The article argues that Eddie Redmayne’s performance in Peacock’s *The Day of the Jackal* makes him a credible underdog candidate for the next James Bond. It highlights his combination of calculated violence, dry politeness, physical adaptability and emotional restraint, suggesting these qualities echo Bond while offering a darker and more psychologically complex interpretation.

Redmayne’s Jackal is shown assassinating a German politician with a disguised sniper rifle, while adhering to a personal rule against unnecessary killing. The 10-part series also expands the character’s private life through his relationship with his wife Nuria and their son in Cádiz, adding sympathy and romantic tension reminiscent of *Casino Royale*; the performance earned Redmayne a Golden Globe nomination.