New set images from The Day of the Jackal season 2 have surfaced online, offering the first look at Eddie Redmayne back in action as the deadly assassin.
The Peacock/Sky thriller, based on Frederick Forsyth’s classic novel, reimagines the story for a modern audience, following a highly elusive assassin known only as the Jackal as he carries out high-profile hits across Europe while evading intelligence agencies. Starring Eddie Redmayne and Lashana Lynch, the series became a breakout success thanks to its sleek direction, grounded tone, and the cast’s performance.
Splash News shared pictures from the Budapest set on their X account, showing production in progress and Redmayne in costume filming new scenes for the upcoming season. While specific plot details remain tightly under wraps, the photos reinforce that production is already well underway and that Redmayne’s enigmatic assassin will once again be at the center of the story.
Click here to see the new set pictures from The Day of the Jackal season 2.
The return comes after the tense season 1 finale left the Jackal’s future uncertain. The character narrowly escaped as Ulle Dag Charles’ security team began to close in on him. As season 1 wrapped up the story from Forsyth’s novel, season 2 will have to come up with a new story for the deadly assassin, likely continuing MI6’s hunt for the Jackal.
Eddie Redmayne as The Jackal in The Day of the Jackal
This shift presents both opportunities and challenges, as the series works to expand its world without losing what made it compelling in the first place. The set pictures also bring a sense of relief for the audience, as the series experienced a couple of setbacks last year.
Back in September 2025, series creator Ronan Bennett announced he was stepping back from his writing duties due to other commitments. David Harrower, best known for his work on the acclaimed Lockerbie: A Search for the Truth, took over as head writer, while Bennett remained as executive producer on The Day of the Jackal season 2.
Filming across multiple European locations, including Hungary, suggests that season 2 will take a wider approach, potentially involving new international targets, operatives, and agencies. This expansion aligns with the show’s global scope, as the Jackal operates in a world where borders are blurry, and danger can come from anywhere.
While plot details are under wraps, the series has also added new members to its ensemble. Weruche Opia, known for I May Destroy You and MLK/X, and Halo lead star Pablo Schreiber are both set to appear alongside Redmayne in series regular roles. Their character details are also under wraps.​
Ultimately, the set images serve as an early but exciting look at what’s to come. While they don’t reveal major plot details, they confirm that The Day of the Jackal is moving forward with confidence, building on the foundation of its successful first season while aiming to expand its scope and story.
The Day of the Jackal is available to stream on Peacock.
Network
Sky Atlantic
Directors
Brian Kirk
Writers
Ronan Bennett
Charles Dance
Timothy Winthrop