BAFTA award-winning actor Eddie Redmayne is set to star in and executive produce the Peacock original series ‘The Day of the Jackal.’

The series is based on the seminal Frederick Forsyth thriller and subsequent award-winning 1973 film adaptation of the same name from Universal Pictures.

The series is a bold, modern reimagining of the beloved and respected novel and film. While staying true to the DNA of the original story, this contemporary drama will delve deeper into the chameleon ‘anti-hero’ at the heart of the story in a high-octane, cinematic, globetrotting ‘cat and mouse’ thriller, set amidst the turbulent geo-political landscape of our time.

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Irish screenwriter and novelist Ronan Bennett, creator and writer of the critically acclaimed global hit Top Boy, is attached as writer and showrunner. Director Brian Kirk, whose television credits include ’Game of Thrones,’ ’Luther,’ ‘Boardwalk Empire’ and the feature film ’21 Bridges’ is set to direct the series.

Production on the series will commence this year. Gareth Neame and Nigel Marchant are Executive Producers for Carnival Films. Frederick Forsyth will serve as Consulting Producer and Christopher Hall is Producer. Sam Hoyle is Executive Producer for Sky Studios.