Netflix users are hooked on Suranne Jones' thrilling new drama Hostage
There's five episodes to binge
Last updated 26th Aug 2025
With shows such as Doctor Foster, Vigil and Scott & Bailey on her CV, actress Suranne Jones is no stranger to a gripping drama series, and now she appears in a gripping new drama for streaming giant Netflix.
Starring alongside The Lesson star Julie Delpy and Game Of Thrones actor James Cosmo, Suranne plays the lead character in British drama Hostage, formally titled The Choice — and fans are loving it!
What is Hostage about?
It's been described as an 'action-packed political thriller'! Suranne plays the role of Abigail Dalton, a recently elected British Prime Minister, who's forced to choose between her country and her family when her husband is kidnapped.
Meanwhile Julie Delphy takes on the role of Vivienne Toussaint, the first ever female French President.
The official early synopsis states: '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?'
Since it arrived, fans have been binging the entire series in one sitting, with many expressing their love. One wrote: 'Fantastic series that I binged in one day! Beautiful acting ladies and bravo to the entire cast and crew'. (sic)
Another wrote: 'Loved it', with a third writing: 'Binged this in one night, what a show'. Somebody else commented: 'We need a second series!! Please again with Suranne'. (sic)
Suranne took to Instagram to thank fans for their support of the series, writing: 'Thank you all so much for watching Hostage and for all your comments and messages. We appreciate you all ❤️❤️🙏🙏 Happy bank holiday weekend ❤️'.
When did it come out?
On Wednesday 18th June, Netflix shared some first look images from the limited series alongside a start date of 21st August 2025.
The social media post read: 'kidnap. blackmail. unimaginable choices 💥 get ready for Hostage, a new limited series starring Suranne Jones and Julie Delpy coming to Netflix 21 August'. (sic)
All episodes are out now.
Is there a trailer?
Yes, Netflix released a teaser trailer on Monday 14th July. Sharing the post on Instagram, they wrote: 'The British Prime Minister (Suranne Jones) is forced to choose between her country and her family when her husband is taken hostage
'HOSTAGE, a new action-packed political thriller, comes to Netflix 21 August.'
Watch the trailer for Hostage:
How many episodes?
The mini-series is made up of five episodes.
What channel is it on?
Hostage is available to stream on Netflix.
Who is in the cast?
Key cast members from Hostage were announced last year when filming started in March 2024. See the main cast below:
Suranne Jones as Abigail Dalton, the British Prime Minister
Julie Delpy as Vivienne Toussaint, the French President
Corey Mylchreest as Matheo Lewis, Toussaint's step son
Lucian Msamati as Kofi Adomako, Dalton’s Chief of Staff
Ashley Thomas as Dr. Alex Anderson, Dalton’s doctor husband
James Cosmo as Max, Dalton's ailing father
Jehnny Beth as Adrienne Pelletier, Toussaint's Chief of Staff
Where was it filmed?
Filming for Hostage took place at various locations in the UK and La Palma on the Canary Islands.
After filming ended in June 2024, Suranne took to Instagram to write: '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.'.
The series has since changed its name to Hostage.
Will there be a second series?
Netflix are yet to announce if Hostage will be renewed for a second series.
Check out all of the TV shows you've seen Suranne Jones on:
2000-2004: Coronation Street
Suranne's first big TV role was when she joined ITV/STV soap Coronation Street in 2000. Suranne joined the cast as a character called Karen Phillips, later changing her name to Karen McDonald after she married Steve McDonald.
Suranne appeared on the show for four years, being involved in 494 episodes, going on to become a fan favourite. Suranne's last appearance on the soap was during the episode on Boxing Day in 2004.
2005-2006: Vincent
Suranne's first big role after leaving Corrie was an ITV/STV drama called Vincent. Suranne starred alongside Ray Winstone, playing the role of a top private investigator called Beth Goddard. The show was made-up of two series in total, with eight episodes.
2006: Strictly Confidential
Appearing alongside Tristan Gemmill and Cristian Solimeno, Suranne played the role of a bisexual sex therapist in Kay Mellor's six-part drama Strictly Confidential. The series aired in November 2006 and wasn't renewed for any further series.
2008: Harley Street
Suranne landed the role of Martha Eliot in ITV/STV's medical drama Harley Street in 2008. Despite being the first drama to air in high definition on ITV1/STV1 HD, the series was axed after six episodes due to low viewing figures. Suranne appeared in the drama alongside Paul Nicholls, Shaun Parkes, Oliver Dimsdale and Kim Medcalf.
2009: Unforgiven
In 2009, Suranne teamed up with award-winning writer Sally Wainwright, to appear in a three-part drama called Unforgiven. The series, which also starred Siobhan Finneran and Matthew McNulty, followed Suranne's character Ruth Slater, a woman found guilty of murdering two police officers when she was a teenager.
2010: Five Days
Suranne joined the cast of BBC drama Five Days for series two in 2010, taking on the role of DC Laurie Franklin. Suranne appeared alongside David Morrissey, Bernard Hill and Anne Reid.
2011-2016: Scott & Bailey
Appearing alongside Lesley Sharp, Amelia Bullmore and Nicholas Gleaves, Suranne landed the role of Sergeant Rachel Bailey in ITV/STV police drama Scott & Bailey in 2011. The popular show ran for five series in total, with Suranne also acting as the Executive Producer on the final series. Although viewing figures were high, bosses chose to end the series due to 'creative reasons' in 2016.
2012-2014: A Touch of Cloth
Suranne appeared in Charlie Brooker's comedy series A Touch of Cloth between 2012-2014, playing the role of DC Anne Oldman. The series, which aired on Sky One, was made of three series, each containing two episodes.
2014: The Crimson Field
Suranne took on the role Sister Joan Livesey in BBC period drama The Crimson Field in 2014. The series followed the lives of hospital staff at a hospital in France during the First World War. The show was made up of one series and also starred Rupert Graves, Oona Chaplin, Hermione Norris, and Kevin Doyle.
2015-2017: Doctor Foster
Suranne landed the role of Gemma Foster in BBC drama Doctor Foster in 2015, a series written by Mike Bartlett. The series gained huge popularity with big viewing figures, with fans still crying out for more episodes to this day. Following her performance on the show, Suranne won a BAFTA TV Award for Best Actress. Suranne appeared on the show alongside the likes of Bertie Carvel, Jodie Comer and Bertie Carvel.
In 2020, a spin-off series aired called Life, but Suranne didn't appear.
2018-2020: Save Me
Appearing alongside Lennie James, Suranne played the role of Claire McGory in two series of Sky Atlantic series Save Me.
2019–2022: Gentleman Jack
Suranne once again worked with writer Sally Wainwright in 2019, appearing in BBC historical drama Gentleman Jack. Suranne played the role of landowner and industrialist Anne Lister, appearing alongside Sophie Rundle, Joe Armstrong and Amelia Bullmore. As well as returning for a second series, Suranne also acted as the Executive Producer for the second instalment.
2021-Present: Vigil
Suranne signed up to appear in crime drama Vigil in 2021, which was created by World Productions. Suranne plays the role of Detective Chief Inspector Amy Silva alongside Rose Leslie, who stars as Detective Sergeant Kirsten Longacre. Following series one, which saw the characters solve a crime on-board HMS Vigil, the show was renewed for a second series and saw the pair investigate the British air force.
Earlier in 2025, it was announced Vigil had been renewed for a third series, with Suranne set to reprise her role.
2023: Maryland
Another show to add to that she's acted as Executive Producer on, Suranne starred in three-part drama series Maryland in 2023. Playing the role of Becca, the show told the story of two estranged sisters who regain contact following the sudden death of their mum.
2025: Hostage
Suranne teamed up with Netflix for a brand new drama called Hostage, which landed on the platform on 21st August 2025. Suranne plays the role of British Prime Minister Abigail Dalton, whose husband is kidnapped.
2025: Frauds
As well as starring in ITV heist drama Frauds, Suranne also acts as an Executive Producer and co-creator of the show. Suranne plays the role of Bert, a fraudster who has just been released from a maximum-security prison after serving 10 years for fraud. Appearing in the series alongside Jodie Whittaker, all episodes are available to watch now ITVX and STV Player.
2025: Film Club
Landing on the BBC on 7th October 2025, Suranne stars alongside Aimee Lou Wood in Manchester-set sitcom Film Club. The series follows close friends Evie and Noa who get together for a weekly film club. All episodes are available to watch on BBC iPlayer now.
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