Netflix's new series 'Hostage' delivers five hours of fast, furious fun, with Suranne Jones starring as Prime Minister Abigail Dalton. The show opens with Dalton on a romantic walk with her husband, a doctor with Doctors Without Borders, who convinces her to run for office. Soon, she is PM facing a cancer drug supply crisis and a meeting with the French president, played by Julie Delpy. Then news arrives that her husband and his team have been abducted by terrorists in French Guiana.
The plot thickens as Dalton tries to negotiate with Delpy's icy President Vivienne Toussaint, who demands the UK take in Ebola-ravaged refugees in exchange for life-saving medicine. The terrorists demand Dalton's resignation by 1pm the next day. The series also features Ashley Thomas as the kidnapped husband, and a strong supporting cast including Lucian Msamati, James Cosmo, and Jehnny Beth.
'Hostage' avoids streamer bloat with its tight five-episode run. It offers a propulsive, globetrotting yarn with twists, red herrings, and political intrigue. The show refreshingly portrays two female leaders as characters rather than symbols, with Jones and Delpy delivering compelling performances. The series explores themes of sacrifice, the greater good, and the pressures of leadership.
Overall, 'Hostage' is a rollicking, compulsive thriller that keeps viewers engaged. While it occasionally leans on clichés like Dalton kicking off her heels, it remains a gripping watch with strong performances and a well-spent budget.
