Hostage on Netflix: Plot, episodes, and start date of new thriller starring Suranne Jones as UK Prime Minster
By Helen Fear | Fri May 02 2025Hostage is a brand new political thriller on Netflix starring TV favourite Suranne Jones as the UK Prime Minister - now THAT is someone who would definitely get our vote…
This seriously tasty new TV drama - which was previously entitled The Choice - is coming soon to our screens. And it looks absolutely cracking. By that, we mean much more fun than the state of British politics right now. Although that's not saying much.
If you like TV series such as Black Doves, Slow Horses, and Jed Mecurio's Bodyguard, then this is one for you. Here's everything you need to know about Hostage on Netflx, including plot, cast, episodes, location, and start date.
What's the plot of Hostage on Netflix?
Hostages on Netflix introduces Suranne Jones as the recently-elected UK prime minister Abigail Dalton.
The political thriller, from Bridge of Spies and Treason writer Matt Charman, focuses on an international summit welcoming the UK PM and Vivienne Toussaint, the first female French president campaigning for re-election.
However, the summit goes seriously wrong when Dalton's husband is kidnapped, and Toussaint is blackmailed. The two political leaders subsequently face an unimaginable choice.
A synopsis tells us: "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?"
How many episodes is it?
The new Netflix thriller will be a five-part series.
Each episode is expected to be an hour long.
When's the start date? How can I watch it?
The bad news is that we have to wait a few months to watch Hostage. Netflix has confirmed that the new series will drop in August 2025.
However, the good news is that, like all Netflix series, all episodes will drop on the same day. So you can binge the series in one afternoon or evening.
Who's in the cast of Hostage on Netflix?
Suranne Jones, one of the UK's most bankable actresses, plays recently-elected UK prime minister Abigail Dalton. She must fight for office thanks to a healthcare crisis.
Of course, Suranne is best known for her leading roles in Doctor Foster, Vigil, Gentleman Jack, and Coronation Street. Suranne also acted as an executive producer on the new Netflix series.
French actress and two-time Oscar nominee Julie Delpy portrays Vivienne Toussaint, the first female French president campaigning for re-election.
Julie is famous for her roles in films such as Before Sunrise, Before Sunset, The Three Musketeers, An American Werewolf in Paris, and the acclaimed trilogy Three Colours: Blue, Three Colours: Red, and Three Colours: White.
On TV, she played Nicole in ER, Caroline Frankenstein in Frankenstein, and Justine in On the Verge.
The supporting cast for Hostage includes Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story star Corey Mylchreest. He'll play Toussaint's stepson Matheo Lewis.
Meanwhile, Gangs of London and Conclave actor Lucian Msamati will play Dalton's chief of staff Kofi Adomako. Top Boy star Ashley Thomas portrays as Dr Alex Anderson, Dalton's husband, and James Cosmo will play Dalton's father Max, whose health is ailing. Some of you might remember the actor from series 19 of Celebrity Big Brother. He finished in fourth place.
French musician and actress Jehnny Beth, who appeared in BAFTA-winning Anatomy of a Fall, will play Toussaint's chief of staff Adrienne Pelletier.
Where was it filmed?
Cast of crew of Hostage began filming in the spring of 2024 in the Canary Islands.
Filming locations include the island of La Palma on the Canary Islands, and UK destinations such as London.
After filming ended in June 2024, Suranne took to Instagram to write: "My picture wrap on Netflix series Hostage. What a beautiful bunch of people… And now over to you to see if you like it next year! Thank you to all involved."
