Prime Minister Abigail Dalton (Suranne Jones) is a powerful woman, one who won’t let the world see her feathers ruffled, even when faced with the harsh reality of a kidnapped husband. She’s also got French President Vivienne Toussaint (Julie Delpy) to deal with, and Vivienne is a right-wing fringe politician hungry for reelection.
HOSTAGE
What’s it rated? TV-MA
When? 2025
Where’s it showing? Netflix
As medication shortages and border policies ping the world’s attention, the two politicians face separate but equally dire personal quandaries. Things get intricately messy, complicated, and dismal for both. While audience focus stays on Dalton’s dilemma, filmmakers are smart to give us a B story with Toussaint to also follow. It makes it all the juicier.
These two actresses know how to play off each other, and the pairing of characters who are unfriendly but thrust together gives this series some grit and propulsion. A lot of time is spent watching Abigail say no to the demands of the kidnappers, then everyone freaks out, then Abigail reveals an elaborate trick that helps to move both the hostage negotiation and the plot of the show onward.
Anyone who enjoys a good political thriller is sure to get a fix with Hostage. The storyline and acting are compelling. This is an effortless binge. (five approximately 38- to 46-min. episodes) ∆
This article appears in Student Guide 2025.