WOMEN OF SUBSTANCE

STARRING SURANNE JONES AS THE BRITISH PM AND JULIE DELPY AS THE FRENCH PRESIDENT, NEW NETFLIX THRILLER HOSTAGE WILL HAVE YOU GLUED TO THE EDGE OF YOUR SEAT. BY LYNN RUSK

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WE'RE used to seeing Gentleman Jack and Doctor Foster star Suranne Jones playing feisty female figures and now she is set to take on the role of the British Prime Minister.

In Hostage, she plays Abigail Dalton, a politician whose life is turned upside down when her husband, Dr Alex Anderson, is kidnapped.

Meanwhile, across the Channel, French President Vivienne Toussaint - played by French-American actress Julie Delpy - is battling her own political scandal after being blackmailed.

Threats escalate and soon the two leaders must join forces to uncover who is really pulling the strings. Could both women be facing a common enemy?

Suranne, 46, who is also an executive producer on Hostage, written by Oscar-nominated Matt Charman (Bridge Of Spies), says: "I'm thrilled to be on Netflix, in something I'm really proud of. 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 - me and Matt together backed up by this brilliant, supportive team. I loved it."

And she says of her character, "She is put in such extreme circumstances, and we see that when push comes to shove she puts her country over her family.

"The original, working title for the series was The Choice, and that's why."

Julie's character faces her own dilemma; following far-right anti-immigration policies or sticking to her own principles.

"She's quite conflicted, which I liked. She is someone who started out with ideals but had to give up part of what she believes in to get access to power," explains the 55-year-old, best known for playing Celine in the Before movie trilogy