The Day Of The Jackal Episode 10 Finale: 7 Shocking Twists And How The Ending Sets Up Season 2

The Day of the Jackal's Season 1 finale, Episode 10, which aired in December 2024, delivered one of the most unexpected and shocking twists in modern espionage thrillers, completely subverting the established narrative of the original Frederick Forsyth novel and the iconic 1973 film adaptation. This 10-episode reimagining, starring Academy Award-winner Eddie Redmayne, successfully concluded its first run on Peacock and Sky Atlantic, but not without leaving a trail of bodies and a massive cliffhanger that has set the stage for the already-confirmed Season 2.

The finale, simply titled "Episode 10," was a masterclass in tension, finally bringing the elusive, highly-skilled assassin, known only as the Jackal (or Charles), face-to-face with the determined British intelligence officer, Bianca. Fans who expected a faithful recreation of the original's ending were left stunned by a bold new direction that ensures the story of the world's most dangerous hitman is far from over.

Eddie Redmayne: The Jackal's Profile and Biography

The 2024 adaptation of The Day of the Jackal centers on the character of Charles, the titular assassin, portrayed with chilling precision by Eddie Redmayne. Unlike the original's largely anonymous killer, this Jackal is given a complex personal life and a clear motive—a move that adds depth to the character and makes his actions all the more compelling. The show transforms him from a cold, professional killer into a man driven by a blend of nihilism and a desire for ultimate freedom.

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• Full Name: Edward John David Redmayne
• Character in Series: The Jackal (Charles Calthrop)
• Date of Birth: January 6, 1982
• Place of Birth: London, England
• Notable Awards: Academy Award (Oscar) for Best Actor (The Theory of Everything), Tony Award, BAFTA Award, Golden Globe Award.
• Education: Eton College, Trinity College, Cambridge (History of Art).
• Key Role: The Jackal is an elite, highly-paid, and elusive assassin who accepts a contract to kill a high-profile target (UDC) for a massive fee.
• Series Co-Stars: Lashana Lynch (Bianca), Richard Dormer (Norman), Úrsula Corberó, Chukwudi Iwuji.
• Series Creator/Writer: Ronan Bennett.
• Series Director (Episode 10): Paul Wilmshurst.

7 Shocking Twists That Defined The Episode 10 Finale

The build-up across the entire season—from the initial assassination attempt that put the Jackal on the radar of MI6 and the French intelligence—culminated in a frantic, bloody finale. Episode 10 delivered on the promise of a high-stakes thriller, but its most memorable moments were the deviations from the source material.

1. The Jackal Successfully Completes His Primary Mission

In a major departure from the original story, the Jackal (Charles) successfully carries out the assassination. The target, identified as the head of the Universal Defence Corporation (UDC), is shot by Charles during his daily swim. This act is a monumental success for the Jackal and a catastrophic failure for the combined intelligence agencies, immediately raising the stakes for a potential Season 2.

2. Bianca’s Partner, Vince, Pays the Ultimate Price

The intense final confrontation sees Bianca (Lashana Lynch) and her partner, Vince, close in on Charles. As Bianca attempts to flush the Jackal out of his hiding place by setting off a security alarm, Vince spots a red sniper target on Bianca’s forehead, realizing Charles has her in his sights. In a heroic, split-second decision, Vince tackles Bianca to the ground, taking the bullet himself. This shocking death of a major supporting character provides a powerful, emotional anchor to Bianca’s motivation moving forward.

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3. The Jackal Escapes, Subverting the Classic Ending

The most significant twist is The Jackal's fate. In both the 1973 film and the Frederick Forsyth novel, the Jackal is ultimately caught and killed by Deputy Commissioner Claude Lebel (the inspiration for Bianca's character). The 2024 series completely overturns this, with Charles successfully evading capture after the assassination. This strategic escape is the lynchpin for the entire series, ensuring the Jackal lives to fight another day and justifying the Season 2 renewal.

4. The Caravanner's Fatal Mistake

In his desperate flight, Charles seeks refuge with a group of caravanners. While he initially forms an uneasy alliance, the wife of the couple, driven by panic and fear, stabs Charles. Despite coming to like the couple, Charles, with no other option and his survival instinct paramount, is forced to kill the husband to secure his escape vehicle and medical supplies. This brutal, intimate moment highlights the Jackal's ruthless pragmatism and his capacity for violence even against those who offered him aid.

5. The Fate of Alvaro and the Body Count

The finale's high body count includes the tragic death of Alvaro, a character who had the misfortune of stumbling upon Bianca and her team during their pursuit of Charles. Bianca, in a moment of extreme tension and paranoia, guns him down. This moment blurs the moral lines for the protagonist, showing the extreme pressure and the ethical compromises required in the world of espionage, reinforcing the show's dark tone.

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6. The Unresolved Financial Mystery

The finale leaves a tantalizing thread regarding the Jackal's finances. The information suggests that Nuria, a character connected to Charles, left a substantial amount of money for him, allowing him to pack his belongings and fund his escape. This plot point is crucial, as it confirms Charles is not just a desperate fugitive but a well-funded, calculated, and highly resourceful operative, ready to rebuild his life and potentially take on new contracts in Season 2.

7. Bianca's Personal Vengeance for Season 2

With the death of Vince and the successful escape of Charles, the ending of Episode 10 transforms Bianca’s professional pursuit into a deeply personal one. Her failure to capture the Jackal, coupled with the loss of her partner, fuels a powerful new motivation. The final scenes suggest that Bianca is now driven by vengeance, setting up a compelling, highly personal cat-and-mouse game for the second season. The Jackal has become her white whale, and the stakes are higher than ever.

Critical Acclaim and Topical Authority

The 2024 series has garnered significant critical attention for its modern take on a classic story. Critics praised the show for its "tense, well-crafted update" and its ability to maintain suspense over a longer, 10-episode format.

The performances of the main cast, particularly Eddie Redmayne’s nuanced portrayal of the Jackal, were highlighted as a major strength. The show successfully updated the original's themes, focusing on modern global conspiracies, high-tech surveillance, and the psychology of a modern assassin. While some reviews noted the series felt more like a "lifestyle show than thriller" due to its focus on the Jackal's luxurious life and detailed interest in firearms, the consensus remains that it is a "propulsive action thriller" that effectively draws viewers into a world of "conspiracy and espionage."

The decision by showrunner Ronan Bennett to change the ending—specifically by allowing Charles to escape—is a bold move that has generated immense discussion, solidifying the series' topical authority as a unique and fresh interpretation of the source material. It ensures that the legacy of The Day of the Jackal continues not as a closed, historical thriller, but as a live, evolving, and contemporary espionage saga.

What Lies Ahead: The Day of the Jackal Season 2

The dramatic conclusion of Episode 10 serves as a perfect launchpad for Season 2. With the Jackal (Charles) having successfully completed his contract and escaped with a substantial sum of money, he is now an even greater threat—a ghost with a proven track record of success against the world's top intelligence agencies.

Season 2 is expected to delve deeper into the Jackal's life on the run, his new aliases, and the potential for new, high-stakes contracts. Simultaneously, Bianca’s pursuit will be relentless, fueled by personal grief and professional failure. This reversal of the original ending—where the Jackal is caught—is the series’ biggest trump card, creating an entirely new narrative arc that promises to be even more explosive and unpredictable. The cat-and-mouse game has just begun, and fans are eagerly anticipating the next chapter of this modern masterpiece.