There’s no peace for those in power – especially when the danger hits home. Netflix’s new limited series Hostage (2025), created by Matt Charman (Bridge of Spies), drops viewers into a fast-paced political thriller where the private becomes fatally public.
Led by Suranne Jones and Julie Delpy, the five-episode series explores how far leaders will go when family, ambition, and international diplomacy collide. With its taut pacing and intimate emotional stakes, Hostage finds suspense not in bombs or battles, but in the rooms where decisions break nations — and hearts. Here is everything you need to know about Hostage — from the plot and cast to reviews, filming locations, and where to stream it. The trailer is at the bottom of the article.
All the key details about Hostage
- Title: Hostage
- Format: Miniseries
- Runtime: 1 season, 5 episodes (approx. 38–46 minutes each)
- Genre: Political thriller / Drama
- Country of production: United Kingdom
- Year of release: 2025
- Creator: Matt Charman
- Directors: Isabelle Sieb, Amy Neil
- Main cast: Suranne Jones, Julie Delpy, Ashley Thomas, Lucian Msamati
- Produced by: Teammakers Productions & Binocular Productions for Netflix
What happens in Hostage?
When newly elected British Prime Minister Abigail Dalton (Suranne Jones) learns that her husband has been kidnapped on a humanitarian mission abroad, the crisis is both political and deeply personal. The abductors’ demands threaten not only her family but also her entire government.
Meanwhile, Vivienne Toussaint (Julie Delpy), the French President visiting London for a bilateral summit, is herself ensnared in a separate blackmail plot. As the two women’s fates intertwine, diplomacy becomes a deadly game — and every decision carries global consequences.
Hostage mixes intimate emotion with high-stakes tension, capturing how modern leadership lives under siege in both the press and the public eye.
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Who’s in the cast of Hostage?
Suranne Jones, known for Doctor Foster and Gentleman Jack, commands the screen as Prime Minister Dalton, balancing resilience and fear as her world unravels. Julie Delpy (Before Sunrise, Two Days in Paris) plays French President Vivienne Toussaint — charming, calculating, and under her own pressures.
They’re joined by Ashley Thomas (The Ipcress File) as Dalton’s kidnapped husband, and Lucian Msamati (Game of Thrones) as her national security advisor. Together, they anchor a story that refuses to separate power from vulnerability.
Is Hostage based on a true story?
No – Hostage is an original story by creator Matt Charman, though its themes echo contemporary politics. The series imagines a fictional crisis between the UK and France, yet its portrayal of gender, power, and perception feels ripped from today’s headlines.
Charman, who co-wrote Steven Spielberg’s Bridge of Spies, brings a similarly layered approach here: a thriller rooted in negotiation, moral compromise, and the quiet terror of responsibility.
What are the reviews on Hostage?
Critics have described Hostage as “a gripping and timely portrait of leadership under fire.” Suranne Jones and Julie Delpy’s performances draw consistent praise — both playing women who must appear unbreakable while facing private ruin.
On Rotten Tomatoes, the series has been reported above the 80% mark, with reviewers calling it “urgent, tightly written, and refreshingly female-driven.” Some noted its familiar tropes, but many agreed that Charman’s sharp writing and the chemistry between the leads lift it above standard political thrillers.
Where was Hostage filmed?
The show was primarily filmed in the United Kingdom, with additional scenes shot in La Palma (Canary Islands) standing in for French Guiana. The combination of London interiors and tropical exteriors mirrors the dual settings of political power and personal crisis.
Hostage: Behind the scenes and fun facts
Creator Matt Charman conceived Hostage with an eye on how private lives complicate public duty. Directors Isabelle Sieb and Amy Neil favour a cool, glass-and-reflection aesthetic that suggests surveillance and duplicity.
Suranne Jones reportedly consulted former female ministers to capture the tempo of political life, while Julie Delpy brought a dry French wit to Toussaint’s dialogue. The title also plays as metaphor: in politics, everyone is captive to ambition, image, or love.
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What’s Hostage like?
If you enjoyed Bodyguard, The Diplomat, or Anatomy of a Scandal, this is the right series for you — blending political tension with emotional intensity.
When is Hostage coming out on streaming?
Available now. Hostage is already streaming on Netflix. Release date: August 21, 2025. Watch on Netflix.
Watch the trailer
In the meantime, here’s the trailer.
