Eddie Redmayne’s physical transformations in ‘The Day of the Jackal’

Eddie Redmayne portrays a killer unlike any other in his latest role as an assassin in the upcoming thriller series The Day of the Jackal.

Award-winning actor, Redmayne, spoke to EW about his portrayal of the mysterious sniper known as the Jackal in the TV adaptation of Frederick Forsyth’s novel. Set to premiere on Peacock in November, viewers can expect a thrilling journey as Redmayne’s character delves into disguises that even make him unrecognizable to fans.

Eddie Redmayne on ‘The Day of the Jackal’.

Marcell Piti/Carnival Film & Television Limited

Redmayne teased, “I don’t want to give anything away, but that you can perhaps con an audience into believing that you are from a different country and a different generation was such a beautiful conceit in the script.”

The thrilling series will follow the Jackal’s escapades across Europe as he takes on his most daring mission yet, all while cleverly evading British intelligence through various deceptions and identities.

Eddie Redmayne.

Marcell Piti/Carnival Film & Television Limited

To bring the Jackal to life, Redmayne collaborated with a talented team, including his movement coach from “The Theory of Everything” and other experienced professionals in prosthetics, costume design, and dialect coaching. As Redmayne emphasized, the key was to unify all elements for a cohesive portrayal.

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Eddie Redmayne.

Marcell Piti/Carnival Film & Television Limited

Exploring the intricacies of disguise, Redmayne revealed how a character’s transformation can alter everything, from language nuances to physicality. The premiere episode will showcase the actor’s dedication to authenticity, with Redmayne diving deep into character details like never before.

Eddie Redmayne.

Marcell Piti/Carnival Film & Television Limited

Redmayne’s passion for challenging roles shines through as he delves into the complexities of portraying the Jackal. Each obstacle presented during filming only fueled his enthusiasm for the craft.

Despite the artistry involved, Redmayne humorously shared the less glamorous side of wearing prosthetics, especially under hot filming conditions, adding a touch of reality to the elaborate transformations seen on screen.

Eddie Redmayne.

Marcell Piti/Carnival Film & Television Limited

While the transformations on set were immersive, Redmayne detailed the surreal experience of shedding his character’s facade at the end of a long day, exposing the stark contrast between appearance and reality.

“What is really bizarre is at the end of the day, when you are standing in your boxer shorts sort of half naked with this older face on you — that looks very disconcerting,” he shared.

Catch the gripping series, Day of the Jackal, as it premieres on Peacock on Nov. 14 for a thrilling journey into the world of espionage and deception.

FAQs

Q: When does The Day of the Jackal premiere?

A: The series is set to premiere on Peacock on November 14.

Q: Who plays the lead role in The Day of the Jackal?

A: Eddie Redmayne portrays the enigmatic assassin known as the Jackal.

Q: What challenges did Eddie Redmayne face while preparing for his role?

A: Redmayne encountered various challenges, including language nuances, physical transformations using prosthetics, and maintaining authenticity in portraying the complex character.

Credit: ew.com