Eddie Redmayne’s intricate journey in ‘The Day of the Jackal’

When it comes to challenging roles, Eddie Redmayne is no stranger to transformation. However, his latest role as a stone-cold assassin in The Day of the Jackal proves to be his most demanding yet.

The grueling transformation process

The first episode of the series, which debuted on Sky in the U.K. on November 7 and on Peacock in the U.S. on November 14, begins with Redmayne’s character infiltrating a corporate headquarters disguised as an elderly German cleaner. This setup is pivotal, but also highlights the intense preparation that goes into such a role.

For just one scene, Redmayne spent over four hours in the makeup chair. This rigorous process, overseen by makeup designer Melanie Lenihan and prosthetics designer Richard Martin, involved applying extensive facial prosthetics and a foam suit to bulk up his frame. To make matters more challenging, the scene was filmed during an exceptionally hot day in Hungary, with no air-conditioning on set.

“My overwhelming memory of those days was Richard coming and doing pin pricks through the prosthetic and this sweat oozing out the top,” recalls Redmayne, laughing at the memory.

Acting through discomfort

Redmayne, known for his performances in films like Fantastic Beasts, The Theory of Everything, and The Danish Girl, acknowledges the unique challenges that come with acting through layers of prosthetics. Prosthetics are not just visually demanding but also restrict an actor’s comfort and necessitate an adaptation of their craft.

“You don’t get much time to prep with them because it costs so much money and they take so long to put on. And they’re so deeply uncomfortable that people quite often go, ‘Oh, that’s a prosthetic performance,’” Redmayne explains. Reflecting on other great performances such as Colin Farrell in The Penguin and Gary Oldman in The Darkest Hour, Redmayne points out that mastering prosthetic makeup is very much a “trial and error experience.”

Perfecting the character

The prosthetics are only one piece of the puzzle. Redmayne emphasizes the need for synchronization between physical appearance and the character’s voice. For this role, he had to master the German language, coached by a local dialect expert, to convincingly portray an elderly German cleaner. This effort required him to not only learn the dialect but also adjust the pitch to sound like a 70-year-old chain smoker.

“You can have a wonderful prosthetic, but if that doesn’t marry with a voice, then you’re screwed,” he concurs. The process doesn’t stop with physical transformation; it extends deep into vocal performance and mannerisms.

Behind the scenes with Redmayne

As an executive producer on The Day of the Jackal, Redmayne had a hand in several aspects of the ten-part series, including the production design. This involvement allowed him to share the prosthetics process with the audience. There’s a memorable scene where the Jackal removes his prosthetics slowly, reflecting the true-to-life duration and effort behind such transformations.

“I wanted an audience to get to see behind the curtain of it, so that moment when the Jackal takes [the prosthetics] off, rather than being unrealistic, it actually takes a good hour,” he explains.

A modern yet nostalgic adaptation

Redmayne, who was an admirer of the original 1973 film adaptation starring Edward Fox, felt a mix of excitement and nervousness when offered the role in The Day of the Jackal. His trepidation turned into enthusiasm after reading the first three episodes.

“It’s thoroughly compelling; I couldn’t stop turning the pages,” he says. The series, though modernized to look and feel contemporary, retains the analogue quality of Frederick Forsyth’s iconic 1971 novel.

Redmayne loves the meticulousness with which his character, the Jackal, prepares for his assassinations. The character’s strategies are described as being assembled with the precision of a Swiss watch, offering a gripping viewing experience as plans unfold and sometimes go awry.

Reflecting on character dynamics

The narrative complexity is enhanced by Bianca, a senior detective dedicated to capturing the elusive assassin, played by Lashana Lynch. Far from a simple good-vs-evil setup, both characters inhabit moral grey areas, striking a delicate balance between their respective obsessions and talents.

“I loved that the new version felt like two sides of the same coin. Both characters mirrored each other in their obsession, ruthlessness, and moral ambiguity,” Redmayne explains, highlighting a key aspect that makes the series compelling.

Future projects

As for Redmayne’s future, fans might be curious about Fantastic Beasts. While he has enjoyed his role as the earnest magi-zoologist Newt Scamander in the Harry Potter spin-off, he confirms that, for now, there aren’t plans for more films in the franchise.

“As far as I’m concerned – no,” he says, channeling some of the Jackal’s polite but decisive demeanor.

Discover more about Eddie Redmayne’s transformations.

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