The Day of the Jackal is a TV series based on Frederick Forsyth’s 1971 novel of the same name. The story follows a professional assassin, known only as “The Jackal,” who is hired by a French extremist group to kill President Charles de Gaulle in the early 1960s. The group seeks revenge for France’s withdrawal from Algeria, which they see as a betrayal.
The Jackal is a cold, calculating killer who meticulously plans the assassination, leaving no room for error. He assumes false identities, acquires forged documents, and even designs a custom rifle for the job. His ability to evade detection makes him a formidable threat. Meanwhile, French authorities learn of the plot but have little to go on except the codename “Jackal.”
A seasoned detective, Deputy Commissioner Claude Lebel, is tasked with stopping the assassin. Despite limited clues, Lebel uses old-fashioned police work and intuition to track the Jackal’s movements. The cat-and-mouse game takes them across Europe as the Jackal stays one step ahead, adapting to every obstacle.
As the day of the planned assassination approaches, tension builds. The Jackal’s precision and Lebel’s determination collide in a high-stakes race against time. The series blends suspense, political intrigue, and meticulous detail, staying true to the novel’s gripping narrative. The ending delivers a dramatic resolution, leaving viewers on edge until the final moment.