The Day of the Jackal season 2 has been showered with early praise by a key executive.

In late 2024, The Day of the Jackal premiered on Sky Atlantic in the United Kingdom, and Peacock in the United States. Adapting the same-named book by Frederick Forsyth, which had previously been adapted into a 1973 movie, this new take on the spy thriller proved to be a critical success, and was even renewed shortly after it premiered. While The Day of the Jackal season 2’s release date hasn’t been announced yet, Sky U.K.’s Meghan Lyvers already has positive things to say about it.

In an interview with The Hollywood Reporter, Lyvers, the company’s managing director, scripted originals, referenced The Day of the Jackal as one of Sky U.K.’s programs based on established intellectual property, then described the season 2 footage she’s seen so far as “fantastic.” In her words:

We really like to make a couple of big, massive, often IP-based, franchises. The Day of the Jackal is a really great example. I’ve just seen a couple of cuts of [season] 2, and it’s going to be fantastic. We can’t wait to bring that back next year.

Taking place in the present day rather than the 1970s, the TV version of The Day of the Jackal stars Fantastic Beasts’ Eddie Redmayne as Alexander Duggan, a.k.a. The Jackal, one of the world’s best assassins. Pursuing him in season 1 is MI6 agent Bianca Pullman, played by No Time to Die’s Lashana Lynch. Their season 1 costars include Úrsula Corberó, Chukwudi Iwuji, Khalid Abdalla, Lia Williams, Eleanor Matsuura, and Charles Dance, among others. This adaptation was created by MobLand’s Ronan Bennett, who served as season 1’s showrunner.

The Day of the Jackal season 1’s ending saw The Jackal escaping from the authorities, though not before killing Bianca at his Spain home when she tried to apprehend him one last time, albeit while no longer employed by MI6. However, after Nuria, Alexander’s wife, learned who he truly was, she stole some of his funds and fled with their son, Carlitos. Alexander set out to find them, but with his identity being exposed to several parities, including possibly MI6, and him owing money to corrupt corporate elites, he’s in more danger than ever.

This small screen adaptation of Forsyth’s novel boasts an 85% Tomatometer score on Rotten Tomatoes. The positive reception includes ScreenRant’s review of The Day of the Jackal season 1, saying that the show “finds a solid middle ground for fans of intense action and character dramas, making it easy to recommend.” Season 1’s accolades include being nominated for two Golden Globe Awards and one Primetime Emmy Award.

Because season 1 ended so differently from how the original book and movie concluded, namely by keeping The Jackal alive, season 2 will embark through uncharted territory with its story. Redmayne will be joined in The Day of the Jackal season 2 by Weruche Opia and Pablo Schreiber as series regulars, and Matt Bomer has reportedly been cast as a villain. Behind the scenes, Lockerbie: A Search for the Truth’s David Harrower has succeeded Bennett as showrunner.

The Day of the Jackal season 2 is expected to premiere in 2027.