Hostage star Julie Delpy praised executive producer and lead actor Suranne Jones for her part in creating a "ballsy" political thriller with a "different energy."
Speaking on Jones' work with the show's creator Matt Charman, Delpy, who plays French president Vivienne Toussaint told Digital Spy exclusively:
"It was very inspiring to see an actor who decides to [partner with a writer and do a series] about a subject matter like this.
"It's pretty ballsy to take two women and to not make it the typical 'woman president facing all the men.' It's a different energy in this show and I think [Suranne] drives that in a beautiful way."
The five-part Netflix series revolves around Jones' British prime minister Abigail Dalton whose world is upended when her husband is taken hostage by those who wish to see her give up power, in exchange for his safe release. Now she must choose: her husband or her country.
"Matt and I worked quite closely on the scripts," Jones told Digital Spy during the same interview.
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"I'd known Matt for a long time, so we would be sharing thoughts back and forth. It's such a brilliant concept because you want to be shouting at the screen going 'just resign. It's your husband, resign.' But…she's been brought up in that political world and with real beliefs and she just wants to do good and she wants change."
Jones leads opposite Delpy's Vivienne who is being blackmailed by the same enemies. The political leaders are forced to put aside their tense rivalry and join forces.
"It was interesting to play two female leaders that are so different, and yet they're able to find common ground," said Delpy. "They have similarities, even though at first they seem so different. Vivienne is inspired by [Abigail's truthfulness]."
The Gentleman Jack star admitted to also being inspired by Delpy.
"I just love working with actors that have been doing it for so long. Firstly, she's got the most amazing stories - a lot unrepeatable - but I just love hearing the tales of [her] life, someone like Julie, who has been and done it.
"She's also a writer and a director. I just love being around, particularly women, that are doing it and being brilliant and creative."
Hostage is streaming on Netflix now.
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TV writer, Digital Spy Janet completed her Masters degree in Magazine Journalism in 2013 and has continued to grow professionally within the industry ever since. For six years she honed her analytical reviewing skills at the Good Housekeeping institute eventually becoming Acting Head of Food testing. She also freelanced in the field of film and TV journalism from 2013-2020, when she interviewed A-List stars such as Samuel L Jackson, Colin Firth and Scarlett Johansson. In 2021 she joined Digital Spy as TV writer where she gets to delve into more of what she loves, watching copious amounts of telly all in the name of work. Since taking on the role she has conducted red carpet interviews with the cast of Bridgerton, covered the BAFTAs and been interviewed by BBC Radio and London Live. In her spare time she also moonlights as a published author, the book Gothic Angel.
