Robert De Niro Says Filming ‘Zero Day,’ His First Big TV Role, Was Like ‘Swimming the English Channel’: ‘I Gotta Keep Going, Otherwise I’m Gonna Sink’

by

In a new challenge for Robert De Niro, his debut in a TV series, “Zero Day” on Netflix, was like swimming across the English Channel without any sign of land in sight – a true test of endurance.

Doing three features consecutively is similar to what I experienced,” De Niro shared at a London preview event on Wednesday. “I was heavily involved, so it was crucial for me to stay on top of everything, from memorizing lines to understanding the overall plot. This reminded me of swimming across the English Channel – you can’t see France behind you and England ahead, but you have to keep going or risk sinking.

In this cyber-thriller, the award-winning actor takes on the role of George Mullen, a former U.S. President, now heading the Zero Day Commission. They are probing a catastrophic cyber attack that has left the country in disarray and claimed countless lives. Amidst the chaos, Mullen is compelled to delve into his own hidden past as he grapples with a world filled with misinformation, rival agendas from tech giants, finance moguls, and political influencers.

In this movie, the Oscar winner plays George Mullen, a former U.S. President investigating a massive cyber attack that has caused havoc. As he digs deeper, he uncovers his own secrets while dealing with lies, competing interests from tech companies, finance, and government figures.

Both versions maintain the original context but aim to make it more accessible and engaging for readers.

Eric Newman, known for his work on “Narcos”, teamed up with ex-president of NBC News Noah Oppenheim to create a six-episode series following discussions about truth’s role in society. Newman expressed that encountering conflicting accounts of the truth from different news sources was alarming, and such fears often drive his inspiration. During an event, he stated, “When something scares me, it usually sparks my creativity.” He shared this idea with Robert De Niro during dinner, mentioning that they were their top pick for the project. Newman explained, “If you require someone to portray a president or former president who needs authenticity, credibility, and weightiness, there are only a few options, and De Niro is one of the best.

For De Niro, who is also the executive producer, the project evolved naturally. “I expressed to my agent that I wanted to work on something where I’d be in New York for about five or six months,” De Niro said. “We discussed a limited series. Eric would send me an episode every few weeks, a few of them, enough for me to say: ‘Yes, I’m ready. I’ll take it on.’

The show presents Jesse Plemons in the role of a political assistant with an intricate past connection to De Niro’s character. According to Plemons, their relationship is fascinating because it has a deep, convoluted history that gradually unfolds throughout the series.

Three years after its creation, the series has found an unforeseen resonance. “Events have unfolded since then that we never could have foreseen,” Newman stated. Despite its somber undertones, he underscores the show’s inherently optimistic narrative. “I hope the audience finds a glimmer of hope in it, even in this world that often feels like it’s spiraling out of control,” he said.

Regarding Robert De Niro’s role as a U.S. president, Newman expressed, “It represents an aspiration – it’s like hoping for someone you admire to be in that position.

Lesli Linka Glatter takes charge of directing the entire six episodes in this series. Michael S. Schmidt and Jonathan Glickman have been added to the team of executive producers alongside Newman, Oppenheim, and De Niro. The impressive cast features Lizzy Caplan, Connie Britton, Joan Allen, Matthew Modine, and Angela Bassett.

“Zero Day” premieres globally on Netflix on Feb. 20.

Read More

2025-02-06 12:47