Peacock isn’t letting go of Day of the Jackal just yet. The streaming platform has announced that the cat-and-mouse thriller will return for a second season, much to the love of fans who’ve been watching to the show since its debut.
This series is inspired by Frederick Forsyth’s bestselling novel and the 1973 film, Day of the Jackal stars Eddie Redmayne as the elusive assassin “The Jackal,” and Lashana Lynch is portraying an MI6 agent determined to bring him down.
While the series takes creative similarities with the original story, it’s still packed with enough tension and drama to keep audiences in suspense and wonder.
Why It’s a Big Deal
The show’s early success is a major win for Peacock. In the U.S., Day of the Jackal ranked among the top five original streaming series during its opening weekend, based on Nielsen data analysis.
Over in the United Kingdom, it became Sky Atlantic’s most successful series debut in 2 years. Numbers like these are likely what helped secure a second season just a week after its U.S. premiere. Learn more about the legacy of The Day of the Jackal here.
Mixed Reviews Haven’t Slowed It Down
Not everyone was sold on Day of the Jackal. Critics had their reservations, with A.V. Club’s Brian Tallerico calling it a “stretched-out” story that sometimes fails with character development. However, viewers seem to have a different opinion, as the show’s performance has been really so strong.
Peacock is betting big on prestige dramas, and this year has been especially ambitious. Alongside Day of the Jackal, the platform rolled out high-profile projects like Roland Emmerich’s Those About to Die, starring Anthony Hopkins, and Apples Never Fall, an adaptation of Liane Moriarty’s novel featuring Annette Bening.
What’s Next for Day of the Jackal?
Although the renewal is confirmed, there’s no word yet on whether Eddie Redmayne and Lashana Lynch will return for the second season. The first season’s finale, still weeks away, might offer some clues about where the story could go toward.
For now, one thing is literally clear: Peacock’s gamble on gripping, high-stakes storytelling is paying off, and Day of the Jackal is solidifying its place as one of the platform’s flagship series.
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