Netflix Just Dropped ‘Hostage’ — And It’s Already Exploding Into The Most Ruthless Political Chaos Of The Year, Making It The Perfect ‘Diplomat’ Replacement
Suranne Jones and Julie Delpy clash in a miniseries dripping with betrayal, secret agendas, and power games that could topple governments.
Every episode tightens the noose, every deal comes with a deadly price, and no one — not even allies — can be trusted.

If you had to choose between your family or your job, which would you pick? Would the answer remain the same if you’d pledged an oath to serve a country where millions of lives could be at stake based on your decision? This impossible dilemma is at the center of Hostage, a gripping Netflix limited series that follows a prime minister (played by Suranne Jones) who is torn between renouncing her post and saving her husband from the rebels who kidnapped him. With England on the verge of a medical crisis and several people joining forces to take her down, it’s lot of pressure, and, as to be expected from a political leader, there is no room to make mistakes. It is through this premise that the series weaves a thrilling turn of events that dive into the challenges of governing a nation while still being human, and wanting to do whatever it takes to ensure that your loved ones are safe and sound.

What Is ‘Hostage’ About?

At the beginning of Hostage, viewers catch a glimpse of the calm before the storm. Abigail Dalton (Jones) is on a casual walk in the woods with her husband, and the two discuss how their lives are bound to change if she’s elected as prime minister. There is a sense of optimism in the way they speak about her ascension to power, with Alex (Ashley Thomas) reassuring his wife that she wants the role for the right reasons. As the head of state, she can save and protect the rights of many. Yet, in the same way that being a leader allows you to do good, it also places you in situations where you must pick the lesser of two evils — and suffer the consequences for it.

Once Abigail has eased into her post, reality sets in. A shortage of medical supplies is leading several British civilians to die upon her watch, and, to make matters worse, she receives the unsettling news that Alex, along with other doctors who work with him as part of the Médecins Sans Frontières program, is being held hostage. Her only hope lies in the help of French President Vivienne Toussaint (Julie Delpy), who is in England with the sole purpose of protecting the interests of her own country. As the stakes become higher and higher, Abigail and Vivienne learn that, despite taking on the most powerful occupations there are, there is nothing that prevents them from being pawns in a grander scheme.

Suranne Jones and Julie Delpy Lead a Stellar Ensemble in ‘Hostage’

Although the series’ complex storyline is enough to make it captivating minutes into Episode 1, it is the cast that elevates Hostage‘s final product. Suranne Jones and Julie Delpy are particularly excellent as the British prime minister and the French president who both have a lot to lose when one man is taken into captivity. Their characters struggle to find common ground when they first meet, but as the series goes on, their animosity makes way for an alliance that is satisfying to witness, especially given that they are much more similar than they would care to admit. Both of them entered their respective posts with noble intentions, but the pressure they are under to meet everyone’s expectations leads them to become ruthless and calculated. Every interaction they have in the public eye is carefully measured so as not to raise reporters’ suspicions and to maintain appearances. With Alex and others held hostage by a group of rebels on French soil who are willing to do whatever it takes to ruin Abigail and Vivienne’s reputation, the characters’ only way out of this enigma is to trust each other.

In addition to Jones and Delpy’s winning onscreen partnership, Hostage‘s supporting cast is nothing short of entrancing. Ashley Thomas effectively conveys Alex’s fear of his life and the calmness he exudes when his wife and daughter (played by Isobel Akuwudike) are in need of emotional support. Queen Charlotte alum Corey Mylchreest is a pleasant addition to the cast, playing a character far from the charming love interest we’re used to seeing him embody. Lucian Msamati — who stars as a member of the prime minister’s government — delivers a quiet but purposeful supporting performance, becoming Abigail’s most dependable friend.

‘Hostage’s Twists and Turns Keep the Pacing Tight and Exhilarating

Although political thrillers are hard to execute without missing a beat, Hostage is able to maintain its pacing throughout, with shocking twists at every turn. Abigail must come up with a solution to the country’s political unrest while she’s facing a particularly trying circumstance in her personal life. There are a lot of moving pieces for her to consider, including the possibility of her daughter hating her for prioritizing her job over rescuing her husband the “easy way.” Additionally, Vivienne is being blackmailed by the same rebels who kidnapped Alex, making her ponder whether to help Abigail and lose her untarnished reputation or shut down any chances at having mercy on the British hostages. Viewers are left at the edge of their seats, wondering what Abigail and Vivienne will do to get out of their respective tightropes, and are further engaged when the loyalty of those closest to the main characters is put into question.

Limiting the series’ length to five episodes allows for the plot at hand to be concise. The action sequences depicted here are so well-orchestrated that they transport viewers to the unsettling events featured in the Netflix thriller. The violent protests and growing anxiety that most of the characters experience are viscerally felt, and that is why Hostage serves as a prime example of cohesive storytelling without allowing the audience to catch a breath. This is one of those TV shows that is made for a binge-watch, because although questions arise in every episode, the writers leave just the right number of revelations to keep you invested from start to finish. If you’ve been on the lookout for another compelling series that resembles The Diplomat or Anatomy of a Scandal, Hostage is a fitting replacement.