What is the plot?

The series opens with an elite assassin known as the Jackal, an Englishman, executing a precise sniper assassination of a German political figure in Munich. The shot is made with exceptional marksmanship, drawing the attention of British intelligence. At MI6 headquarters in London, analyst Bianca Pullman notices the killing and begins investigating, suspecting the assassin's identity and methods.

Bianca traces the weapon used in the Munich assassination to a single gunsmith, which leads her to former IRA contacts. She pursues leads that take her across Europe, determined to track down the Jackal. Meanwhile, the Jackal prepares for his next contract: to assassinate a tech billionaire named Ulle, who is about to launch software that could expose the financial records of the ultra-wealthy.

The Jackal maintains a covert lifestyle, using multiple disguises and false identities. He has a secret family life in Catalonia with his wife Nuria, who is initially unaware of his true profession. The Jackal's villa contains a hidden room filled with disguises, weapons, and large sums of cash. As the story progresses, Nuria's suspicions about her husband's activities grow, threatening to unravel his carefully constructed facade.

Bianca's investigation intensifies when she discovers the Jackal's phone number and traces it to Belarus. She is sent there to arrest a man named Norman, who is connected to the Jackal's operations. The arrest attempt goes wrong when Norman kills two of Bianca's colleagues and escapes, leading Bianca to suspect that someone tipped Norman off.

The Jackal continues to prepare for the assassination of Ulle. He poses as an architectural engineer to gain access to the venue where Ulle will appear. He deceives a man named Rasmus to obtain building schematics, which he uses to find a hiding spot inside the venue. The Jackal arrives before the security team locks down the building two days ahead of the event.

As the launch event begins, the Jackal takes position to fire his shot at Ulle. However, just as he is about to take the shot, another assassin attempts to kill Ulle, ruining the Jackal's opportunity. The Jackal escapes the venue but is pursued by Rasmus. In a tense confrontation, the Jackal reluctantly kills Rasmus before fleeing the scene.

Bianca and her colleague Vincent are targeted by a hit squad sent by the Jackal's associate Zina, who tries to eliminate them outside the British embassy. Bianca and Vincent manage to kill their attackers, but the danger escalates. Meanwhile, Nuria's brother Alvaro steals money and a gun from the Jackal's vault for a business deal, an act the Jackal observes through hidden cameras.

Bianca and Vincent raid the Jackal's Airbnb, but he is not there; instead, he is staying with Rasmus. The Jackal's web of deception tightens as he continues to evade capture while preparing for his next moves. The series follows this escalating cat-and-mouse chase across Europe, with Bianca closing in and the Jackal's personal and professional lives increasingly at risk.

What is the ending?

Short Narrative: In the finale of "The Day of the Jackal" (2024), the Jackal, played by Eddie Redmayne, successfully kills his target, Ulle Dag Charles, in Croatia. He then flees to Spain, where he confronts MI6 agent Bianca, played by Lashana Lynch. The Jackal outmaneuvers Bianca, leading to her death. Afterward, he is attacked by Winthrop's men but manages to escape. The season concludes with the Jackal seeking a new job and planning to reunite with his family.

Expanded Narrative:

The final episodes of "The Day of the Jackal" unfold with the Jackal, Charles, meticulously planning to assassinate Ulle Dag Charles (UDC) in exchange for a substantial sum. However, his initial plan is foiled when an unrelated assassin disrupts the event. Undeterred, the Jackal devises a new strategy to target UDC on his private island. Meanwhile, MI6 agent Bianca is closing in on the Jackal, having discovered his real identity and tracked him to his home base.

In a pivotal scene, the Jackal successfully executes his mission by killing UDC while he is swimming in Croatia. This act marks a significant moment in the Jackal's career as an assassin, showcasing his skill and determination.

Following the successful assassination, the Jackal flees to Spain, where he has a concealed family residence. Bianca, determined to bring him to justice, tracks him down to this location. The confrontation between the Jackal and Bianca is intense and suspenseful. In a nighttime gun battle, the Jackal gains the upper hand, and Bianca is fatally shot. This moment is particularly poignant as it marks the end of Bianca's relentless pursuit of the Jackal and highlights the dangerous nature of their cat-and-mouse game.

After Bianca's death, the Jackal faces another challenge when he is unexpectedly attacked by Winthrop's men. Winthrop, who had hired the Jackal for the UDC hit, fails to pay him and instead attempts to eliminate him. The Jackal manages to escape this ambush, leaving him presumed dead by his attackers.

In the aftermath, the Jackal meets with Zina Jansone, who had acted as a liaison between him and Winthrop. Zina reveals Winthrop's betrayal and expresses her desire to seek revenge against him. The Jackal agrees but prioritizes finding his family first. His wife, Nuria, has left him, taking their child with her, adding a personal layer to the Jackal's story and setting the stage for potential future conflicts.

The season concludes with the Jackal expressing his readiness for a new job, indicating that despite the challenges and betrayals he faced, he remains committed to his profession as an assassin. This ending sets the stage for a second season, which will likely explore the Jackal's pursuit of his family and his dealings with Winthrop and his associates.

Is there a post-credit scene?

Based on available sources, there is no evidence of a post-credit scene in the 2024 television adaptation of The Day of the Jackal. The series finale concludes with a series of emotionally charged, visually striking moments, but none of the detailed recaps, explainers, or reviews mention any additional content after the credits roll.

The final scenes focus on the aftermath of the climactic confrontation between the Jackal (Charles) and MI5 agent Bianca. After Bianca is fatally shot, the Jackal surveys her motionless body with a mix of respect and inevitability, acknowledging her tenacity even as he remains detached and focused on his own survival. The camera lingers on the quiet, almost ghostly atmosphere of the scene, emphasizing the Jackal's ability to disappear into the world, leaving behind only questions and unresolved tension.

The narrative then shifts to the Jackal's personal life: his wife, Nuria, has fled with their child, and he is left alone, wounded, and determined to find them. In a separate thread, businesswoman Jone arranges a secret meeting with the Jackal, proposing a new mission of revenge against his former employer, Timothy Winthrop, for failing to pay him after the assassination. These threads are resolved within the main body of the episode, not in a post-credit sequence.

In summary, the 2024 series The Day of the Jackal does not feature a post-credit scene. All major plot points and character arcs are resolved within the episode's runtime, and the finale's emotional and narrative weight is carried by its final, haunting images of loss, pursuit, and the Jackal's elusive nature.

How does the Jackal manage to evade capture in the early episodes?

The Jackal uses his mastery of disguise and fake identities to evade capture. He is shown to be highly skilled in creating new personas and using them to blend into different environments, making it difficult for his pursuers to track him down. Additionally, his ability to adapt and improvise helps him stay one step ahead of his adversaries.

What role does Bianca Pullman play in the series?

Bianca Pullman is a tenacious British intelligence officer who becomes the Jackal's primary adversary. She uses her analytical skills to track the Jackal across Europe, often coming close to capturing him but consistently being outmaneuvered by his cunning and resourcefulness.

How does the Jackal's relationship with Nuria evolve throughout the series?

The Jackal's relationship with Nuria, his wife, becomes increasingly strained as she begins to suspect the true nature of his work. Initially, Nuria is depicted as being unaware of the Jackal's activities, but as the series progresses, her growing suspicions create tension in their relationship, threatening to expose the Jackal's secret life.

What is the significance of the tech billionaire target in the series?

The tech billionaire is a target for the Jackal because he is about to release software that could compromise the financial records of the wealthy. This plot point highlights the Jackal's role as a high-stakes assassin who takes on jobs that have significant implications for powerful individuals and organizations.

How does Zina contribute to the Jackal's plans?

Zina is involved in the Jackal's planning and helps him deal with threats, such as sending a hit squad to attack Bianca and Vincent. Her involvement indicates that the Jackal sometimes relies on external assistance to manage risks and maintain his operations.

Is this family friendly?

The 2024 TV series The Day of the Jackal is not family friendly and is rated TV-MA, intended for mature audiences. It contains strong violence, including bloody shootings, assassinations, stabbings, and intense fight scenes, some of which are graphic and potentially upsetting. There is also sexual content and nudity, such as sex scenes and male rear nudity in certain episodes. Additionally, the show features frequent strong language and mature themes that may be disturbing for children or sensitive viewers.

Potentially objectionable or upsetting aspects include:

  • Graphic and bloody violence, including self-inflicted wounds and massacres
  • Sexual scenes with nudity
  • Frequent use of strong profanity
  • Mature and dark thematic content related to assassination and espionage

Because of these elements, the series is recommended only for adults and mature teens over 17, and it is not suitable for children or younger teenagers.