Hostage: What To Know Before You Tune In To Netflix’s New Thriller

1 week ago

Suranne Jones's very first Netflix series is streaming now

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One of the British television’s most familiar faces has swapped the BBC for streaming giant Netflix – and she’s ‘thrilled’. Working on a Netflix original series has ‘been something I’ve wanted to do for a long time,’ Suranne Jones says, having previously starred in Scott & Bailey, Doctor Foster and Gentlemen Jack, though she is perhaps best known for Vigil opposite Rose Leslie. And now she can be seen in Hostage, a new five-part political thriller written by Matt Charman who wrote Bridge of Spies (2015).

‘We’d talked about projects previously, but for me it was about finding the right thing,’ Suranne says. ‘Hostage was perfect – me and Matt together backed up by this brilliant, supportive team. I loved it.’ Streaming now on Netflix, here’s what to expect from Hostage.

Netflix’s Hostage: Plot, Cast, Release Date & More

Suranne Jones as Abigail & Julie Delpy as Vivienne in Hostage

Previously titled The Choice, Hostage centres on two world leaders at an international summit: French president Vivienne Toussaint (Julie Delpy), who is the nation’s first female president and is campaigning for re-election, though her policy decisions regarding border control have proved controversial; and recently elected British prime minister Abigail Dalton (Jones) whose popularity is being threatened by a healthcare crisis.

The stakes are already high – but that ‘choice’ comes in when Abigail’s husband is kidnapped, and Vivienne is blackmailed. Across five episodes, both must face an unimaginable dilemma. The two leaders are forced into a fierce rivalry, with not just their careers hanging in the balance, but their lives, too. But can they work together to uncover the plot threatening them both?

Ashley Thomas as Dr. Alex (Center) in Hostage

Spanning the UK and La Palma in the Canary Islands, Hostage was filmed in March 2024, so it’s been a long journey bringing it to audiences. For series creator and writer Charman, however, finding the right role for Jones has been an even longer journey. He says he has ‘been dying to find the right story to tell with Suranne’.

But: ‘I honestly believe what she’s done with this character is going to blow the Netflix audience away,’ Charman adds. ‘An embattled British PM in the middle of a fight for her country and her family – she’s fierce, ruthless and you can’t take your eyes off of her.’

Directed by Isabelle Sieb and Amy Neil, watch the trailer below for a taste of the action.

The Cast

While Jones and Delpy lead the series, they are backed up by an all-star cast spanning Queen Charlotte to Game of Thrones. Opposite Jones are husband Alex (Ashley Thomas) and daughter Abigail (Isobel Akuwudike). Meanwhile you might recognise French-American star Delpy from Richard Linklater’s Before trilogy, or more recently The Lesson (2023) opposite Richard E Grant and Daryl McCormack.

Corey Mylchreest stars in Hostage as Matheo, being best known for his pecorformance as George III in Netflix’s Bridgerton spin off Queen Charlotte. Meanwhile Lucian Msamati – who rose to fame on Game of Thrones but has most recently been seen in Gangs of London and Conclave – stars as Kofi Adomako.

The full cast list: