Slick political thriller is let down by a wonky storyline

Suranne Jones and Julie Delpy thrive as formidable world leaders in 'Hostage' – it's just a shame the Netflix series resorts to jump-the-shark plot points

- Helen Coffey

“I just don't want anything to damage this – you know, the three of us?” says Abigail Dalton, played by an earnest and wide-eyed Suranne Jones, to her husband Alex (Ashley Thomas) in the opening scene of Netflix's political thriller, Hostage. The pair are running through the pros and cons of her throwing her hat in the ring to be party leader and, therefore, the next prime minister; Jones is already worried about the effect it might have on her partner and daughter. "If it ever comes down to a choice, you'll make the right one," responds Alex confidently - thereby guaranteeing, Chekhov's gun-style, that Abigail will end up having to make a choice between her family and her job before the episode is out.

This is the overarching premise of the female-led series, which sees Jones star opposite Before Sunrise actor Julie Delpy as French president Vivienne Toussaint: does personal responsibility trump public duty? And, when it comes right down to it, how far are these women prepared to go to cling onto their hard-won power?