'Hostage' shows challenges faced by female politicians

FEMALE leaders battling their way through kidnappings, terrorism and blackmail in the political sphere come to extraordinary light in Hostage.

- KARISHMA DIPA

SURANNE Jones and Julie Delpy take on the leading roles in Hostage.

The brand-new Netflix political thriller also offers enough twists and turns to keep you glued to your screens from start to finish.

The five-part series, starring Suranne Jones and Julie Delpy in the leading roles, is a refreshing women-led entry in a genre that is still dominated by excellent yet largely male-heavy casts.

Without objectifying these stellar actresses, the production places their professional and political tact, along with their family lives and personal struggles, at the forefront. And after several unexpected twists, the show poses a powerful question: how much should a female leader have to sacrifice for her country?

Hostage introduces viewers to Abigail Dalton (Jones), who, during a romantic walk in the woods with her husband, Dr Alex Anderson (Bashy), is being persuaded to stand for election as the prime minister of the UK. Abigail expresses her concern that if she secures the most powerful and public seat in politics, it could endanger him and their teenage daughter, Sylvie (Isobel Akuwudike).

But the supportive and soft-spoken Alex insists that she has the potential to bring meaningful change to the country - and that if she is ever faced with "the ultimate decision", she will know what to do.