When it’s over, he’s back in Britain unemployed and unsure of what to do next
Chronology
The Jackal is an elusive assassin who makes his living from hit movies for the highest fee. He soon meets a tenacious British intelligence officer who tracks him down in a thrilling cat-and-mouse chase across Europe as a freelance journalist covering the Biafran war.
Then I had this crazy idea to write a novel
I have no chance of getting a job, no flat, no car and no savings. ‘Everyone said you must be joking or angry because the chances of it even being published are hundreds to one, even thousands.’ Within weeks of its release, the film rights were snapped up.
Some of Hollywood’s biggest stars were competing for the role of The Jackal in 1973
in the film, but the role went to a then-unknown Edward Fox because director Fred Zinnemann thought he could blend in with the crowd. (Airmail).
The Graham Norton Show credits: Denzel Washington / Paul Mescal / Saoirse Ronan / Eddie Redmayne / Blossoms (2024)
While Day of the Jackal boasts a stellar cast, with Eddie Redmayne playing the terrifying Jackal, the series stumbles with Lashana Lynch in the lead role. Her portrayal lacks the gravitas and charisma needed to anchor such a high-profile narrative, often feeling out of sync with the suspenseful plot.
A missed opportunity to create a masterpiece of a modern thriller
However, Eleanor Matsuura and Ursula Corberó shine in their supporting roles, giving their characters depth and intrigue. The cinematography and pacing are commendable, but Lynch’s lackluster performance keeps the series from truly captivating.