The Day of the Jackal is returning — but not in 2026. Peacock has confirmed that Season 2 of the spy thriller will premiere in 2027, pushing back the long-awaited follow-up to the 2025 series that earned critical acclaim and a strong audience response. The delay comes after Ronan Bennett, the show’s original writer and showrunner, stepped down from his role during production. He has since been replaced by David Harrower, who now leads the writing and creative direction for the second season. Bennett previously penned the first season of MobLand on Paramount Plus, bringing a sharp, character-driven edge to the espionage genre. His departure marks a significant shift in tone and structure, though the core premise remains intact. The series is based on Frederick Forsyth’s 1971 novel, which was adapted into a 1973 film starring Edward Fox and later reimagined as a TV series on Peacock. That earlier adaptation featured Eddie Redmayne in the lead role as the Jackal, an elite sniper, master of disguise, and highly trained assassin. And Lashana Lynch as Bianca, a tenacious British intelligence officer whose expertise with firearms makes her uniquely suited to track him down. The first season’s official synopsis described a high-stakes mission: the Jackal is offered his most dangerous assignment yet, one that could finally allow him to walk away from a life of violence. But his actions draw the attention of Bianca, and what follows is a tense, cross-continental chase. As casualties mount and personal stakes rise, it becomes clear that both characters are being manipulated by forces beyond their control. The show’s success lies in its balance, not just between hunter and hunted, but between precision and consequence. It wasn’t just about the kill. It was about who survives it. The first season scored 85% on Rotten Tomatoes from critics and 77% from audiences, earning praise for its pacing, performances, and layered storytelling. Now, with Bennett out and Harrower at the helm, fans are wondering how much of that identity will remain. The show’s legacy is already tied to another major action series: Reacher, which stars Alan Ritchson and is itself inspired by Lee Child’s novels. Works that were shaped in part by The Day of the Jackal. Ritchson, once known mainly for Blue Mountain State, has since become a leading figure in Hollywood’s modern action wave, appearing in films like War Machine and Guy Ritchie’s upcoming The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare. His rise mirrors the trajectory of the Jackal himself, quiet, precise, and built to endure. With Season 2 set for 2027, the question isn’t just when the Jackal returns. It’s whether he’ll still be the same man when he does.