Matt Charman, the captive author, shares his thoughts on whether a male-centric version of his politically charged thriller might have been equally compelling as its original female-led cast.
In this Netflix original show, Suranne Jones portrays the role of a fictional prime minister named Abigail Dalton, who happens to be British. A critical diplomatic meeting with the French president Vivienne Toussaint (played by Julie Delpy) takes an unexpected turn when her husband, played by Ashley Thomas, is kidnapped during the visit.
She’s faced with a tough choice: either resign or be separated from her husband, leading to a series of dramatic events that even extended to threatening the French president with extortion.
At the premiere of Netflix’s Hostage, which was co-hosted by TopMob, screenwriter Charman (from Bridge of Spies) shared that the series was originally conceptualized as a female-centric production, with Jones being part of the project right from its inception.
He shared that what sets this narrative apart are the two female characters, as it’s typically a tale for men; however, we intentionally sought to avoid that gender dynamic.
We were curious about the behavior of these two women when faced with a system intent on their destruction. How would they respond compared to men in similar situations? Exploring this dynamic turned out to be quite intriguing.
Charman went on to say, “However, another point to consider is that she’s a mother, and you reside above the store. Your residence is in Downing Street, specifically in the apartment.
In simpler terms, when we conversed with several politicans who have children, the common sentiment they expressed was a constant sense of guilt about their offspring. This guilt primarily revolves around the sacrifices their children have made and the challenges they’ve faced as a result.
As a devoted cinephile, I often find myself pondering about storylines and their potential gender-flipped reinterpretations. So, considering the distinctive aspects highlighted, I wondered if “Hostage” could have been transformed into a series with male characters standing in for Jones’s PM Dalton and Delpy’s President Toussaint.
Charman mused, “It might have been doable, but I’m doubtful if it would have been as enjoyable.
He explained that it might not have occurred to you to view it from a fresh angle. Instead, it seemed like an extension of the existing elements. However, when you introduce two robust female characters into a typical genre story like this one, each scene takes on a completely new dynamic.
As a writing enthusiast, each choice I encounter sparks curiosity not only within my creative writer’s soul, but also from the perspective of an engaged viewer.
At this point, Jones jokingly interjected: “And the costumes are better!”
Apart from Jones, Delpy, and Thomas, the Hostage’s cast additionally features Corey Mylchreest (from My Oxford Year), Lucian Msamati (known for Gangs of London), James Cosmo (recognized from Nightsleeper), and Jehnny Beth (starring in Anatomy of a Fall).
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2025-08-20 14:34