A Familiar Face From ‘Halo’ Is Entering One of TV’s Sharpest Spy Thrillers

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Adrienn Szabo / ©Paramount+/Microsoft / Courtesy Everett Collection

Published Feb 9, 2026, 3:58 PM EST

In over three years at Collider, senior author Jake has now penned over 2500 articles covering a wide range of TV and film for the resources, lists, utilities, news, and interview teams. Alongside interviewing stars such as Selin Hizli, Rose Ayling-Ellis, Harlan Coben, and Chelsea Peretti, Jake was lucky enough to visit the set of Aardman and Netflix's Wallace and Gromit: A Vengeance Most Fowl in 2024, getting the chance to chat with four-time Academy Award winner Nick Park and Merlin Crossingham. Jake has also worked for other publications, including Agents of Fandom.

Debuting in late 2024, The Day of the Jackal was an instant success for creator Ronan Bennett, who only months later debuted his hugely successful Paramount+ series MobLand. Starring Oscar-winner Eddie Redmayne as a mysterious assassin known only as "The Jackal," the series shot to the top of the streaming charts upon debut, becoming the biggest new series to ever launch on Sky in the U.K. and ranking among the 10 most-streamed original dramas in both its opening week and the week of its finale.

Almost as soon as it debuted, this adaptation of the Frederick Forsyth novel of the same name was renewed for a second season, with some expecting the series to return to Peacock in late 2026 or early 2027. After a period of quiet in which the show rejoined the streaming charts in the U.S., it has been officially revealed that Halo star Pablo Schreiber and I May Destroy You's Weruche Opia will be joining a returning Redmayne in The Day of the Jackal Season 2. Currently, any information regarding character or plot for Season 2 is being kept tightly under wraps. A synopsis for the series reads:

"An unrivaled and highly elusive lone assassin, the Jackal, (Eddie Redmayne) makes his living carrying out hits for the highest fee. But following his latest kill, he meets his match in a tenacious British intelligence officer (Lashana Lynch) who starts to track down the Jackal in a thrilling cat-and-mouse chase across Europe, leaving destruction in its wake."

'The Day of the Jackal' Impressed Critics

With an 85% rating from critics on review aggregator Rotten Tomatoes, with one dubbing the series "outstanding," The Day of the Jackal is an unquestionable hit. Scoring 9% higher than creator Bennett's MobLand on the review site, The Day of the Jackal stood out for its strong performances and fast-paced, gripping storytelling.

Collider's Jeff Ewing said, "The Day of the Jackal doesn't try to reinvent the wheel, introduce near-future tech, or overwhelm audiences with novel genre hybridity" in his review, adding, "It's simple but elegantly crafted, well cast, and capably structured to keep tension, backed by strong performances. Moreover, it's a good, highly watchable thriller series that will keep viewers engaged throughout its main characters' tit-for-tat pursuit."

The Day of the Jackal just landed a Halo star for its second season. For more updates on the hottest shows, make sure to stay tuned to Collider.