A British political thriller fans called ‘the best TV show of the year’ will be returning for a second season (Picture: Marcell Piti/ Peacock via AP)
A British political thriller starring Eddie Redmayne and Lashana Lynch that fans have called ‘the best series of the year’ will be returning.
Based on 1971 book by Frederick Forsyth, The Day of the Jackal was released earlier this month.
The 10-episode series stars Eddie Redmayne as ‘the Jackal’, an ‘unrivalled and highly elusive lone assassin who makes his living carrying out hits for the highest fee’.
However, after a kill, is faced with tenacious British intelligence officer Bianca (Lashana), who kick starts a ‘thrilling cat-and-mouse chase across Europe, leaving destruction in its wake’.
The series has picked up plenty of fans, with one saying it had ‘left a lasting impression’ on them.
It’s also become the biggest Sky Original ever and the biggest launch on Sky in over two years, drawing a record audience of three million in the week after it was released.
The Day of the Jackal stars Eddie Redmayne as an assassin (Picture: Marcell Piti/ AP)
It’s now been announced the show has been greenlit for a second season, with the broadcaster simply sharing ‘The Day of the Jackal will return for series 2’ on X.
After the announcement fans said they couldn’t wait to see it return.
‘One of the best TV shows of this year. Eddie Redmayne with one of the best performances of the year,’ user Harsh posted on X.
‘This series is such a gem. Deserves another season from I’ve been watching so far,’ Siyabonga shared.
It is based on a 1971 book (Picture: Marcell Piti/ Peacock via AP)
‘Honestly, the most ridiculous show I’ve ever seen and yes, absolutely I want more,’ Sarrah added.
Others called the show ‘elite’ and ‘top tier’, adding they were ‘delighted’ more episodes were on their way.
The news comes before the current season even comes to an end, with the two-part finale set to air on December 12.
In 1973 The Day of the Jackal was turned into a film starring Edward Fox and went on to be widely regarded as one of the greatest political thrillers in cinema.
Eddie revealed he had doubts about taking on the role (Picture: Marcell Piti)
Speaking to Radio Times about taking on the role, Eddie admitted he was ‘tentative’ about working on the series.
‘I grew up watching Jackal. I had a battered old VHS of it. It’s a bit weird, but it was one of those movies that my family would sit and watch together,’ he said.
‘When I saw this in my inbox, I was pretty…you don’t want to mess with something as brilliant as this, so I was a bit tentative.
‘The thing I love about the original structure, which Ronan [Bennett, the writer of this new series] has managed to retain, is the odd idea that you have these two protagonists who are deeply morally compromised, making vicious choices, and yet you kind of warm to both of them.’
The Day of the Jackal is streaming on Sky Atlantic and NOW.
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