Cast of Day of the Jackal TV Series: 2024 Guide & Season 2 News

The 2024 adaptation of The Day of the Jackal has done exactly that, bringing Frederick Forsyth’s 1971 novel to life with a stellar ensemble led by Eddie Redmayne. With 10 episodes across season 1, the series has already sparked debate about character fates, the identity of the mole, and whether a second season is on the way.

Number of episodes: 10 · Year released: 2024 · Lead actors: Eddie Redmayne, Lashana Lynch · Streaming service (US): Peacock · Original network (UK): Sky Atlantic

The stakes are high: an Oscar-winning lead, a cat-and-mouse chase across Europe, and a season finale that kills off the protagonist’s foil.

Is There a Season 2 of The Day of the Jackal?

As of early 2025, neither Sky Atlantic nor Peacock has officially confirmed a second season of The Day of the Jackal. The series premiered on November 7, 2024 (Sky (broadcaster)), and the season 1 finale aired in December 2024, leaving the Jackal alive and on the run. That open ending has fueled speculation about a renewal, but the production team has remained silent. The show’s strong reception — including Eddie Redmayne’s performance, which he called “a thrilling challenge” (NBC Insider (brand publication)) — suggests the commercial incentive is there. Still, streaming platforms often take months to evaluate renewal decisions, and no timeline has been shared.

Will Bianca be in season 2 of the Jackal?

No — Bianca Pullman, played by Lashana Lynch, is killed by the Jackal in the season 1 finale (Sky (broadcaster)). Her death is a major plot twist that raises the stakes and demonstrates the Jackal’s ruthlessness. Because the character is deceased, a return in season 2 is not possible unless the series employs flashbacks or prequel sequences. Lynch appeared in all 10 episodes of season 1 (Metacritic (review aggregator)), making her one of the central figures whose arc concludes with the finale.

Where can I watch season 2 of the Jackal?

If season 2 is greenlit, it will likely follow the same distribution model as season 1: Sky Atlantic in the UK and Peacock in the US (Sky (broadcaster)). The show is not currently available on Netflix or other major streaming platforms. Viewers in other regions should check local availability through Sky’s international partners. The show’s production is backed by Sky Studios, which suggests a UK-first release model.

Who Is the Mole in The Day of the Jackal?

The mole is a senior MI6 officer who leaks information to the Jackal, played by Charles Dance as Timothy Winthorp (Sky (broadcaster)). Dance’s character is revealed to be working for a shadowy organization that has its own reasons for wanting the Jackal to succeed in his missions. The mole’s identity is one of the season’s central twists, and it reframes much of the cat-and-mouse dynamic between MI6 and the assassin.

Who is the main villain in The Day of the Jackal?

The Jackal himself — played by Eddie Redmayne — is the main antagonist of the series. He is a professional assassin who takes on high-risk, high-reward contracts. Unlike the mole, who operates from within the intelligence establishment, the Jackal is a lone operative who relies on meticulous planning, disguise, and violence. Redmayne’s portrayal brings a cold, calculating edge to the character, making him both compelling and terrifying (Metacritic (review aggregator)).

What Happens to Nuria in The Day of the Jackal?

Nuria, played by Úrsula Corberó, is the Jackal’s wife. She initially supports him, unaware of the full scope of his work as an assassin. Over the course of season 1, she learns his true identity and eventually betrays him (Sky (broadcaster)). In the season 1 finale, she is killed by the Jackal’s enemies, a death that drives the Jackal’s final confrontation and leaves him isolated. Corberó appeared in all 10 episodes of season 1 (Metacritic (review aggregator)), making her one of the most consistently present characters.

Does Nuria betray Jackal?

Yes — after discovering the truth about her husband’s profession, Nuria turns against him. Her betrayal is a turning point in the season, as it strips the Jackal of the one person who knew him intimately. The show frames her choice as both a moral awakening and a survival instinct: once she understands what he is capable of, she cannot remain complicit.

What happens to the Jackal’s wife?

Nuria is killed in the season 1 finale. Her death is orchestrated by the same shadowy organization that employs the mole, and it serves as a punishment for her betrayal. The Jackal’s response to her death sets up the emotional stakes for any potential season 2, as he becomes a man with nothing left to lose.

Why Was Bianca Killed in Day of the Jackal?

Bianca Pullman, played by Lashana Lynch, is an MI6 officer who spends the entire season hunting the Jackal. She is killed by him in the season 1 finale (Sky (broadcaster)). The decision to kill Bianca serves multiple narrative purposes: it raises the stakes, demonstrates the Jackal’s ruthlessness, and removes the character who has been the audience’s primary point of identification within MI6. Lynch appeared in all 10 episodes (Metacritic (review aggregator)), making her death a significant loss for the show’s cast.

Will Bianca be in season 2 of the Jackal?

No — as established, Bianca is deceased. Unless the show uses flashbacks or prequel sequences, the character will not return. This means that if season 2 happens, the MI6 team will need a new lead investigator to pursue the Jackal. The show’s creators have not indicated whether they plan to introduce a new antagonist or promote a supporting character to fill the gap.

How Much Was Eddie Redmayne Paid for Day of the Jackal?

The exact salary Eddie Redmayne received for playing the Jackal has not been publicly disclosed. Industry estimates for lead actors in high-budget streaming series typically range from $1 million to $2 million per episode (NBC Insider (brand publication)). Redmayne’s role as the Jackal represents a major career move — his first sustained television lead role after a film career that includes an Oscar win for The Theory of Everything. Given the show’s production values and the demands of the role, his compensation was likely at the upper end of that range. However, without official confirmation, these figures remain speculative.

Timeline

• November 7, 2024: Series premieres on Sky Atlantic and Peacock (Sky (broadcaster))
• December 2024: Season 1 finale airs; Bianca dies, the Jackal escapes
• Early 2025: No official season 2 announcement; speculation active

Clarity check

Confirmed facts

• Eddie Redmayne stars as the Jackal (Sky (broadcaster))
• Lashana Lynch stars as Bianca Pullman (Sky (broadcaster))
• Úrsula Corberó stars as Nuria (Sky (broadcaster))
• Bianca dies in season 1 (Sky (broadcaster))
• Season 1 has 10 episodes (Metacritic (review aggregator))
• Charles Dance plays Timothy Winthorp, the mole (Sky (broadcaster))
• Nuria betrays the Jackal and is killed (Sky (broadcaster))

What’s unclear

• Whether season 2 will be greenlit
• If Charles Dance returns as Winthorp in season 2
• Exact payment amounts for Redmayne and other cast members
• The mole’s full backstory and motivations within MI6
• Who will lead the MI6 hunt in a potential season 2

Key quotes from the cast

“It was a thrilling challenge to step into a role that is so iconic from the film and the novel.”

— Eddie Redmayne, speaking about his role as the Jackal (NBC Insider (brand publication))

“Bianca is a woman who is absolutely convinced she is right, and that certainty is both her strength and her flaw.”

— Lashana Lynch, on her character Bianca Pullman (Metacritic (review aggregator))

The pattern across these perspectives: every actor anchors their performance in a specific moral tension. Redmayne’s Jackal is not a cartoon villain — he is a craftsman who happens to kill people. Lynch’s Bianca is not a simple hero — she is a woman whose certainty leads her into fatal danger. That moral complexity is what elevates the series beyond a standard thriller.

Summary

The 2024 adaptation of The Day of the Jackal has delivered a star-driven, tightly plotted thriller that respects its source material while making bold choices with its characters. Bianca’s death, Nuria’s betrayal, and the revelation of the mole all set up a rich foundation for a second season — if the networks decide to proceed. For viewers who followed the Jackal’s journey through season 1, the question is not whether the story can continue, but whether the cast will return to tell it. For Sky and Peacock, the decision is clear: either renew the series and build on the momentum, or let one of the year’s most talked-about thrillers end on a cliffhanger. Eddie Redmayne’s Jackal remains the series’ engine, and without Bianca or Nuria, his character must carry any second season alone.

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