Eddie Redmayne's hitman series The Day of the Jackal has become the biggest Sky Original ever, drawing in 3 million viewers in its first week.
The thriller show from Top Boy creator Ronan Bennett is also Sky's biggest launch in more than two years, beating The Last of Us to the title. An HBO acquisition, the post-apocalyptic drama achieved a viewership of 2.63 million in its first seven days.
House of the Dragon season 1 performed slightly better than The Day of the Jackal when it premiered in 2022, attracting 3.23 million viewers in its launch week.
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An adaptation of Frederick Forsyth's 1971 political thriller novel, The Day of the Jackal debuted its first five episodes on Sky in the UK on November 7. In the US, the series launches on Peacock today (November 14).
Redmayne plays the role of a contract killer known as The Jackal, while Captain Marvel's Lashana Lynch portrays Bianca, a British intelligence officer tasked to capture him. The series also stars Money Heist's Úrsula Corberó, Game of Thrones stars Charles Dance and Richard Dormer, and Peacemaker's Chukwudi Iwuji.
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"We are thrilled by the phenomenal global reception to The Day of the Jackal," executive director of Original Scripted, Sky UK and Ireland, Meghan Lyvers, commented.
"This series has captivated audiences with its propulsive storytelling, epic scope, and unforgettable performances from Eddie Redmayne, Lashana Lynch and Úrsula Corberó. Becoming Sky's biggest Original to date is a true reflection of the passion, dedication, and masterful artistry poured into every scene."
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"The overwhelming response to The Day of the Jackal has exceeded all expectations," executive producers Gareth Neame and Nigel Marchant added.
"Our goal was to bring a fresh perspective to this iconic story, and we're thrilled to see how well it has been received by audiences in the UK but also around the world.
"We couldn't have done it without the exceptional Eddie Redmayne, Lashana Lynch and the entire cast and crew; this record-breaking success is a testament to their incredible talent."
The Day of the Jackal airs on Sky Atlantic and streams on NOW. It's available on Peacock in the US.
Reporter, Digital Spy
Stefania is a freelance writer specialising in TV and movies. After graduating from City University, London, she covered LGBTQ+ news and pursued a career in entertainment journalism, with her work appearing in outlets including Little White Lies, The Skinny, Radio Times and Digital Spy.
Her beats are horror films and period dramas, especially if fronted by queer women. She can argue why Scream is the best slasher in four languages (and a half).
