The Day of the Jackal Season 2 Is Filming in Budapest: What Tourists Can Expect to See

Budapest has a way of sneaking into your travel photos, even when you’re not trying. One minute you’re walking along the Danube admiring the Parliament building, and the next you’re pausing because a street looks unusually polished, the traffic is being held for “just a moment,” and there’s a cluster of people with headsets who seem to know exactly what they’re doing. If you’ve spotted filming signs lately, you’re not imagining things. Season 2 of The Day of the Jackal is confirmed to return to Budapest for filming, and visitors have already reported production activity in the city, including sightings connected to Eddie Redmayne.

For foreign tourists, this is more than a fun bit of entertainment news. It’s another reminder that Budapest is one of Europe’s busiest screen cities, and it can add a surprisingly cinematic layer to your trip if you know what to look for.

Why Budapest Is Back on the Call Sheet for Season 2

Season 2 of The Day of the Jackal, the Sky and Peacock thriller, will film in Budapest alongside additional locations in Croatia and London. The production is handled by Carnival Films, and the creative team remains strong and familiar, with Ronan Bennett continuing as showrunner and directors including Brian Kirk, Paul Wilmshurst, Anthony Philipson, and Anu Menon attached to the new season. Hungarian production services will again be provided by Mid Atlantic Productions, continuing the setup used in Season 1.

That repeat choice is the real story. International productions don’t return to a city for multiple seasons unless it works smoothly on every level, from permits and logistics to crew depth and location variety. Budapest keeps proving it can deliver all of that, and The Day of the Jackal coming back reinforces the city’s status as a reliable, high-end production hub.

A Quick Refresher: What The Day of the Jackal Is About

If you haven’t watched Season 1 yet, the premise is instantly gripping. It’s a contemporary reimagining of Frederick Forsyth’s classic novel, centered on a professional assassin known as The Jackal, played by Eddie Redmayne. He’s hired for a high-stakes political assassination: the target is the French President. On the other side is Bianca, portrayed by Lashana Lynch, a determined law enforcement agent racing to identify him, locate him, and stop the hit before it happens.

That cat-and-mouse structure is part of why Budapest is such a good fit. The city can look sleek and modern in one shot and richly historic in the next, which is exactly what a globe-trotting thriller needs.

Budapest as a Character: Why Filmmakers Love This City

Budapest doesn’t just “stand in” for other places; it can convincingly play many roles. Grand boulevards and elegant facades can echo Paris or Vienna. Moody courtyards and older streets can feel like a European capital with decades of political history layered into the stone. Modern office buildings and riverfront hotels can pass for almost any international financial or diplomatic district. And when the camera turns toward the Danube at night, Budapest looks like it was designed for suspense.

Behind the scenes, Hungary’s appeal is practical as well as aesthetic. The city has a skilled film workforce with deep experience on international productions, and it offers production infrastructure that makes complex shoots possible without constant reinvention. When a series like The Day of the Jackal commits to filming here again, it’s effectively saying that Budapest isn’t a one-time bargain; it’s a dependable creative base.

What Tourists Might Notice While Filming Is Happening

Even if you never see Eddie Redmayne in person, you may still feel the city’s “production pulse.” Filming often brings short-term street closures, redirected pedestrian routes, and those familiar yellow notices taped to poles and doors that hint at what’s happening and when. Some areas may suddenly look more “neutral” or more “international,” with temporary signage and set dressing that transforms a very Budapest street into a believable slice of somewhere else.

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If you’re hoping to catch a glimpse, the best approach is to stay curious but respectful. Productions are usually happy to coexist with the city, but they also run on tight schedules. If a staff member asks you to move along or not to film something, it’s worth cooperating. You’ll still get a great story out of it, and you’ll keep the atmosphere friendly for everyone.

How to Turn This into a Fun Travel Theme: A Mini Film-Lover’s Budapest

One of the easiest ways to make your Budapest trip more memorable is to treat the city like a living set. As you explore, pay attention to contrasts: ornate historic buildings next to bold modern interiors, quiet side streets just off busy avenues, dramatic bridges that shift the whole mood of a scene. Thrillers love places that can change tone quickly, and Budapest does that naturally.

It’s also worth remembering that Budapest’s film identity isn’t limited to one series. The city has hosted countless international productions over the years, and locals are accustomed to seeing cameras in the wild. In other words, if you came for thermal baths and ruin bars, you can still accidentally end up with a behind-the-scenes travel moment—without planning your whole itinerary around it.

Budapest, London, and Croatia: What the Season 2 Locations Suggest

With Season 2 filming across Budapest, London, and Croatia, the new episodes are likely to lean into that international chase feeling even more. London brings an unmistakable spy-thriller credibility, while Croatia often provides dramatic coastal scenery and sunlit stone architecture that reads instantly as “Mediterranean Europe.” Budapest, sitting at the crossroads of Central Europe with its mix of imperial grandeur and contemporary city life, ties that geography together beautifully.

For fans visiting Budapest, that makes the city feel connected to the show’s broader world rather than being a hidden substitute.

Planning Your Budapest Trip During Filming Season

If you’re traveling to Budapest while The Day of the Jackal Season 2 is in production, it’s smart to build a little flexibility into your sightseeing plans. A river cruise, a thermal bath visit, or a museum afternoon can save the day if a favorite street or viewpoint is temporarily busy. The upside is that filming rarely disrupts the entire city. More often, it creates a small pocket of excitement that you can either detour around or lean into for the experience.

And if you do stumble upon a shoot, consider it a very Budapest souvenir: the city is famous for architecture, food, and nightlife, but it’s increasingly famous for being camera-ready too.

The Big Picture: Budapest’s Growing Reputation in International TV

The return of The Day of the Jackal to Budapest is part of a larger pattern. High-profile projects keep choosing Hungary not just once, but repeatedly, because the city can support premium TV storytelling at scale. For tourists, that means Budapest will continue to feel current, creative, and globally connected—even when you’re simply walking to dinner.

If you share your travel dates and the neighborhoods you’re staying in, I can help you shape a film-themed day in Budapest that still hits the essentials like Buda Castle, the Parliament area, and the best Danube viewpoints, while maximizing your chances of seeing the city’s production side in a natural, low-effort way.