Zero Day (2025)

Zero Day (2025). An American political thriller television miniseries that premiered on Netflix in February 2025. Created by Eric Newman, Noah Oppenheim, and Michael Schmidt, the series explores themes of cybersecurity, political intrigue, and the challenges of discerning truth in a world dominated by disinformation.

Plot

The series follows former U.S. President George Mullen (Robert De Niro) as he investigates a catastrophic cyberattack that resulted in 3,400 fatalities from accidents and related incidents. Mullen, who left office after his first term and was known for his bipartisan appeal, is called out of retirement to lead the Zero Day Commission tasked with uncovering the truth behind the attack.

As Mullen delves deeper into the investigation, he faces numerous challenges, including:

• Rampant disinformation and conspiracy theories
• His own deteriorating mental state, marked by vivid hallucinations
• A complex web of political and corporate interests

The investigation ultimately reveals a shocking conspiracy involving high-ranking government officials, including members of Congress from both parties, as well as influential figures from the finance and technology sectors.

Cast

The series features an ensemble cast of acclaimed actors:

• Robert De Niro as George Mullen, former U.S. President
• Jesse Plemons as Roger Carlson
• Lizzy Caplan as Alexandra Mullen, George’s daughter and a member of Congress
• Angela Bassett as President Evelyn Mitchell
• Connie Britton as Valerie Whitesell
• Matthew Modine as Richard Dreyer, Speaker of the House
• Dan Stevens as Evan Green
• Gaby Hoffmann as Monica Kidder, a tech billionaire
• Clark Gregg as Robert Lyndon, a finance billionaire

Production and Reception

Zero Day marks Robert De Niro’s first major television role. The actor described the experience as “doing three features at once” due to the series’ complexity and scope.

The show’s creators aimed to create a contemporary update of 1970s-style political dramas, addressing current issues such as presidential abuse of power, cyber intrusions into the federal government, and the spread of misinformation.

Critics have noted the series’ timely themes and star-studded cast, though some have suggested that its high-concept plotting occasionally strains credibility.

Impact

Zero Day contributes to the growing trend of political thrillers in popular culture that explore cybersecurity threats and their potential real-world implications. The series has sparked discussions about the vulnerability of critical infrastructure to cyberattacks and the challenges of maintaining national security in the digital age.