Hostage creator on “terrifying” dilemma of reflecting real-world politics in drama

It’s likely that some viewers may attempt to find similarities between these leaders and contemporary political figures. This observation was made by Matt Charman, the writer of ‘Hostage’, during a premiere panel discussion, who noted that staying current in light of rapidly changing global events can be challenging.

As I reflect on it, I must say it’s quite unsettling. The filmmaking journey is a whirlwind, with the world spinning and events unfolding, and fresh faces stepping up as leaders, guiding us through uncharted territories.

In a moment of reflection, you might wonder, “Will everything turn out okay?” Shows should interact with their environment, but they risk becoming outdated if the interaction becomes too intimate and they start to fall slightly behind.

The filming for Hostage began in March 2024, approximately four months prior to the UK’s general election. This election, held in July 2024, resulted in a change of power, with the Labour Party led by Keir Starmer defeating Rishi Sunak’s Conservative government.

Simultaneously, in France last year, President Emmanuel Macron unexpectedly scheduled an election for June, resulting in a parliament without a clear majority, as the far-right National Rally and left-wing coalition New Popular Front evenly divided the voting population.

The political climate in both nations has been swiftly changing this year, making it challenging for a program to stay current. However, Charman remains optimistic that the series “Hostage” is still relevant and engaging with the global community.

He mentioned, “I aimed for a series that would resonate. However, let me clarify, it’s not your typical political thriller with a big ‘P’. Instead, it delves deeper into the characters and their actions: What will these two women decide to do? Yet, I want the political elements to remain relatable.

Apart from Jones, Delpy, and Thomas, the ensemble of Hostage additionally features Corey Mylchreest known for My Oxford Year, Lucian Msamati famed in Gangs of London, James Cosmo recognized from Nightsleeper, and Jehnny Beth who starred in Anatomy of a Fall.