Sometimes, if you want something done right, you just have to do it yourself, which is exactly whatRobert De Nirois doing in his newNetflixthriller series,Zero Day. De Niro starsin the six-episode series as a former U.S. Presidentwho is charged with unraveling the mystery behind a cyberattack that has caused catastrophic damage across the country. It’s a role that seems fitting for De Niro in this day and age, considering how outspoken he’s beenabout his disdain for President-elect Donald Trump.
Also starring the likes of Angela Bassett, Lizzy Caplan, Jesse Plemons, Joan Allen, Connie Britton, Dan Stevens, and Matthew Modine,Zero Daywas co-created by Eric Newman, Noah Oppenheim, and Michael S. Schmidt, and marksthe first regular appearance by De Niro on the small screenin his illustrious career. Check out the full synopsis for the series below, which makes it sound like it’s going to be one heck of a tense ride.
“Respected former U.S. President George Mullen (De Niro), who, as head of the Zero Day Commission, is charged with finding the perpetrators of a devastating cyber attack that has caused chaos around the country and thousands of fatalities. As disinformation runs rampant and the personal ambition of power brokers in technology, Wall Street, and government collide, Mullen’s unwavering search for the truth forces him to confront his own dark secrets while risking all he holds dear.”
Netflix also dropped a bunch of first-look photos forZero Day, which you can check out below.
How ‘Zero Day’ Mirrors the Current Political Landscape
ThoughZero Daywas in the can long before Trump’s reelection earlier this month, the series mirrorsthe current political landscapein many ways. Bassett is in the role of the sitting president,which seems to be a clear nod to Kamala Harris. Stevens takes on the role of De Niro’s adversary in the show, portraying Evan Green, who was inspired by political commentators like Tucker Carlson. Then we have Caplan portraying his daughter, Alexandra, who serves as a member of congress who uses social media to her advantage. AOC, anyone?
“We did not expect Biden’s cognitive issues to become a campaign issue. We did not expect a Black woman to become the candidate,” Newman toldVanity Fairrecently. “If anything, in my mind,[President Mitchell] was more based on Michelle Obama or something.”
Robert De Niro’s Early Anti-War Comedy Is Still His Most Underrated Work
Tackling difficult issues like racism, domestic terrorism, and the effects of war, this early Robert De Niro film remains his most underrated.
It seems to be one of those cases where art mirrors life, but for De Niro, he said that he did his best to play Mullenas an “honorable person.“When it comes to the hectic schedule of TV, though, he admits that shootingZero Dayover the course of 100 days took some getting used to.
“The bottom line is that he’s an honorable person who tries to do the right thing. There are ups and downs, personal this and that, his age and whether he’s fit—and that had nothing to do with what happened with Biden. It’s a long commitment—like three features at once.”
De Niro will star next in the biographical crime dramaAlto Knights, which is set to be released on Aug 03, 2025. Following that, he’ll appear inTin Soldier, another action thriller for which a release date has yet to be announced. Look for all six episodes ofZero Dayto hit Netflix on Feb. 20.
