Netflix’s latest five-part series, Hostage, aired today, August 21, 2025. The series, starring Suranne Jones and Julie Delpy, sets the stage for a gripping political thriller, with ‘British Prime Minister Abigail Dalton’ (Suranne Jones) squaring off with ‘French President Vivienne Toussaint’ (Julie Delpy) as London faces ripples of crises. The premise is incredibly pulpy as the two female leaders lock horns to juggle personal stakes and diplomatic interests on top of a high-profile kidnapping. Created by Matt Charman, the plot falters with predictability and clichéd arcs.
Plot overview
After praiseworthy responses in Treason and Bridge of Spies, Matt Charman has returned with Hostage, a political drama. The five-part series follows newly elected ‘British Prime Minister Abigail Dalton’ (Suranne Jones), who is juggling various political crises at home, including a controversy over cutting the defence budget and NHS failures. Her personal life collides with her role as the country’s leader when armed mercenaries kidnap her husband, ‘Alex’ (Ashley Thomas), in French Guiana. The kidnappers have only one demand: for ‘Abigail’ to resign from her position.
Meanwhile, ‘French President Vivienne Toussaint’ (Julie Delpy) becomes both an ally and an adversary for ‘Abigail’ as the two women attempt to balance international diplomacy and manage negotiations, all the while ensuring their own political survival. Adding to the intensity of the situation, both leaders have to constantly confront not just the kidnappers but also the men within their governments who undermine them at every turn.
Jones and Delpy carry the show
If we were to point out the real strength of Hostage, it’s the female leads, Suranne Jones and Julie Deply. Both actresses delivered stellar performances, from Jones’ portrayal of the gritty yet vulnerable ‘Abigail’, a leader torn between family and duties, to Deply’s elegant ‘Vivienne’, who oscillates between calculation and empathy. The electric energy of their scenes together is what gives the show a binge-worthy quality.
Aside from ‘Abigail’ and ‘Vivienne’, other characters lack a certain dimension to stick in the viewer’s mind. The characters of Abigail’s teenage daughter, Sylvie (Isobel Akuwudike), and ‘Matheo Lewis’ (Corey Mylchreest) are introduced but later sidelined. More importantly, ‘Alex’ (Ashley Thomas), who is supposed to be anchoring the story’s emotional dynamics, remains largely underwritten.
Other weak spots
Though binge-worthy, the plot remains the weakest spot of Hostage. Charman has relied heavily on generic clichés, from conspiracies and shady aides to dramatic meetings. While the show deals with some gripping themes like gender bias in leadership roles and nationalism, they again remain underexplored. Coming to the visual appeal, the series feels constrained with generic backdrops and a lack of atmosphere.
What about the binge factor?
All flaws aside, Hostage does have a binge-worthy appeal, thanks to stellar performances by the female leads who add intensity to the political drama. With a brisk pace and cliffhangers at the end of each episode, this can be a suitable pick for those looking for bingeable, quick thrillers. However, the lack of dimension makes the plot forgettable, with many layers left unexplored.
Final verdict
From a thriller perspective, Hostage feels like a safe play. While Suranne Jones and Julie Delpy elevate the material with strong performances, the overall plot, though binge-worthy, is shallow, predictable, and ultimately forgettable. Still, the story holds enough intrigue to make it a decent weekend watch.
If you have seen Hostage, let us know your views on it.
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