‘Reacher’ Creator Cites Spy Thriller ‘The Day of the Jackal’ as Inspiration

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Jack Reacher first appeared in Lee Child’s 1997 novel, Killing Floor, launching Child as a new and exciting author in the thriller world. While the character was later portrayed by Tom Cruise in two movies that received a mixed response, the 2022 Prime Video series Reacher finally delivered the adaptation fans had been hoping for, correcting the issues with the films and accurately capturing the essence of the character.

Interestingly, the character Jack Reacher might not exist if not for a 1971 novel by Frederick Forsyth. Like Lee Child’s debut, The Killing Floor, Forsyth’s first book was an instant hit when released and was even made into a movie before becoming part of a series. Child, an avid reader, was so impressed by Forsyth’s work that it ultimately inspired him to create Jack Reacher.

Lee Child Called ‘The Day of the Jackal‘ a “Game-Changing Thriller”

Frederick Forsyth’s The Day of the Jackal is a classic spy thriller that follows a professional assassin hired by a shadowy organization to kill French President Charles de Gaulle. Published in the United States on August 6, 1971, the novel won the Edgar Award for Best Novel in 1972, establishing Forsyth as a leading author in the thriller genre.

Unlike most thrillers of its era, The Day of the Jackal felt remarkably realistic, almost like a detailed report. Author Frederick Forsyth, a former journalist, included a wealth of specific details – things like the price of forged documents and the process of obtaining illegal weapons. As Lee Child explained to the BBC in 2021, the book’s novelty lay in how things were done, not just if they could be done. He added:

That was a completely radical change, it hadn’t been done before.

Reading The Day of the Jackal deeply influenced Lee Child and shaped his own writing style. He explained, “It really did affect me. I naturally assumed readers would be fascinated by the small details, accuracy, and a realistic portrayal of military life—what it would have been like for the character in the Army and what he would have experienced.”

Eddie Redmayne Shines in ‘The Day of the Jackal’ on Peacock

I’m a big fan of The Day of the Jackal, and I was so excited when it was made into a movie back in 1973 with Edward Fox – it’s still really well-regarded, with a 91% score on Rotten Tomatoes! And now, just recently in 2024, they’ve done another adaptation for TV, which is available on Sky Atlantic in the UK and Peacock here in the US.

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The series, led by Eddie Redmayne as The Jackal, updates Frederick Forsyth’s novel for today’s audience, and while it takes some liberties with the original story, it remains a gripping spy thriller. Redmayne delivers a compelling performance as a conflicted assassin, pursued by MI6 agent Bianca Pullman, played by Lashana Lynch.

With an 85% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, The Day of the Jackal currently has one season consisting of 10 episodes. It’s a quick and easy show to watch all the way through – perfect for a weekend binge! Good news for fans: the show has been renewed for a second season, which is expected to arrive in late 2026 or early 2027.



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2026-03-01 16:18