Suranne Jones to Lead Netflix's 'Hostage' This August
Suranne Jones in "Hostage"
(Photo: Netflix)
Netflix has been having quite a run when it comes to British programming of late --- and no, we don't just mean Bridgerton. From Black Doves and Dept. Q to Baby Reindeer, The Gentlemen and The Great British Baking Show franchise, the streamer is home to a surprising amount of Anglophile-friendly originals that go well beyond simply securing the rights to stream hits that have previously aired on other networks. Its latest effort, a political thriller called Hostage, is set to arrive this summer, featuring a pair of powerhouse women in its lead roles and a high-stakes, high-tension story.
Boasting some serious The Diplomat vibes, Hostage stars Suranne Jones (MaryLand) and Julie Delpy (Before Midnight) as a pair of powerful female world leaders. Jones plays the newly elected British Prime Minister Abigail Dalton, while Delpy is Vivienne Toussaint, the first elected female President of France. Their landmark diplomatic visit together goes badly awry when the British PM's husband is kidnapped and the French president herself is blackmailed, leaving both women will have to make difficult choices for themselves, their families, and their countries as the situation spirals out of control.
“I’ve been dying to find the right story to tell with Suranne, and I honestly believe what she’s done with this character is going to blow the Netflix audience away," creator Matt Charman (Bridge of Spies) told Netflix's Tudum. "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.”
The series is set to premiere on Netflix this August, adding a jolt of international tension to a month that's not traditionally known for its wide array of new content.
Suranne Jones and Julie Delpy in "Hostage"
(Photo: Netflix)
Here's the series synopsis.
When the British prime minister’s husband is kidnapped and the visiting French president is blackmailed, the two political leaders both face unimaginable choices. Forced into a fierce rivalry where their political futures, and lives, might hang in the balance, can they work together to uncover the plot that threatens them both?
Alongside Jones and Delpy, the series also stars Corey Mylchreest (Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story) as Matheo Lewis, Lucian Msamati (Gangs of London) as Kofi Adomako, James Cosmo (Game of Thrones) as Max Dalton, Hiftu Quasem (The Witcher) as Ayesha, Jim Sturgeon (Mary & George), Isobel Akuwudike (The Road Trip), Ashley Thomas (The Serpent Queen) as Dr. Alex Anderson, and Jehnny Beth (Anatomy of a Fall).
Other cast members include Mark Lewis Jones (The Red King), Martin McCann (Blue Lights), Sophie Robertson (Miss Scarlet), Paul Thornley (Call the Midwife), Zubin Varia (Andor), Amita Suman (Shadow and Bone), Vincent Perez (Shantaram), Flora Montgomery (Showtrial), and Gerald Kyd (The Split).
Ashley Thomas in "Hostage"
(Photo: Netflix)
The five-part series is created and written by Charman, with Isabelle Sieb (The Devil’s Hour) and Amy Neil (The Control Room) splitting directing duties.
“I’m thrilled to be on Netflix, in something I’m really proud of,” Jones, who is also an executive producer, said. “It’s been something I’ve wanted to do for a long time. We’d talked about projects previously, but for me, it was about finding the right thing. Hostage was perfect — me and Matt together, backed up by this brilliant, supportive team. I loved it.”
Hostage is set to premiere on Netflix with all episodes on Thursday, August 21, 2025.
