Eddie Redmayne's The Day of the Jackal begins European shoot

Carnival Films' The Day of the Jackal has started its seven-month shoot, with filming due to take in at least four European countries.  

The series, starring Eddie Redmayne, is based on the seminal novel by Frederick Forsyth and Universal Pictures’ 1973 film adaptation, but will more deeply explore the changeable character of the ‘anti-hero’ protagonist. 

As per our sister site, The Knowledge, production on the Sky/Peacock drama will take place in London, Budapest, Croatia and Austria.

Ronan Bennett serves as showrunner on the series. Redmayne executive produces alongside Gareth Neame and Nigel Marchant for Carnival and Sam Hoyle for Sky. Christopher Hall produces. Forsyth will serve as consulting producer and Brian Kirk (21 Bridges) directs.  

When Redymayne was attached to the project earlier in spring, Neame said: “We are excited to bring to life Ronan Bennett’s re-imagining of Forsyth’s revered thriller in the complex world in which we live today and are incredibly fortunate to have an actor of Eddie’s calibre as our Jackal. Paired with Ronan’s screenplay and Brian Kirk’s direction, this is a first-class creative team.”

At the time of the commissioning news, Neame said: “We’ll retain the pan-European setting and play to the strengths of episodic television in this fast paced, intelligent international thriller with the story of an assassin and the race to stop him still at the heart of the action.”