Robert De Niro stars as a former US president in the first images from Netflix’s new political thriller series, Day Zero. Created by Eric Newman, Noah Oppenheim and Michael Schmidt, Netflix’s upcoming political thriller series follows a former US president tasked with heading the titular commission tasked with finding the perpetrators of a devastating cyberattack. Robert De Niro stars alongside an impressive cast that includes Lizzy Caplan, Jesse Plemons, Joan Allen, Connie Britton, Bill Camp, Dan Stevens, Angela Bassett, Matthew Modine, Clark Gregg, Gaby Hoffmann, Mark Ivanir and Mozhan Navabi.
Now, a total of nine initial images of Day Zero were revealed through Vanity Fair. The images reveal the first look at Robert De Niro as former US President George Mullen, among other characters including Angela Bassett as sitting President Mitchell. Check out the image slideshow below:
What Day Zero Footage Means for the Series
Its characters are inspired by contemporary political figures
The first images of Day Zero reveal how Netflix’s upcoming series is a timely political thriller inspired by the conspiracy theories, cybersecurity challenges, and cynical power dynamics dominating today’s headlines. Day Zero is a direct reflection of contemporary American politics. De Niro’s character, former President Mullen, is tasked with heading a Patriot Act-like commission in response to a cyberattack amid pressure to scapegoat Russia. Meanwhile, Mullen is beginning to show signs of cognitive decline, reminiscent of the intense debate over President Joe Biden’s fitness for re-election before he withdrew from the race.
The first images reveal several other characters in Day Zero that make comparisons with real-world numbers. Mullen’s daughter, Alexandra (Lizzy Caplan), is a progressive congresswoman whose outspokenness and Instagram presence position her as a rising star reminiscent of Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, not to mention they share the same name. Mullen’s main antagonist, Evan Green (Dan Stevens), is a provocative commentator seemingly inspired by figures like Tucker Carlson and Ben Shapiro. Meanwhile, Angela Bassett plays acting President Mitchell after the United States squandered the opportunity to elect Kamala Harris as its first female president.
Our opinion on day zero images
As revealed by the first images, Day Zero features an extraordinary cast led by two-time Oscar winner Robert De Niro in his first major role in a television series. In addition to the previously mentioned actors, Oscar nominee Jesse Plemons stars as Mullen’s dubious right-hand man, Roger Carlson, while five-time Emmy nominee Connie Britton plays a shrewd political strategist, Valerie Whitesell, who has a personal history with Mullen. Three-time Oscar nominee Joan Allen plays the pivotal role of Sheila Mullen, the former first lady and Mullen’s wife, in Day Zero.
Source: Vanity Fair