De Niro stars in new TV series

At 82 years old, Robert De Niro has taken on a new challenge by starring in a television series. The two-time Oscar-winning actor, known for iconic films like Taxi Driver and The Godfather, played the leading role in Zero Day, a six-episode mini-series that launched on Netflix in February 2025.

Zero Day gains popularity on Netflix

Launched on February 20, 2025, Zero Day quickly climbed to the top of Netflix's most-watched programs, particularly in France and 42 other countries. According to Netflix data, the series recorded 61 million views between January and June 2025, ranking fourth among the most-watched series on the platform during the first half of the year.

Plot centers on a cyberattack

In Zero Day, an unprecedented cyberattack plunges the United States into chaos. The country's power grids, computer systems, and communications are paralyzed, causing deadly accidents. President Evelyn Mitchell (Angela Bassett) turns to George Mullen (Robert De Niro), a former head of state, to lead an investigation into the attack.

Strong supporting cast and creators

The series was created by Eric Newman, Noah Oppenheim, and Michael Schmidt. It features an exceptional cast including Jesse Plemons, Lizzy Caplan, Connie Britton, Joan Allen, and Dan Stevens. De Niro also invested as an executive producer, a role that co-creator Eric Newman described as a perfect fit for the actor.

Behind the scenes challenges

For his first leading role on television, De Niro faced a grueling production. He compared the experience to swimming across the English Channel, describing the process as demanding and requiring constant effort. "I look back, I no longer see France. I look ahead, England is still far away. I have to keep going, otherwise I sink," he told The Guardian.

Success and critical reception

Zero Day has enjoyed immense success on Netflix, with 73.5 million views and 378.4 million hours watched. On AlloCiné, it has a rating of 3.5 out of 5 from viewers. The six-episode series, each about an hour long, offers a complete story and is ideal for fans of suspense who prefer a single, self-contained series. The episodes are available on Netflix.