Eddie Redmayne earns ‘£1million per episode’ for gritty new thriller The Day Of The Jackal – as series becomes ‘Sky’s most expensive series to date’

Eddie Redmayne earns '£1million per episode' for gritty new thriller The Day Of The Jackal - as series becomes 'Sky's most expensive series to date'

As a seasoned viewer who’s seen countless adaptations and reimaginings of classic novels, I must admit that I was initially skeptical about The Day Of The Jackal being revisited for modern television. However, having read Gareth Neame and Nigel Marchant’s thoughts on the project, I find myself intrigued rather than apprehensive.


According to reports, Eddie Redmayne is set to earn approximately £1 million per episode for his role in Sky’s gritty new take on The Day Of The Jackal.

As your go-to lifestyle guide, I’m excited to share my thoughts on a fresh, 10-episode series that finds a talented actor, age 42, stepping into the enigmatic shoes of the solitary assassin, famously portrayed by Edward Fox in the timeless 1973 film as The Jackal. This intriguing character is about to captivate us once more!

According to The Mirror, Eddie is set to receive a substantial payment, as the thriller has turned out to be Sky’s costliest series so far.

The winning Oscar recipient stands to earn approximately £10 million in total for portraying the lead character, a man who amasses wealth by performing contracts (hits) with the largest payouts.

According to industry sources, the production budget for the upcoming series, featuring Lashana Lynch who played Captain Marvel, has been estimated to be an impressive £100 million.

Eddie Redmayne earns '£1million per episode' for gritty new thriller The Day Of The Jackal - as series becomes 'Sky's most expensive series to date'

Eddie Redmayne earns '£1million per episode' for gritty new thriller The Day Of The Jackal - as series becomes 'Sky's most expensive series to date'

As a devoted fan, I’m eagerly anticipating the upcoming series that’s being meticulously crafted by Carnival Films. This highly-anticipated production has been approved by Sky Studios, who will broadcast it across the United Kingdom and a significant portion of Europe. Additionally, the US streaming service Peacock will also have the privilege of airing this series in many parts of the USA.

According to The Mirror, the massive salary was a record-breaking amount for a celebrity. However, it seems that such exorbitant paychecks have become standard practice when large corporations like Netflix, Apple, and in this instance, Peacock, are involved.

According to reports, numerous television networks and broadcasters find themselves under financial strain due to tightened budgets. However, they seem unfazed when it comes to producing premium dramas aimed at a worldwide audience in collaboration with streaming platforms.

‘If you can do a deal with one of them, you can absolutely break the bank.’

TopMob have contacted representatives of Eddie for comment. 

This story originated from a novel written by Frederick Forsyth, focusing on a professional killer assigned to kill French President Charles de Gaulle.)

Yet, the cunning Jackal encounters a relentless British intelligence operative (Lashana, aged 36) who embarks on a high-stakes pursuit, leading to an exhilarating game of cat and mouse throughout Europe, causing havoc along the way.

In addition, you’ll see Chukwudi Iwuji from Guardians of the Galaxy, Charles Dance known for Game of Thrones, and Ursula Corbero, who gained fame in Money Heist, gracing the screen as well.

Eddie Redmayne earns '£1million per episode' for gritty new thriller The Day Of The Jackal - as series becomes 'Sky's most expensive series to date'
Eddie Redmayne earns '£1million per episode' for gritty new thriller The Day Of The Jackal - as series becomes 'Sky's most expensive series to date'
Eddie Redmayne earns '£1million per episode' for gritty new thriller The Day Of The Jackal - as series becomes 'Sky's most expensive series to date'

It was adapted for the small screen by Ronan Bennett, the creator and writer of the critically acclaimed English crime drama Top Boy. 

The Day Of The Jackal was directed by Brian Kirk whose credits include Game Of Thrones and Luther. 

The series is manufactured by Carnival Films, a subsidiary of Universal International Studios, which falls under the umbrella of Universal Studio Group.

In this production setup, Eddie holds the role of Executive Producer, while Lashana is listed as Co-Executive Producer. Additionally, the position of Consulting Producer is filled by author Frederick.

Executive producers Gareth Neame and Nigel Marchant, who were involved with Downton Abbey, recently shared insights about the project with GQ magazine.

Gareth stated: “We’ve always held a special affection for that book, and we watched the movie as children – I’ve re-watched it multiple times throughout my life, and have consistently admired it.”

Eddie Redmayne earns '£1million per episode' for gritty new thriller The Day Of The Jackal - as series becomes 'Sky's most expensive series to date'
Eddie Redmayne earns '£1million per episode' for gritty new thriller The Day Of The Jackal - as series becomes 'Sky's most expensive series to date'
Eddie Redmayne earns '£1million per episode' for gritty new thriller The Day Of The Jackal - as series becomes 'Sky's most expensive series to date'
Eddie Redmayne earns '£1million per episode' for gritty new thriller The Day Of The Jackal - as series becomes 'Sky's most expensive series to date'

Initially hesitant due to its prestigious nature, they found the prospect of extending the narrative through a television series was an opportunity they couldn’t resist.

“We found the original tale so captivating, we believe updating it for modern times, utilizing multiple episodes, would make for an intriguing reinterpretation of this esteemed intellectual property. That’s our plan.”

Nigel concurred, stating, “It seems that such a title is deeply ingrained in the collective mindset… And indeed, why not present it on a broader stage?”

Answering the main question of why the series is set in the 2020s as opposed to the ’60s of the book and the film, Gareth simply said: ‘If we’d stayed in the past, why do it? You can’t better the film.’ 

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2024-08-28 04:24

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