As published in CLAUDIA

Amid bombs, kidnappings, military conspiracies, and blackmail scandals crossing borders, Hostage could easily have been lost in its own labyrinthine plot. But what keeps audiences hooked — and explains its meteoric rise to the top of Netflix after its premiere — are the magnetic performances of Suranne Jones and Julie Delpy, actresses who turn politics into human drama and human drama into a spectacle of power.

That’s why today I won’t focus on the twist-filled plot, the surprises, or the British knack for creating utterly addictive political dramas, whether about espionage, politics, or both. Instead, I want to highlight the true triumph of Hostage: its two great stars.

Suranne Jones: from Doctor Foster to global stardom

Suranne Jones had already proven her strength long before Hostage. In 2015, she became a true phenomenon in the UK with Doctor Foster, the BBC psychological drama that became a national obsession. As Gemma Foster, the betrayed doctor consumed by obsession and revenge, Jones captivated nearly 10 million weekly viewers and won the BAFTA for Best Actress. The role cemented her reputation as one of the most intense and commanding performers on British television. It is an extraordinary series where her acting shines above all.

A few years later, she stunned audiences again in Gentleman Jack, portraying the historical figure Anne Lister, widely regarded as the “first modern lesbian.” With boldness, charisma, and intelligence, Jones proved she could carry a lavish period drama with the same intensity she brought to a contemporary psychological thriller. This duality — the ability to embody both intimacy and authority — makes her turn as Abigail Dalton, a Prime Minister spiraling under pressure in Hostage, the natural evolution of a career built on versatility.

Julie Delpy: actress, filmmaker, and a singular voice

Julie Delpy built an equally plural path, though in a different register. Recognized worldwide for Richard Linklater’s Before trilogy, in which she explored the beauty and fragility of love over decades, Delpy also established herself as a director, screenwriter, and composer, with notable films like 2 Days in Paris and Lolo. Her focus has always been on independent cinema, where she could imprint her personal vision without concessions to Hollywood formulas.

But Delpy also left her mark on television. In 2021, she created and starred in the series On the Verge, about four middle-aged women navigating motherhood, work, and relationships in Los Angeles. Though lighter in tone, the show reflected her signature style: complex female characters, naturalistic dialogue, and an ironic lens on human relationships.

In Hostage, she brings this experience to a new register. As French President Vivienne Toussaint, she is both powerful and fragile, a woman whose private life threatens to corrode her political career. Delpy imbues the role with both the sophistication of a leader and the vulnerability of someone trapped by personal choices — and it is precisely this ambiguity that makes her performance so compelling.

A duel of performances

What elevates Hostage beyond the category of a “disposable thriller” is the way Jones and Delpy play off each other. Whenever Abigail and Vivienne share the screen, the series becomes a duel of intellects, styles, and visions of power. Their chemistry proves that the greatest political dramas do not thrive on conspiracy alone, but on the actors who embody its consequences.

The show’s immediate success confirms this magnetism. Hostage quickly rose to the top of Netflix’s global rankings, largely thanks to the appeal of its two leads: Jones attracts fans of intense British thrillers, while Delpy connects with admirers of European independent cinema. At the same time, both win over audiences seeking fast-paced political suspense. This rare versatility, which could easily have remained confined to niches, is exactly what turns the miniseries into an international phenomenon.

In the end, the bombs and kidnappings may just be a pretext. The true spectacle of Hostage lies in how Suranne Jones and Julie Delpy reaffirm themselves as global, indispensable actresses, capable of carrying not just characters, but the very credibility of the series on their shoulders.