Eddie Redmayne and Lashana Lynch Talk Bringing The Day of the Jackal to Life on Peacock

Love them or hate them, movie-to-TV adaptations are going to continue.

The Day of the Jackal is a critically acclaimed 1973 film getting the series treatment at Peacock. It offers a fresh take on the hitman saga that is sure to keep you on your toes.

This is one adaptation you will love.

Starring Oscar winner Eddie Redmayne as Jackal and Lashana Lynch as the agent moving heaven and earth to stop him, The Day of the Jackal is the ultimate game of cat and mouse, but you never quite know which is which.

I don’t want to give too much away. If you have seen the movie (which is available on Prime Video), you have an idea of what to expect.

But this is expected to be an ongoing series adaptation, so how things play out will vary widely from the film out of sheer necessity and to ensure that they’re not just replaying the same notes from the film.

Movies about hitmen and assassins are made quite frequently now.

Off the top of my head, I can pinpoint the entirety of the John Wick franchise as well as a recent Netflix movie, The Killer, that play on the same themes as The Day of the Jackal.

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Redmayne is an Oscar-winning performer who can bring subtlety and audaciousness to a seasoned killer, and his performance makes The Day of the Jackal required viewing.

Lynch is an exciting new addition to the story, and her inclusion here gives hints of Sandra Oh’s Eve Polastri from Killing Eve.

Just like Eve, Bianca wrestles with the thrill of the hunt and her fascination with someone so skilled at their job to continually outwit the authorities.

Here’s the official logline for the series:

An unrivaled and highly elusive lone assassin, the Jackal makes his living carrying out hits for the highest fee.

But following his latest kill, he meets his match in a tenacious British intelligence officer who starts to track down the Jackal in a thrilling cat-and-mouse chase across Europe, leaving destruction in its wake.

During a recent press day promoting the series, we had a chance to talk with Redmayne and Lynch about the show.

Taking on the role of the Jackal is close to Redmayne’s heart. The film was beloved by his family, whose VHS tape of the movie was weathered from repeated viewing.

Redmayne calls the Peacock series “completely fresh” with a propulsive ferocity that retains the elegance and DNA of the original while leaving him free to explore the character further and make him his own.

Bianca is a new character in the universe, and Lynch is thrilled that her addition will endear the material to a younger generation while showcasing the challenges women in such roles encounter.

Watch the full interview below.

The Day of The Jackal arrives on Peacock in the US on November 14 with five (yes, five!) episodes. Those outside of the US can catch the premiere on Sky on November 7.

Were you a fan of the original film The Day of the Jackal?

What new avenues do you think are open for exploration with a series adaptation?

Let us know if you’re putting this one on your must-watch list!

The post Eddie Redmayne and Lashana Lynch Talk Bringing The Day of the Jackal to Life on Peacock appeared first on TV Fanatic.

Source: TV Fanatic