Hostage ending explained: Who was behind the kidnap plot and what happens to Abigail?

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

As the last episode of Hostage approached, the stakes were incredibly high. A bomb exploded at 10 Downing Street, leading to unexpected repercussions concerning Abigail Dalton (played by Suranne Jones) and Vivienne Toussaint (portrayed by Julie Delpy).

As the second-to-last episode of the series concluded, a sense of unease lingered, pushing us towards unknown grounds as we approach the final episode.

It’s now evident who is at the center of the scheme to undermine Abigail. It’s also clear that he’s following orders from higher-ups and is part of a larger strategy intended to completely disarm Abigail.

Who orchestrates this dark scheme, though? And what happens to Abigail and her kin at the conclusion? It’s for sure that Abigail and her family experience an unexpected twist at the end; perhaps a turn of events unlike what you may anticipate.

As a devoted fan, I can’t wait to dive into a comprehensive analysis of the thrilling climax of “Hostage”. To add even more excitement, I’ll be sharing some intriguing behind-the-scenes insights directly from the cast and the brain behind it all, series creator/writer Matt Charman. Buckle up!

Hostage ending explained: Who was behind the kidnap plot?

The final scene kicks off by revisiting an earlier time, specifically a birthday party hosted by Abigail and Alex (Ashley Thomas) for little Sylvie when she was younger.

During the conversation, there was an unexpected phone call that interrupted the proceedings. This call was answered by Abigail, who was then a junior minister at the Foreign Office. The caller informed her about a critical situation developing in Belize that required an urgent decision on evacuating British soldiers immediately.

In this scenario, the senior minister is informed that her authorization is essential for departing the Belizean helpers who have been supporting British soldiers. Although it’s a challenging choice and one she understands might lead to the locals’ demise, she swiftly orders the immediate takeoff of British aircraft.

Currently, Abigail and her family are hastily making their way into a subterranean shelter. Despite this, Abigail seems to be holding up well, whereas sadly, Vivienne did not survive the explosion.

Shagan, played by Martin McCann, deviated from the plan when he decided to bomb Downing Street. However, it’s important to note that this unauthorized action was not sanctioned by the one who has been orchestrating the entire operation: General Livingstone, portrayed by Mark Lewis Jones.

During an intense conversation, it comes to light that Livingstone has secretly been plotting against Abigail for several months. He confesses that while he’s never desired her harm, he’s aimed to eliminate obstacles she presented.

Upon discovering that Abigail is still alive, Shagan alters his initial plans to escape the country. Saskia (Sophie Robertson), however, grows more and more perplexed about the path of the plan, particularly since Shagan deceived them regarding the orders to detonate Downing Street.

Alex and Sylvie are being arranged to be moved to a safe haven, accompanied by Matheo (Corey Mylchreest), who has access to a suitable location courtesy of his friend. After they leave, Abigail summons her team consisting of Ayesha, Zadie, Tristan, and Kofi, as she comes to the realization that this situation was orchestrated as part of a coup plot.

As they delve deeper, it becomes apparent to them that Shagan and Livingstone share a connection. Abigail recalls seeing Shagan at a press conference prior to the bomb’s explosion, while Ayesha identifies him in security camera footage from the riots.

It’s discovered that Shagan served as a soldier in Belize, but due to mental health issues and depression, he was reassigned from active duty medically. Abigail shares with her colleagues that she has orders to withdraw troops, but she feels remorseful about abandoning the local residents. As it turns out, Livingstone appears to have been Shagan’s commanding officer in Belize, since it seems unlikely that Shagan could have executed this entire plan alone.

Abigail journeys with her group to face Livingstone directly at the Ministry of Defense. In this encounter, Livingstone admits to having information about a laptop, implying his own involvement. He clarifies that his actions stem from escalating discontent over Abigail’s military budget reductions, which he believes leave Britain in a vulnerable and unprotected state.

Livingstone is removed and placed in custody by order of Ogilvy, who is the interim prime minister.

At their secretive mansion hideout, Shagan and Saskia forcefully enter and seize Alex, Sylvie, and Matheo as captives. Shagan coerces Alex into making a call to Abigail, intending to command her to come to the house. Upon Abigail’s arrival, Saskia discovers that Matheo has quietly placed an emergency call (999). This leads to a tussle between them, which grants Sylvie the opportunity to escape. Simultaneously, a police team is sent out, but Saskia voluntarily hands over the phone to Matheo and flees the scene.

What happens to Abigail?

In the living room, Abigail walks in to find Shagan holding Alex captive with a knife. It’s at this moment that Shagan discloses his reasons for wanting Abigail dead. He explains that his fiancée, who worked as a local translator in Belize, was tragically left behind and brutally murdered by the local government’s orders, while she was six months pregnant.

Upon the arrival of the police, Alex, feeling increasingly cornered, dashes towards Shagan in an attempt to disarm him of the knife. As Abigail cries out for aid, heavily armed officers advance towards the house. Meanwhile, Sylvie, having retrieved a gun from Saskia, is observed heading towards the room.

She suddenly enters with a gun aimed at Shagan, who provokes her by reminding her of the murder he confessed to committing against her grandfather (James Cosmo). Angered, Sylvie shoots him. In disbelief, we watch as police officers enter the room and arrest Sylvie, while Abigail and Alex look on in shock as Shagan dies.

It seems we might evaluate her differently due to her being a woman, and the decisions she takes here intrigue me at the same time.

Stepping three months ahead, I find myself eagerly looking on as Abigail and her loved ones appear to have weathered the storm. The anticipation builds as she readies herself to step out onto the steps of Downing Street, poised to share momentous news with the world.

Seeking confirmation from both her spouse and child, she steps out to convey the news: A general election will be held, aiming to establish a fresh mandate for addressing national issues and fostering greater transparency in her relationship with the public.

Who dies at the end of Hostage?

In my excitement for the climax, I can’t help but share a heartbreaking revelation. The story begins with the shocking news that Vivienne perished in the blast at Downing Street. Yet, as the curtain falls on this epic tale, it’s revealed that Shagan meets his end, too, at the hands of Sylvie.

Although some spectators might ponder whether Shagan is truly deceased, the series creator, Matt Charman, confidently affirms that in his opinion, Shagan has met his permanent end.

Imagine if an action causes you to significantly overstep societal norms as a human being. Such an act might cause deep and lasting trauma, leaving you questioning your identity – who are you now compared to who you were before. It would be intriguing to delve into the effects of such experiences on a person as they transition into adulthood.

Consider adding ‘Hostage’ to your list of shows to watch on TopMob’s What to Watch app. Download it today for personalized TV suggestions, exclusive content, and more!

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2025-08-21 14:06