Production Commences on The Day of the Jackal Season 2 with David Harrower Taking the Helm

The high-stakes world of international espionage is set to return as production for the second season of the hit thriller "The Day of the Jackal" officially got underway in January 2026. This milestone marks a significant step forward for the series, which has already shattered viewership records across multiple platforms. Alongside the start of filming, a notable shift in the creative leadership has been confirmed: series creator Ronan Bennett has stepped down from his role as lead writer to focus on other commitments. However, Bennett will remain involved as an executive producer, ensuring that the foundational vision he established for the show remains intact throughout the upcoming chapters.

Stepping into the pivotal role of showrunner and head writer is David Harrower, the acclaimed Scottish playwright perhaps best known for his work on the miniseries "Lockerbie: A Search for Truth." Born in Edinburgh in 1966, Harrower is a celebrated literary figure whose plays have been translated into more than twenty languages. His appointment suggests a fresh narrative direction for the series. Interestingly, producers at Carnival Films have indicated that this second installment will align more closely with the plot of Frederick Forsyth’s original 1971 novel. This represents a stylistic shift from the debut season, which took considerable creative liberties with the source material to modernize the cat-and-mouse game.

Fans will be pleased to see Academy Award winner Eddie Redmayne reprising his role as the enigmatic and lethal professional assassin known as the Jackal. Joining him once again is Lashana Lynch, who portrays the determined intelligence officer tasked with bringing him to justice. The ensemble cast is expanding for the second season with the addition of two high-profile series regulars: Weruche Opia, recognized for her standout performance in "I May Destroy You," and Pablo Schreiber, the star of "Halo." Schreiber, who was born on April 26, 1978, and has previously appeared in "Orange Is the New Black" and "American Gods," brings a wealth of experience to the production. While their casting has been confirmed, the specific details regarding their characters remain strictly under wraps.

The first season, which debuted in November 2024 with a 10-episode run, was a collaborative effort between Sky in the United Kingdom and Peacock in the United States. Its commercial performance was nothing short of extraordinary, becoming Sky’s most successful original project launch in two years and surpassing the viewership figures of critically acclaimed hits like "House of the Dragon" and "Chernobyl." On the Peacock streaming service, it secured its place as the most-watched new original drama series in the platform's history. Driven by this momentum, the production team is currently targeting a release window for the second season in late 2026 or early 2027.

The scale of the production remains ambitious, with filming confirmed to take place across several international locations, including London, Croatia, and Budapest, Hungary. The choice of Hungary as a primary filming hub is bolstered by the country’s attractive 30% cash rebate system, facilitated through local partners like Mid Atlantic Films. This financial incentive continues to make the region a magnet for major international television productions. Following the critical success of the first season—which earned an 85% approval rating from critics and a 76% score from audiences on Rotten Tomatoes—the franchise has firmly established itself as a cornerstone of modern prestige television.