Robert De Niro Talks ‘Zero Day’ and Nonpartisan Agenda for His Netflix President

by

In discussions about their latest Netflix miniseries, the makers of Zero Day have frequently been asked this query: What was the approach taken to persuade Robert De Niro for television work?

If you ask De Niro, it’s a simple answer.

In a video interview with co-creator Eric Newman for The Hollywood Reporter, he said that there was no hesitation on his part regarding his initial small screen role (as previously mentioned). Not only did De Niro accept the lead role, but he also took up an executive producer position. When they first conversed and Newman presented the episodes one by one, each one was of high quality. De Niro commented that they were “good” and “smart.” He found it reassuring that those writing the script, including Newman, Mike Schmidt, and Noah Oppenheim, all seemed to know what they were doing, which made him confident about the project.

In the political thriller “Zero Day,” currently available to stream all six episodes, Robert De Niro portrays former President George Mullen, a leader known for his ability to collaborate with those from opposing parties. Following a catastrophic cyber-attack, termed a ‘zero day event’ – an incident exploiting unidentified system weaknesses – President Mullen is tasked with heading the Zero Day Commission, a special investigative body, to find out who and why it occurred, and prevent such occurrences in the future. During this incident, the “Zero Day” attack brought down numerous systems for an entire minute, leading to widespread destruction and over 3,000 fatalities.

As a gamer, I’d say, “I got hooked on ‘Zero Day’ because it was brought to life by Eric Newman, known for his work on ‘Griselda’, ‘Narcos’, and ‘Narcos: Mexico’; Noah Oppenheim, former head of NBC News; and Michael S. Schmidt, a Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist from the ‘New York Times’. The fact that it was primarily filmed in New York, where De Niro lives, made it even more intriguing. All six episodes were skillfully directed by Leslie Linka Glatter, who has worked on shows like ‘Homeland’ and ‘Mad Men’.

As a dedicated fan, I can’t help but share my excitement when I heard that Robert De Niro was chosen to play President Mullen in the series. According to THR’s interview with the creators, Newman and Oppenheim, they needed an actor of De Niro’s caliber for this role. As they explained, President Mullen is a figure who the country turns to following a catastrophic attack, providing reassurance and comfort in a time of fear and uncertainty. It was crucial to have an actor who could embody that dignity, calmness, and confidence immediately. Fortunately, De Niro grasped it instinctively. He not only understood what we, the creators, were aiming for but also the themes and messages the show aims to convey.

The co-creators and De Niro state that Mullen, like the other characters, wasn’t modeled after any specific political figure. De Niro reinforces this when discussing his method. He explains, “I didn’t draw from anyone in particular, although there might have been people.” Known for expressing his opinions about Donald Trump in the past, De Niro has avoided mentioning him while discussing Zero Day. Instead, he shares that he was inspired by his personal feelings towards such matters. He felt it was essential for both characters to display honesty and integrity, regardless of their political beliefs, to achieve anything. “I simply aimed for an authenticity between people to get things done… to do the right thing.

In the midst of nationwide turmoil, misinformation, and a deeply polarized nation, Robert De Niro’s character Mullen embarks on an investigation. As he delves deeper, he uncovers a vast conspiracy involving influential figures from technology, finance, and government sectors. Eventually, he finds himself in a dire situation where he must make a decision that seems impossible. Despite these accusations questioning his cognitive abilities, Mullen secretly grapples with adjusting to his new circumstances. Joan Allen portrays his wife, while Lizzy Caplan takes on the role of his daughter. The ensemble cast also includes Angela Bassett, Jesse Plemons, Matthew Modine, Connie Britton, Dan Stevens, Bill Camp, and Gaby Hoffmann, who play various political, media, and tech personalities interacting with Mullen.

This TV show was initially planned in November 2021 and finally finished filming (following a postponement due to WGA and SAG-AFTRA strikes) in June 2024. This happened before former President Joe Biden decided not to run for reelection, instead choosing to endorse Vice President Kamala Harris – an event that the show seems to have predicted in its plotline. One of several such foreshadowing moments is present within the series.

The series “Zero Day” deliberately avoids associating its characters or Mullen with any political party, to maintain focus on the main themes and entertainment factor. Producer Oppenheim explains, “We’re not aiming to make a politically charged statement with this show.” Instead, the goal was to create an engaging whodunnit and suspenseful thriller that captivates audiences for six episodes. Labeling characters based on political affiliation would detract from this complexity and simplicity.

In their discussion, De Niro and Newman address responsibility and truthfulness in an age where truth is questionable. As audiences watch and reflect upon “Zero Day” released in February 2025, De Niro shares his thoughts on whether there’s a chance for unity amid the nation’s deep political rift.

Certainly, I’m optimistic. What I wish for more than anything else, he admits, is a shared desire among people. However, I can’t fathom why some wouldn’t feel the same way. To me, it’s incomprehensible because progress and accomplishments are only possible with this mindset. It’s the natural course of things. We may have disagreements, we might even be frustrated with one another, but ultimately, we find a resolution or else our nation stands still and the people bear the brunt of it.

Zero Day is currently streaming all episodes on Netflix.

Read More

2025-02-23 19:24