Robert De Niro, one of Hollywood's most acclaimed actors, is venturing onto the small screen with his first television series, Netflix's limited series Zero Day. Known for his formidable performances, this marks a significant moment in his six-decade-long career. Yet, even this veteran star isn't entirely convinced he would take on such television roles again. "I don't know. It's a lot of work. It's like doing three features back to back," De Niro remarked, illustrating the intense demands of the series.
De Niro portrays the character of a former US president, leading the fictional Zero Day Commission following a devastating cyberattack. This attack, depicted as causing chaos and claiming thousands of lives, is central to the series' narrative which delves deep not only operationally but also thematically—focusing on the concept of truth and disinformation within political discourse. Matthew Modine, who plays another politician, highlights the show’s timely relevance, stating, "It's not the question of if a cyberattack will happen... It's when." This sentiment reflects the pervasive anxiety many feel about the cyber vulnerabilities of nations today.
The preparation for De Niro's role was no small feat, requiring extensive study and memorization, he noted: "It was really a lot of work to learn all of it, and a lot of it was exposition, especially at certain parts. There wasn't much room for paraphrasing and stuff like adlibbing. But it was worth doing, you know?" De Niro’s authenticity and commitment to his character highlight the story’s serious themes.
Interestingly, Zero Day was filmed during the last US presidential election campaign, and the co-creators, Noah Oppenheim and Eric Newman, acknowledged how often they felt the lines between fiction and reality blurred on set. Oppenheim shared, "Every day we'd be on set, and whether it was election-related news or just some other event, we would see things happening... we had thought were fictional." This reflection speaks to the eerie alignment between scripted narratives and current events surrounding technology, governance, and public trust.
Despite the weighty undertones of the story, the series has not universally wowed audiences and critics alike. Currently, Zero Day holds a 54% critic score and slightly higher, at 56%, on audience ratings platforms. Yet, these metrics haven't stopped viewers from tuning in; the series has been among Netflix's most-watched shows, second only to the true crime docuseries about Gabby Petito. This viewer interest sparks discussions about the potential for future seasons, especially since even limited series historically have expanded beyond their initial scope if the audience reception is strong enough.
During interviews about the possibility of continuing the story, Oppenheim mentioned, "We all feel like we have told what is right now a complete story," but he hinted at the close relationships formed during filming, which could suggest future collaboration beyond this series. De Niro himself chimed in, reflecting on his character's development and the possibility: "Of course, there are many ways to go, and everything is moving so fast, but it’s not out of the question." Such sentiments leave fans wondering if there might be more to come.
Critics have been split on the show's merits. Although some commend the strong performances and topical explorations, others feel it fails to deliver the thrill expected from such high-profile political drama. Lucy, a TV critic, expressed her disappointment, stating, "Zero Day is not going to go... our best Netflix shows round-up," lamenting the show’s inability to live up to the hype provided by its star-studded cast and intriguing premise.
The performance of Zero Day raises questions about how Netflix will approach the future of the series. With significant star power at play, one might assume there's pressure to continue exploring the narrative, especially with the potential for De Niro's involvement to draw audience interest. Even if it doesn't garner rave reviews, as long as the viewership remains strong and the creators maintain their creative synergy, the show may yet surprise us with any future directions.
Fans of political thrillers may find Zero Day worth their time regardless of its mixed reviews. It stands as one of Netflix's bold attempts to engage with serious issues facing America today. Whether it will lead to solid conclusions or new beginnings remains to be seen, but for now, audiences will be keeping their eyes peeled for upcoming developments both within and beyond the show.