Netflix’s latest political thriller Hostage has already sparked a wave of “Wait, did this actually happen?” reactions online. The five-part limited series follows Abigail Dalton (Suranne Jones), the UK’s newly elected Prime Minister, whose husband is kidnapped while on a humanitarian mission. Torn between her role as head of state and her family, she’s forced into impossible choices all against the backdrop of international blackmail, scandal, and political betrayal.
The premise feels so timely, with nods to real-world crises and political scandals, that it’s natural to wonder: is Hostage ripped from the headlines, or purely fiction?
Is Hostage Based on Real Events?
The short answer: no, it’s not a true story.
Hostage was created by Oscar-nominated writer Matt Charman (Bridge of Spies) alongside Suranne Jones, who also stars as Abigail Dalton. While the story is fictional, it’s layered with realism. From an NHS in meltdown to strained UK-France relations, it borrows the texture of current events to feel grounded in today’s political climate.
As Manchester Evening News reported, Charman’s initial spark came from something surprisingly simple: a childhood school trip to 10 Downing Street. “I can vividly remember standing there and being aware that the address is a home as well as an office,” he recalled (via Hindustan Times). That duality family life colliding with affairs of state became the seed for Hostage.
READ MORE: Netflix’s Hostage Ending Explained
Why Does It Feel So Real?
If you found yourself Googling whether Abigail Dalton was an actual PM, you’re not alone. The series cleverly blends fictional characters with recognizable themes: overwhelmed healthcare systems, defense budget cuts, refugee debates, and the relentless pressure of modern media.
Charman and Jones didn’t stop at observation, though. They dug deep, speaking directly with female politicians including former prime ministers to capture the emotional weight of living and working inside the most scrutinized office in the country.
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Charman noted that much of the guilt politicians shared centered on their children: “It’s always around what the kids have to give up, how hard it was for the kids… imagine being someone’s son or daughter of someone in the cabinet and people saying stuff about your mum and dad every day.” That authenticity seeps into the series, especially through Abigail’s relationship with her teenage daughter Sylvie.
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