Richard Dormer on The Day Of The Jackal: "Originally they offered me two other parts which I turned down..."

Speaking to Hot Press as part of a recent interview, Lisburn actor Richard Dormer has revealed that he was originally offered two other roles in the hit new series The Day Of The Jackal, before requesting the part of criminal gunsmith Norman Stoke.

Since its premiere on Sky Atlantic and NOW earlier this month, The Day Of The Jackal (starring Eddie Redmayne) has continued to garner rave reviews – with news coming in this week that the series has already been renewed for a second season.

The show – written and created by Belfast-born Ronan Bennett, famed for his work on Top Boy – is based on the 1971 Frederick Forsyth novel of the same name. The book also inspired a classic film adaptation in 1973.

“Originally they offered me two other parts which I turned down because I loved Cyril Cusack as Norman Stoke in the original 1970s The Day Of The Jackal movie,” Dormer tells Hot Press. “I said, ‘I know it’s less work and less money but that’s who I want to play’ – and they went, ‘Yep!’ I was overjoyed because I knew I’d be doing those scenes with Eddie who’s just an incredible actor.”

While respectful of Bennett’s script – “He’s stuck to the spirit and structure of the story, but modernised it and given the Jackal more of a backstory and depth,” the actor explains – Dormer and Redmayne managed to sneak in a few adlibs...

“There’s a scene where we’re drinking whiskey and talking about my marriage and all the lovers I’ve had, which we didn’t think there was enough playfulness in – so we added some!” Richard laughs. “The only scenes I have are with Eddie but the likes of Úrsula Corberó, Lashana Lynch, Ben Hall, Charles Dance and two of my fellow Northern Irish actors, Jonjo O’Neill and Patrick O’Kane, are also brilliant in it.”

Dormer goes on to recall that, after watching the finished episodes, his response was: "It's James Bond on television!"

"Michael Gambon said I’d make a great Bond villain," he adds. "Maybe it’s the deep voice or something!”

The Day Of The Jackal is available now on Sky Atlantic and NOW.

You can read our full interview with Richard Dormer here.