Eddie Redmayne’s “The Day of the Jackal” Emerges as the Perfect Successor to Netflix’s Bodyguard

An acclaimed Netflix spy thriller series has yet to be renewed for season 2, but Eddie Redmayne’s new hit show, The Day of the Jackal, appears to be the ideal replacement. With a career spanning over 25 years, Redmayne has starred in diverse genres, earning prestigious awards including an Academy Award, a British Academy Film Award, and a Golden Globe Award. His latest performance in this spy thriller only further solidifies his status as one of the finest actors today.

Boasting an impressive Rotten Tomatoes critics’ score of 85%, The Day of the Jackal is based on the celebrated 52-year-old film and novel but reimagines the political context with a modern perspective. The series not only secured Redmayne a Golden Globe win but also filled the void left by Netflix’s Bodyguard, which remains unrenewed after its successful first season.

The Day of the Jackal: A Brilliant British Spy Thriller

Based on Frederick Forsyth’s novel and its 1973 film adaptation, the show centers on an elite sniper (played by Redmayne) engaged in a tense cat-and-mouse game with a shrewd British intelligence officer. While staying true to the original narrative structure, the series brilliantly updates the story to reflect contemporary global issues.

Both Redmayne and co-star Lashana Lynch deliver memorable performances, enhancing the show’s action and drama. The series shares thematic parallels with Netflix’s Bodyguard, featuring emotionally complex yet highly skilled protagonists. However, The Day of the Jackal expands the scope to an international scale, addressing modern concerns like terrorism, surveillance, and government mistrust.

The Uncertain Future of Bodyguard Season 2

Despite its critical acclaim and an Emmy nomination, Bodyguard has not returned for a second season. While early reports hinted at a possible renewal, official announcements remain absent. Showrunner Jed Mercurio has expressed interest in continuing the series, but production progress has stalled.

Fans eager for new spy thrillers should look to The Day of the Jackal, whose second season is reportedly already in development. Eddie Redmayne himself has shared enthusiasm for pushing the series to new heights.

The Day of the Jackal: A Rising Spy Thriller Staple

With Richard Madden busy on other projects and no clear path forward for Bodyguard, The Day of the Jackal has a promising future. Its renewal signals strong potential as a flagship series in the spy thriller genre.