Netflix viewers 'hooked' after first few minutes of 'incredible' new 5-part thriller

Viewers who tuned into Netflix's new political thriller, Hostage, are binge-watching all five episodes after being "hooked" just minutes into the show. 

Starring Suranne Jones (Vigil, Doctor Foster), the series sees the British prime minister's husband kidnapped and the visiting French president blackmailed, forcing the two leaders to make unimaginable decisions. 

© Des Willie/Netflix

It's no surprise that viewers are loving the show. Not only is it fast-paced, full of twists and propulsive, but Suranne Jones is compelling as ever in her role as PM Abigail Dalton. Bring on another series!

Keep reading to find out what viewers said about the show. 

What have viewers said about Hostage?

Taking to social media, viewers praised the show as "thrilling" and were immediately "hooked". 

© Kevin Baker/Netflix

One person penned: "#HostageNetflix is the perfect example of how to get us hooked from the first minutes of a show. See you in 5 episodes!" while another hailed the thriller as "the best Netflix limited series since Adolescence hands down!"

A third viewer remarked: "Binge-watched #HostageNetflix series. Very good fast paced story, definitely recommended," while another praised Suranne's performance, writing: "OMG this was absolutely incredible!!! @suranne_jones is on another level – powerful, raw and so magnetic, you just can't take your eyes off her. She carries every scene with such intensity and emotion, it gave me chills."

What is Hostage about? 

For those yet to tune into the show, it follows newly minted British Prime Minister Abigail Dalton, who's just under a year into her tenure when she faces major political and personal crises. 

© Des Willie/Netflix

As Abigail welcomes French President Vivienne Toussaint for a summit in London, her husband Alex, a doctor with Médecins Sans Frontières on a mission in French Guiana, is abducted by unknown terrorists. But just as Vivienne agrees to help extract Alex and his team and help return them to safety, she begins to receive messages from an unknown source, blackmailing her over a personal scandal. 

The full synopsis reads: "When the British prime minister's husband is kidnapped and the visiting French president is blackmailed, the two political leaders both face unimaginable choices."

© Des Willie/Netflix

It continues: "Forced into a fierce rivalry where their political futures, and lives, might hang in the balance, can they work together to uncover the plot that threatens them both?"

Five shows to watch like Hostage...

1/5

© Alamy Stock Photo

Richard Madden and Keely Hawes have great on-screen chemistry

1. Bodyguard – Netflix

Sergeant David Budd (Richard Madden), a British army war veteran suffering from PTSD, is assigned the role of Principal Protection Officer for the Home Secretary, Julia Montague. She is a controversial and ambitious politician, but with danger around every corner, can he keep her safe?

2/5

© Apple TV+

There are two seasons to stream

2. Severance – Apple TV

At the biotechnology corporation Lumon Industries, employees have undergone 'severance' – a medical procedure that separates their work and personal memories. They retain no memory of the outside world while at work, and no recollection of their jobs once they leave. Sound confusing? It’s just as baffling for the employees, who are yet to uncover the truth about their roles.

3/5

Keri Russell plays the lead, Kate Wyler

3. The Diplomat – Netflix

A career diplomat navigates her new role as ambassador to the United Kingdom, putting both her job and marriage to a political star to the ultimate test in this dramatic American political thriller.

4/5

© BBC

Season two is coming soon

4. The Night Manager – BBC iPlayer

Jonathan Pine (Tom Hiddleston), the manager of a luxury hotel in Cairo and a former British soldier, is recruited by Angela Burr (Olivia Colman), the head of a Foreign Office task force. She enlists him to infiltrate the inner circle of a secretive arms dealer, but to do so, he must become a criminal himself.

5/5

Will the truth be revealed?

5. Anatomy of a Scandal – Netflix

A parliamentary minister, seemingly a happily married man with a loving family, finds his life turned upside down when a scandalous secret comes to light, threatening to destroy everything.

All five episodes of Hostage are available to stream on Netflix.