Picture: Netflix
UK political thrillers have become somewhat of a forte for Netflix in recent years, and their newest upcoming offering will be Hostage (previously known as The Choice and, going back even further, In The Room), a new five-part limited series event set for August 2025. It’s headlined by Suranne Jones and Julie Delpy, who play the British Prime Minister and the first female President of France, respectively.
Hostage is written by Matt Charman, whose credits include Bridge of Spies, Netflix’s Treason, and Oasis. Isabelle Sieb (The Devil’s Hour, Nautilus) and Amy Neil (Hanna, The Control Room) are directing the episodes. The project was first unveiled by Netflix back in March 2024. Foz Allan, the renowned TV producer behind Riveria, Wolfblood, and The Athena, serves as executive producer on the series alongside Charman under his production company, Binocular Productions.
Speaking about the project, Charman said, “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. 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.”
Jeff Russo serves as the composer of the series, and Catherine Derry and Matt Gray serve as cinematographers.
What’s the plot of Hostage?
The synopsis of Hostage reads as follows:
“Abigail Dalton, the recently elected British Prime Minister is fighting for office thanks to a healthcare crisis. Vivienne Toussaint is the first female French President campaigning for re-election no matter what — including tackling France’s borders. A summit between the two women could be the answer to their prayers, if they can agree. But when Dalton’s husband is kidnapped and Toussaint is blackmailed, they 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?”
The Mirror and the Daily Mail picked up exclusive first-look shots for the new series in March 2024, and Netflix officially dropped first looks for the new series in June 2025 ahead of its release on August 21st, 2025.
Picture: Daily Mirror
Picture: Netflix
Picture: Netflix
Picture: Netflix
Picture: Netflix
Picture: Netflix
Picture: Netflix
Who is cast in Hostage?
Pictures courtesy of actor’s respective agencies
The two main leads of Hostage are Suranne Jones (Vigil, Gentlemen Jack) and Julie Delpy (Before Sunrise, Meet the Barbarians) as British PM Abigail Dalton and French President Vivienne Toussaint, respectively. We had previously heard that Camille Cottin was eyed for the French PM role. Speaking about the project on Instagram, Jones said, “Thrilled to be working with the icon that is Julie Delpy! Matt Charman and his amazing scripts and the brilliant Isabelle Sieb as Lead director.”
They are joined by:
- Corey Mylchreest (Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story) as Matheo Lewis
- Lucian Msamati (Game of Thrones) as Kofi Adomako
- James Cosmo (Game of Thrones) as Max Dalton
- Hiftu Quasem (The Witcher) as Ayesha
- Jim Sturgeon (The Witcher) as Nicholas Lovell
- Isobel Akuwudike (The Road Trip) as Sylvie
- Ashley Thomas (Them) as Dr. Alex Anderson
- Jehnny Beth (Anatomy of a Fall) as Adrienne Pelletier
- Mark Lewis Jones (Gangs of London) as General Livingston
- Martin McCann (The Survivalist) as John Shagan
- Paul Thornley (Les Misérables) as Michael Hall
- Zubin Varla (Our Girl) as Oliver Bahrami
- Amita Suman (Shadow and Bone) as Dr. Maya Odari
- Vincent Perez (Alone in Berlin) as Elias Vernier
- Flora Montgomery (When Brenda Met Trudy) as Dr. Traci Lambert
Gerald Kyd (Casualty) as Agent Thomas Mercer
Speaking about the project, Jones said, “I’m thrilled to be on Netflix, in something I’m really proud of,” adding, “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, Matt and I together, backed up by this brilliant, supportive team. I loved it.”
What’s the Netflix release date for Hostage?
Hostage is currently deep in post-production after filming for several months in 2024. Production took place in the UK and La Palma in the Canary Islands. Filming wrapped up in June 2024 with Suranne Jones confirming the wrap over Instagram, saying, “My picture wrap on @netflix #binocular series #TheChoice What a beautiful bunch of people… and now over to @isabellesieb to finish her block.. then to the edit.. then over to you to see if you like it next year! Thank you to all involved.”
Netflix has confirmed that Hostage will be released sometime in August 2025!
The film previously featured in Netflix UK’s preview of what will be released in 2025, where its new name, Hostage, was revealed.
Are you looking forward to Hostage coming to Netflix on August 21st, 2025? Let us know down below.
