Netflix's new political thriller Hostage has immediately captured audiences after all five episodes dropped today. Suranne Jones stars as British Prime Minister Abigail Dalton in the high-stakes drama that's already generating buzz on social media.
The series presents a nightmare scenario for any political leader. PM Dalton's husband Alex (Bashy) is kidnapped whilst working with Doctors Without Borders in French Guiana, with the masked captors demanding her resignation within 24 hours or they'll start killing hostages.
Political crisis meets personal drama
The timing couldn't be worse for Dalton, as French President Vivienne Toussaint visits London for tense negotiations over Channel boat crossings and NHS medication supplies. Julie Delpy plays the French leader who's drifting towards the far right and using the British visit for political point scoring.
The crisis escalates when it emerges that the kidnappers are also blackmailing President Toussaint with incriminating material. Both female leaders find themselves trapped in an increasingly complex web of political and personal threats.
Unique female-led approach
Jones emphasised the show's distinctive angle compared to previous political thrillers like Bodyguard and 24. "The difference is, there are two female leads and that is the beauty of it," she said. "It's unusual to delve over five episodes into two women, so I think that's our USP."
Her co-star Delpy added: "Usually there's one woman and all men around managing her. Here it's like women managing everything else." The cast also features Queen Charlotte's Corey Mylchreest as President Toussaint's stepson.
Immediate fan reaction
Subscribers are already sharing their enthusiasm on social media platforms. One viewer wrote: "Just watched the pilot episode of #hostage and I'm hooked already," whilst another declared they were "devouring Hostage."
A third fan gushed: "Combining British acting royalty with French acting royalty = brilliant TV! Hostage is the political thriller I didn't know I needed! I give it a thousand thumbs up! The only negative thing about it - it's only 5eps! I want more of PM Abigail Dalton!"
Sources used: "Metro" Note: This article has been edited with the help of Artificial Intelligence.
