In a significant victory for streaming television, Peacock and Sky have officially greenlit a second season of their hit thriller series “The Day of the Jackal,” just weeks after its premiere. The renewal comes as no surprise, given the show’s impressive performance on both sides of the Atlantic.
Academy Award winner Eddie Redmayne and James Bond alum Lashana Lynch lead this gripping contemporary adaptation of Frederick Forsyth’s 1971 novel. The series transforms the classic story into a modern cat-and-mouse chase, with Redmayne portraying the mysterious assassin known as the Jackal and Lynch taking on the role of a determined MI6 agent in hot pursuit.
The numbers tell a compelling story of success. Sky Atlantic reported a stunning 3 million viewers in the show’s first week, marking their most successful series launch in two years. Meanwhile, in the United States, the series quickly climbed into Peacock’s top five original streaming series during its opening weekend, according to early Nielsen ratings data.
The ten-episode first season began on November 7 in the UK and November 14 in the US and features an impressive ensemble cast including Úrsula Corberó, Charles Dance, and Richard Dormer. Behind the scenes, the series benefits from the expertise of “Top Boy” creator Ronan Bennett, who adapted the novel for television.
The show’s production team reads like a who’s who of television excellence. Under Universal International Studios, Carnival Films leads the production effort, with executive producers Gareth Neame and Nigel Marchant at the helm. The directing team includes talented filmmakers Brian Kirk, Anthony Philipson, Paul Wilmshurst, and Anu Menon, each bringing their unique vision to the series.
While the renewal news has generated excitement among fans, questions remain about the show’s future direction. Neither Peacock nor Sky has confirmed whether Redmayne and Lynch will return for the second season, leaving viewers to speculate about potential new storylines or cast changes.
This success story adds to Peacock’s growing reputation for high-quality drama programming. The streaming service has been making bold moves in 2024, launching several ambitious projects, including the Roland Emmerich-directed “Those About to Die” starring Anthony Hopkins and “Apples Never Fall” featuring Annette Bening.
The series represents a fresh take on Forsyth’s source material, which previously inspired the 1973 film adaptation. By updating the story for today’s political landscape, the show has captured both critical attention and viewer interest, proving that classic narratives can successfully be reimagined for contemporary audiences.
With the first season’s finale on December 12, fans can look forward to more intense action and complex plot twists in the second season. The renewal demonstrates streaming platforms’ growing ability to compete with traditional television networks in producing compelling, high-budget dramas that capture global audiences.
This early renewal also signals strong confidence from both Peacock and Sky in the show’s future potential. It suggests that “The Day of the Jackal” may become a cornerstone of their original programming lineup for years.