Netflix’s Latest Suranne Jones Thriller Sparks Frenzy—Why Are Viewers Calling It the Best Since ‘Adolescence’?

What do you get when you toss Doctor Foster into the chaotic halls of Downing Street and stir in a handful of international intrigue? No, seriously—have you ever wondered what would happen if your favorite TV doctor swapped medical drama for political mayhem and a heart-thumping hostage plot? Well, hang onto your sofa snacks, because Suranne Jones is back and she’s traded stethoscopes for state secrets in Netflix’s new British thriller, Hostage. It’s been called the “best limited series since Adolescence”—which, let’s be honest, sets the bar somewhere between high expectations and “good luck topping that!” The first episode lands like a Friday-night firecracker, and somewhere around the opening credits, you start to question whether your evening plans are worth keeping when you could be unraveling sinister webs, kidnappings in French Guiana, and impossible choices on the world’s stage instead. Viewers are already losing their minds (and sleep schedules) over this one, while some grumble about “political realities” as if we’re all not here for the wild ride anyway. Will you binge it all at once, or savor each twist like your favorite British biscuit? Either way, you’ve got to see what the fuss is about—hostage negotiator not included. LEARN MORE

The new Suranne Jones thriller has been declared the ‘best limited series since Adolescence’.

Yes, finally, Netflix has dropped another Great British Banger of a show, and you just know that with Doctor Foster herself in the cast, it’s gonna be a knock-out.

And if you’ve had time to watch even just a bit of the first episode since it landed yesterday (21 August), you’ll know that it’s pretty gripping indeed.

Swapping detective, doctor and cobbles for Prime Minister Abigail Dalton on the pavements of Downing Street, Foster is joined by the likes of Bashy, Julie Delpy, James Cosmo and Corey Mylchreest.

Without giving too much away, Hostage sees Dalton’s husband kidnapped in French Guiana, while the French president (Delpy) is visiting the UK for talks.

Of course, there are all kinds of webs and twists, but as France’s leader starts receiving threats, the pair face ‘an impossible choice’.

And trust me lads, with plenty of shock factor, it’s got all the ingredients necessary for you to end up cancelling your evening plans after half an hour so you can binge all five episodes.

Plenty of viewers already seem to have done just that, as one wrote on X: “Ok Hostage on Netflix is f**king AMAZING.”

“UK did it again, Hostage is the best Netflix limited series since Adolescence hands down!” another wrote.

The two leaders face an impossible choice (Netflix)

As a third added: “Hostage is the perfect example of how to get us hooked from the first minutes of a show. See you in 5 episodes!”

Some spoil sports have slammed it as ‘absolute garbage’ though, as they pick problems with the reality of the political elements, as one says it’s ‘badly written, almost rushed’.

But the general consensus really is that it’s an absolute banger.

But just who the f**k are these kidnappers? (Netflix)

“Watched four episodes of Hostage tonight,” one said, “really good if you are happy to suspend your disbelief for the sake of entertainment. I am, and am enjoying it.”

Speaking with the BBC ahead of the release of the show, Jones explained that Hostage is less about mirroring the politics of today and more about creating a thriller set in the political world.

“We’re entertaining and we’re in the political world, but it’s in no way a reflection of the world we live in,” she said.

“It’s political with a small p – there’s enough that roots us in the real world but the world is too complicated to link it directly and I think it would be inappropriate.”

You can stream Hostage on Netflix now.