Suranne Jones breaks down tense Hostage finale confrontation scenes and how “being a woman plays into it”

*Warning: This article contains full spoilers for the ending of Hostage.*

Over five captivating episodes, viewers find themselves on an exhilarating journey through the political thriller Hostage on Netflix.

The story revolves around Suranne Jones‘ character, Abigail Dalton, who becomes embroiled in a difficult dilemma as her spouse gets abducted, serving as the central figure of this series.

Alongside the French president, portrayed by Julie Delpy, finding herself entangled in a personal blackmail scheme, these two leaders find themselves in a complex situation where they need to make difficult choices. They must figure out the most effective way to protect their nations while safeguarding those they care about.

This paraphrase maintains the original meaning but is more fluid and easier for readers to understand.

At the end, it’s unveiled that Abigail was the mastermind behind the initial scheme. It seems that her reductions in the military budget had left General Livingston (Mark Lewis Jones) resentful, leading him to seek retribution.

As more pieces fall into place and it becomes clear that Livingston is a key figure in the scheme, Abigail and her colleagues challenge him face-to-face at the Ministry of Defense, with both his associates and the acting prime minister present.

In this situation, the atmosphere becomes charged, resulting in a heated disagreement between the two characters. Livingston expresses his doubts about Abigail’s leadership capabilities suitable for the nation.

Jones suggests that by the time we reach that particular scene, we are already aware of the decision she made as a junior minister, a controversial choice with far-reaching consequences. Furthermore, he implies that there are other members in her cabinet who may not be fully supportive of her leadership and that her gender could potentially influence their opinions, leading them to question her suitability to govern the country.

She’s a woman balancing multiple roles – a wife, a mother, and a unique individual with a fiery personality. Her expressiveness, which I admire, can sometimes be intense. Despite being in a politically charged environment, she stands firm on honesty, a trait that is rare and often perceived as intimidating by her male counterparts.

Jones added: “Mark’s an amazing actor, so I loved playing that.”

Instead, let’s discuss the climax where Sylvie (Isobel Akuwudike) fired at Shagan (Martin McCann). It was indeed a rapid and chaotic sequence of occurrences.

Discussing further, Jones commented that the conclusion involving Sylvie is particularly startling, as the price paid by Abigail and her family in their pursuit of what Sylvie aims to accomplish for the nation, and their failure to resist the terrorists, is an immense burden.

Despite facing adversity, she stood her ground, demonstrating a strong fighting spirit. Some may judge her for being a woman and the decisions she has made in this situation, but I find that aspect intriguing.

In Delpy’s show, Toussaint, the series doesn’t conclude in a similar fashion, yet it maintains its allure primarily due to the focus on the two main female characters – Hostage being about them.

Initially, their relationship is difficult, but as they find themselves in an extraordinary circumstance together, it gradually improves.

As a devoted cinephile, I find myself uniquely positioned to express an understanding that can only stem from shared experiences. We’re navigating a distinct scenario, one that whispers secrets known solely to those who have stood at the helm, as women commanding nations.

As a cinephile penning down my thoughts, I must say that upon their initial encounter, it seems as though an insurmountable wall of obstacles has been erected. Their political leanings and personal ambitions certainly don’t make for a smooth path towards mutual understanding.

After that, it seems to me that the hostage situation and your predicament serve as a catalyst for them. They appear to discover their shared humanity during this journey they undertake together.

Essentially, what I’m trying to convey is this: “In truth, sorting through the difficulties and proposing collaboration instead, since unless they view each other as partners, they won’t progress. I find that idea extremely heartwarming.

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2025-08-21 12:34