One |
| Episodes | Ten (10) Episodes |
| Creator | Ronan Bennett |
| Writers | Ronan Bennett, Frederick Forsyth, Charles Cumming, Shyam Popat, & Jessica Sinyard |
| Directors | Brian Kirk, Paul Wilmshurst, Anthony Philipson, & Anu Menon |
| Cast | Eddie Redmayne (The Jackal), Úrsula Corberó (Nuria), Lashana Lynch (Bianca Pullman), Nick Blood (Vince Pyne), Chukwudi Iwuji (Osita Halcrow), Ben Hall (Damian Richardson), Lia Williams (Isabel Kirby), Jon Arias (Alvaro), , Khalid Abdalla (Ulle Dag Charles/UDC), Sule Rimi (Paul Pullman), Florisa Kamara (Jasmine Pullman), Eleanor Matsuura (Zina Jansone), Charles Dance (Timothy Winthorp), Corey Johnson (Doug Wojack), Christy Meyer (Leonora Boggs), Patrick Kennedy (Teddy), etc. |
| Tagline | The Hunter. Hunted |
| Network | Peacock Original | Jio Cinema |
The Poster of the Thriller from the UK
Spoilers Alert – Episodes Summary & Ending Explained
Episode Summary of the 10 Episodes of the Season 1
First Episode (S1, E1)
When an elite assassin, the Jackal, carries out his latest kill, it catches the attention of a British intelligence officer, who starts hunting him down.
Second Episode (S1, E2)
When his previous client backs out of payment, Jackal’s reputation is on the line and he plots revenge.
Third Episode (S1, E3)
Armed with the knowledge of his wayward client’s identity, the Jackal tracks him down in Munich, determined to settle the score.
Fourth Episode (S1, E4)
With his vengeance fulfilled, the Jackal flees Munich and tries to quell Nuria’s suspicions. Bianca follows a new lead in her hunt.
Fifth Episode (S1, E5)
The Jackal visits Norman with a special commission for his next job, but with Bianca also tracking Norman down, she closes in on him.
Sixth Episode (S1, E6)
Following his shoot-out with Bianca, the Jackal must escape his captors and regroup ahead of his hit on Ulle Dag Charles; Bianca tracks his trail of devastation through central Europe.
Seventh Episode (S1, E7)
The Jackal and Bianca both descend on Tallinn in anticipation of UDC’s announcement. With the venue in lockdown and Bianca closing in, the Jackal must use all his wiles as he prepares to take his shot.
Eight Episode (S1, E8)
Following the chaos in Tallinn, the Jackal goes into hiding. Bianca digs into the past of the mysterious “Duggan,” investigating his time in Afghanistan in the hope of a new lead.
Ninth Episode (S1, E9)
With the release of River imminent, UDC believes himself safe on his Croatian island. With time running out, the Jackal must use all his skills to reach his target.
Tenth Episode (S1, E10)
A wanted man, the Jackal is on the run and desperate to get back to Nuria. But Bianca is given one last shot to bring him to justice.
Ending Explained – finally who all die and who all stay alive in Season 1
UDC & Jackal
Ulle Dag Charles (Khalid Abdalla) is a seemingly altruistic billionaire, devoted to rectifying economic disparities in the world through his software. His imminent release, referred to as River, is designed to offer comprehensive economic transparency, detailing the flow of money from its origins to its final destinations.
However, a select group of affluent individuals harbours considerable opposition to UDC’s plans and is prepared to undertake any necessary actions to thwart River’s release. UDC is fortified with the best security resources available and has a private island for its concealment. However, these defences are not enough to shield him from a bullet fired by the Jackal during his morning swim, ultimately leading to his death.
Nuria & Jackal
In this series, we watch that the Jackal has been busy navigating various locations across Europe, taking on different roles and staying two steps ahead of MI6. Meanwhile, his wife, Nuria, and their infant son, Carlitos, have been left waiting at home in Spain. Therefore, the doubts about Jackal’s narrative of working in the corporate espionage field begin to mount for Nuria, leading her to confront him and demand the truth.
Initially, Nuria experiences a sense of unease. However, she ultimately recognizes the importance of Jackal’s deadly abilities when her brother Alvaro encounters a difficult situation. The series also depicts Nuria as she retrieves Alvaro from prison, firmly stating that she never wants to see him again. Later that night, Alvaro arrives at the residence of Nuria and the Jackal, where he is caught and killed amidst the crossfire of an MI6 operation targeting the Jackal.
Nuria reaches an agreement with the Jackal to escape together with Carlitos once they have completed their last assignment. But then, she changes her mind. Soon after, she quietly escapes away with Carlitos, carrying as much money as possible before the Jackal’s return. In the end, Nuria and Carlitos vanished into the thin air.
Bianca & Jackal
Bianca discerns the similarities between the murders of Tejero and UDC, concluding that Tejero is a minor player likely acting out of personal resentment. She learns of Alvaro’s involvement in the murder and his affluent British brother-in-law. Alongside her partner, Vince, Bianca travels to the Jackal’s home and waits for him to arrive.
When he does, they try to execute their plan of capturing the Jackal alive. However, their plans fall apart. A no-holds-barred gunfight begins at The Jackal’s home. Soon after Vince is injured by gunfire while attempting to protect Bianca, his life is sadly extinguished. Then, after a brief exchange of words, even Bianca’s tale reaches a tragic conclusion as the Jackal fatally wounds her, leaving her lifeless on the floor.
Zina Jansone & Jackal
In the murder conspiracy of UDC, Zina (Eleanor Matsuura) serves as the point of contact for the Jackal. She facilitates interactions between him and the powerful clients who provide financial support. Moreover, she holds several meetings with the Jackal, orchestrating operations and discussing remuneration for the kill.
Her role is to guarantee the Jackal’s success, yet as circumstances grow more dire, she realizes she has become entangled with the same formidable figures. Nevertheless, her astuteness enables her to foresee the impending threat, and she manages to evade her would-be assassin just in time.
First Season Finale Scene
After successfully overcoming a dangerous clash with Bianca, the Jackal embarks on a chase after Nuria, only to be abruptly hit by a car during his pursuit. Following a time-lapse, he reappears in London, having mostly healed and ready to reengage in his work. Therefore, it appears that after the turmoil has cleared, she and the Jackal come together once again, only to discover that they have some common foes.
So, we might see both Jackal and Zina team up in Season 2.
Awards Nominations won by the Thriller from the UK
| Awards Names | Details of Awards Nominations |
|---|---|
| Critics Choice Awards | Eddie Redmayne – 2025 Nominee Critics Choice Award – Best Actor in a Drama Series Best Drama Series – 2025 Nominee Critics Choice Award |
| Golden Globes, USA | Eddie Redmayne – 2025 Nominee Golden Globe – Best Performance by a Male Actor in a Television Series, Drama Best Television Series, Drama – 2025 Nominee Golden Globe |
Bonus Information
Frederick Forsyth, the author of "The Day of The Jackal", disclosed that he sold the movie/film rights to his acclaimed 1971 novel many years ago for a mere £20,000 (approximately $25,000). Consequently, he will receive very little from the recent television series adaptation, which has a budget of $126,000,000. He further mentioned that the new adaptation has compensated him with a modest fee for the title, stating, "It wasn't out of obligation; it was a gesture."
Read our series review of "The Veil (2024) Mini-Series", a series with similar genre.
Featured Image of The Jackal (Eddie Redmayne)
Poster, Featured and Other Images of The Day of the Jackal (Season 1/2024) Series are credited to Peacock Original.