Zero Day: Release date, cast, plot, runtime, and more about Robert De Niro's first TV lead

The first starring role that Robert De Niro will be assuming in a television series is not a tiny one. Zero Day was written and directed by Noah Oppenheim and Eric Newman and will premiere on Netflix on February 20. As he spearheads the investigation into a nationwide cyberattack while struggling with his own personal issues, the upcoming exciting and horrifying limited series follows a cherished and revered former president of the United States (De Niro). Despite this, the veteran actor told Netflix that right now, the actual world is scarier.

Plot of Zero Day

Zero Day is about what happens after a catastrophic cyberattack kills thousands of people and threatens to bring a nation that was already on the brink of disaster to a complete breakdown, according to what Newman told Netflix. The show also examines the human and familial costs of authority for individuals called to take on these significant issues, as Oppenheim put it.

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De Niro is involved with the show on multiple fronts, both as an actor and producer. Newman added that it's a tremendous honor and privilege; De Niro became their partner in this process—very hands-on, very involved, and reading everything at every stage. When it comes to talent, heritage, and gravity, there has never been an actor or actress in history like this.

The limited series follows revered ex-president George Mullen (De Niro) as he leads the Zero Day Commission in its mission to uncover the culprits behind a catastrophic cyberattack that wreaked havoc and claimed the lives of thousands of Americans. There is a lot of misinformation spreading, and powerful people in the tech, Wall Street, and government sectors are all out for themselves. Mullen risks everything he values in his relentless pursuit of truth, which compels him to face his own sinister secrets.

The central dilemma posed by Zero Day is universal: how can we, in a world that appears to be in crisis and being torn apart by forces beyond our control, discover the truth? In a time where deceit and conspiracy theories abound, how many of these factors are really external to us?

Mullen's leadership style

De Niro respects Mullen's guiding principle of telling it like it is. This forms the foundation of his character on the show; he asserts that they simply follow instructions. Leave the games alone and provide the public with the truth about what's happening.

Absolute nationwide terror sweeps the nation when it experiences massive technological failures. Will Mullen, who was president under De Niro, be able to uncover the perpetrators of the attack in time to prevent it from happening again?

In the role of Mullen, we will see a complex and immensely popular ex-president of the United States who has come out of retirement to lead the Zero Day Commission, a unique team of specialists charged with examining a catastrophic attack on the internet.

U.S. President Evelyn Mitchell, played by Angela Bassett, is now in office. Mullen is recruited by Mitchell, a political strategist known for his intelligence and insight, to undertake a unique role in American history.

Jesse Plemons, portraying Roger Carlson, previously served as an adviser to George Mullen. Now that he's become a reliable fixer and an open hustler, Roger is looking to go back on the national scene with Mullen. Lizzy Caplan plays the role of Alexandra Mullen, a young New York congresswoman who has fought hard to carve out a place for herself independent of her powerful father.

Connie Britton portrays Valerie Whitesell, a brilliant political operative and former chief of staff of Mullen who steps back into the limelight to manage Mullen's new position. Joan Allen plays Sheila Mullen, the former first lady and federal judge nominee. Beautiful and composed at all times, Sheila is a doting mother and wife who also has lofty career goals—and she isn't a fool.

The self-assured and eccentric public personality Matthew Modine portrays Richard Dreyer. He is a master politician in his role as house speaker. Director of the Central Intelligence Agency Jeremy Lasch—played by Bill Camp—seems to know everyone's secret. He possesses the potential to either be Mullen and his friends' most powerful ally or their greatest adversary.

The brilliant, cunning, and contentious political TV show host Evan Green—portrayed by Dan Stevens—becomes a public scourge for George Mullen as his most vocal critic and enemy. The Zero Day Commission's chief investigator, Carl Otieno—played by the resolute and exceptionally intelligent McKinley Belcher III—is an attorney with the Department of Justice.

Gaby Hoffmann plays Monica Kidder, a contentious tech magnate from Silicon Valley whose dominance in technology and innovative ideas could aid or obstruct Mullen's probe. A millionaire with a dark art for political manipulation, Robert Lyndon (Clark Gregg) is a business raider and a provocateur. In the past, when trust and intelligence were more valuable, Mark Ivanir played the role of Natan, a Mullen confidant and intelligence operative.

Robert De Niro's significance to the show

No actor holds a greater significance for Newman than De Niro, as he has a long-standing passion for American films. They could never have imagined having him as both a star and a producer on this series. He is thrilled to be working with the incredible creative team of Noah, Lesli, and Jonathan on this timely and horrifying series, and he is thankful to Netflix for their ongoing faith and support.

Oppenheim initially drew inspiration for Zero Day from the stories that kept him awake at night and from co-creator and Pulitzer Prize–winning journalist Schmidt. Oppenheim used the term "ripped-from-reality thriller" to describe the show.

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