Latest news with #Hostage
Metro
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- Metro
TV fans convinced adrenaline-pumping drama shows 'Suranne Jones at her best
TV viewers have nothing but praise for Suranne Jones ahead of the release of the brand new drama series Hostage on Netflix. All five episodes of the political thriller, which comes from Academy Award nominee Matt Charman, will drop on the streaming platform on August 21. The series follows French President Vivienne Toussant, played by Julie Delpy, and UK Prime Minister Abigail Denton, played by Jones, as they're caught in the middle of an international incident. France and England's political leaders are set to meet at an international summit when Abigail's husband, Alex, is kidnapped by vigilantes, causing chaos. Her husband's abductors announce that PM Dalton must step down from her position if she ever wants to see her husband alive again. Wake up to find news on your TV shows in your inbox every morning with Metro's TV Newsletter. Sign up to our newsletter and then select your show in the link we'll send you so we can get TV news tailored to you. Amid the uproar, President Toussaint also begins receiving dangerous threats, leaving the leaders of both countries in a race against time to find a resolution. To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video Charman told Netflix: 'I have always wanted to tell the story of the reality of living where you work as a prime minister and being torn between your family and your country.' Also speaking to the streamer, Jones revealed the true nature of her character: 'She is put in such extreme circumstances, and we see that when push comes to shove, she puts her country over her family.' She then revealed that the original working title for Hostage was The Choice, emphasising the importance of Dalton's tough decision to the overall plot. Jones added: 'I'm thrilled to be on Netflix in something I'm really proud of. It's been something I've wanted to do for a long time. We'd talked about projects previously, but for me, it was about finding the right thing. 'Hostage was perfect — me and Matt together, backed up by this brilliant, supportive team. I loved it.' Delpy said of her President Toussaint: 'She's good at handling situations and power, but her weakness is her hidden side. She puts herself and her entire career in danger for something that could have been avoided.' Sofian Francis, who stars in three episodes of the miniseries as Burke, called the series 'one of my favourite filming experiences ever' and said that he can't wait to see the full hostage series in action. Actor Dominic Lawrence commented on Instagram: 'I am so so so excited for this,' while US-based fans of Jones wondered if the show was getting a worldwide release. NikkiLuman asked: 'Will it come to US Netflix at the same time?', before fans informed her that Hostage would get releases in the US and Canada, among other territories. More Trending CallieWalsh33 said: 'Can't wait – love Suranne in everything she's in,' while AnnWoodbutters5 remarked: 'Wow – can't wait, Suranne at her best.' As well as starring Jones and Delpy, Hostage also features Corey Mylchreest as Matheo Lewis, Lucian Msamati as Kofi Adomako, and Ashley Thomas as Dr Alex Anderson. Further down the cast list are Game of Thrones and Trainspotting actor James Cosmo and French former Savages singer Jehnny Beth. View More » Hostage will be available to stream on Netflix on August 21. Got a story? If you've got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the entertainment team by emailing us celebtips@ calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page – we'd love to hear from you. MORE: Top Boy actor Micheal Ward charged with rape and sexual assault MORE: WWE star demonstrates how broken finger 'still won't bend from knuckle to tip' MORE: Netflix viewers rush to watch 'absorbing' reboot of beloved Scottish crime drama
The Irish Sun
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- The Irish Sun
My awkward moment with ballsy Suranne Jones explains why she, Keeley Hawes & top female stars have ditched the BBC & ITV
AFTER three guys' brains are blown out, another bloke's throat is ripped open with a crowbar before a fifth is despatched by a knife to the eyesocket - all at the hands of a shadowy executioner played, unbelievably, by Keeley Hawes. That's just the first three, breathtaking minutes of her new Prime Video thriller The Assassin, in the latest example of a top British actress shifting to the streamers - and not giving a damn about the fact they forged their careers on the likes of ITV and BBC. Advertisement 6 Suranne Jones at the National Television Awards in 2018 where my question received a frosty response Credit: Getty 6 Suranne in the new Netflix show Hostage, which drops next month Credit: NETFLIX It comes as no surprise to me just how gutsy and determined they are because, as TV Editor, I've met virtually all of them while reporting on hundreds of dramas over the years - one particular brush with one of these ballsy a-listers is still burned in my memory. Standing on a stage with around 100 people watching on she said: "Because I'd have to ask him what he got paid and I just can't do that." Advertisement Without realising it I impulsively flashed her an expression which said: "Well, you probably could, couldn't you?" And Suranne could have just left the little interaction there. Except - and I absolutely love her for this - she didn't. Frightened dormouse "Well, you pull a face," she snapped back, with the brassiness of her former Corrie character Karen McDonald, "but I just can't can I?" At that point the whole room went quiet, she fixed me with a glare, I stared back like a frightened dormouse and the whole room - including her husband Laurence Akers - glared at me for what felt like an hour (it was probably about ten seconds.) Only one of Keeley's knives in the eyeballs would have felt less painful. Now, an average star probably wouldn't have publicly hit back at me like that, but then Suranne isn't your average star. Like Advertisement Which is why, just like Keeley, she's also about to launch her own drama with a streaming giant. Which is quite a leap from playing a Corrie barmaid on ITV. But it's the same leap, with the same streamer, that's been made by 6 Sarah Lancashire in the hit BBC series Happy Valley Credit: BBC Sarah is another one I've done interviews with where, if you dare ask a stupid question, she'll stop you in your tracks and tell you it's a stupid question. And why shouldn't she? She's Sarah Lancashire. She can do that. It only makes me respect her more. Advertisement The list of daring defectors doesn't stop there. Meanwhile the likes of Sheridan Smith, Katherine Kelly and Gemma Arterton, who've all been increasingly dipping their toes in the streamers' waters. 6 Keeley in ITV's The Durrells Credit: ITV 6 And in her gritty new Amazon Prime role in the drama The Assassin Credit: Prime / TNI Though none of them can quite compare with Advertisement Over the past three years she has made seven dramas, four of which have been for non-terrestrial services. As well as The Assassin there was Scoop on Netflix, Orphan Black: Echoes on US cable channel AMC and Sky's supernatural thriller, The Midwich Cuckoos. Before too long there'll be a tipping point where we'll almost only ever see these hugely popular actresses on the streamers - and there's only one way that the likes of BBC, ITV and Channel 4 can stop the rot. The majority of these household names had their big breaks on the terrestrial channels. But these hugely successful women want control by being made exec producers. They want good money (just like the men). And they want to cherry pick daring shows which will provide them with a global audience. The cash-strapped terrestrials will struggle to give them all of that. For us viewers, there's some comfort in the fact that they won't abandon the holy trinity of TV overnight, and we'll still see them pop up here and there on regular telly for a while longer. Advertisement 6 Suranne fired back when I asked her about equal pay for women stars Credit: GETTY Plus, this isn't a fait accomplis. What the execs at the Beeb and commercial channels do need to do is radically change what roles they offer these stars. They need to quit their obsession with conventional period dramas and route one crime thrillers and turn twee Keeley into a killer, or It isn't just about money (though, admittedly, that does help) it's more about giving these stars roles the chance to spread their wings as producers and as performers. But, based on my experiences of these amazing women, they're going to have to grow some sizable kahunas to do it. Advertisement
Scottish Sun
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- Scottish Sun
My awkward moment with ballsy Suranne Jones explains why she, Keeley Hawes & top female stars have ditched the BBC & ITV
The Sun's TV Editor knows exactly what the terrestrial channels MUST do to stop their top acting talent moving to streamers - and it's not just paying them more STREAM QUEENS My awkward moment with ballsy Suranne Jones explains why she, Keeley Hawes & top female stars have ditched the BBC & ITV AFTER three guys' brains are blown out, another bloke's throat is ripped open with a crowbar before a fifth is despatched by a knife to the eyesocket - all at the hands of a shadowy executioner played, unbelievably, by Keeley Hawes. That's just the first three, breathtaking minutes of her new Prime Video thriller The Assassin, in the latest example of a top British actress shifting to the streamers - and not giving a damn about the fact they forged their careers on the likes of ITV and BBC. 6 Suranne Jones at the National Television Awards in 2018 where my question received a frosty response Credit: Getty 6 Suranne in the new Netflix show Hostage, which drops next month Credit: NETFLIX It comes as no surprise to me just how gutsy and determined they are because, as TV Editor, I've met virtually all of them while reporting on hundreds of dramas over the years - one particular brush with one of these ballsy a-listers is still burned in my memory. Suranne Jones had just scooped a National Television Award for playing the lead in Doctor Foster back in 2018, when I foolishly tried to take her to task during a post-show press conference on the issue of the gender pay gap and why she didn't just demand to get the same wage as her co-star Bertie Carvel. Standing on a stage with around 100 people watching on she said: "Because I'd have to ask him what he got paid and I just can't do that." Without realising it I impulsively flashed her an expression which said: "Well, you probably could, couldn't you?" And Suranne could have just left the little interaction there. Except - and I absolutely love her for this - she didn't. Frightened dormouse "Well, you pull a face," she snapped back, with the brassiness of her former Corrie character Karen McDonald, "but I just can't can I?" At that point the whole room went quiet, she fixed me with a glare, I stared back like a frightened dormouse and the whole room - including her husband Laurence Akers - glared at me for what felt like an hour (it was probably about ten seconds.) Only one of Keeley's knives in the eyeballs would have felt less painful. Now, an average star probably wouldn't have publicly hit back at me like that, but then Suranne isn't your average star. Like Keeley, she's a no-nonsense, single minded woman who knows her worth. Which is why, just like Keeley, she's also about to launch her own drama with a streaming giant. Hostage, which drops next month on Netflix, sees her play a fictional UK Prime Minister. Which is quite a leap from playing a Corrie barmaid on ITV. But it's the same leap, with the same streamer, that's been made by Sarah Lancashire, who's best known for playing the Rovers Return's Raquel. She's now playing a spymaster in Netflix's Black Doves. 6 Sarah Lancashire in the hit BBC series Happy Valley Credit: BBC Sarah is another one I've done interviews with where, if you dare ask a stupid question, she'll stop you in your tracks and tell you it's a stupid question. And why shouldn't she? She's Sarah Lancashire. She can do that. It only makes me respect her more. The list of daring defectors doesn't stop there. Doctor Who favourite Billie Piper has done a trio of Netflix dramas - Scoop, Kaos and Wednesday - not to mention two series of I Hate Suzie on Sky. Meanwhile the likes of Sheridan Smith, Katherine Kelly and Gemma Arterton, who've all been increasingly dipping their toes in the streamers' waters. 6 Keeley in ITV's The Durrells Credit: ITV 6 And in her gritty new Amazon Prime role in the drama The Assassin Credit: Prime / TNI Though none of them can quite compare with Keeley, just to circle back to her. Although we know her best for playing a housewife in The Durrells or a Home Secretary on Bodyguard, there's definitely a gravitation away from ITV and the BBC. Over the past three years she has made seven dramas, four of which have been for non-terrestrial services. As well as The Assassin there was Scoop on Netflix, Orphan Black: Echoes on US cable channel AMC and Sky's supernatural thriller, The Midwich Cuckoos. Before too long there'll be a tipping point where we'll almost only ever see these hugely popular actresses on the streamers - and there's only one way that the likes of BBC, ITV and Channel 4 can stop the rot. The majority of these household names had their big breaks on the terrestrial channels. But these hugely successful women want control by being made exec producers. They want good money (just like the men). And they want to cherry pick daring shows which will provide them with a global audience. The cash-strapped terrestrials will struggle to give them all of that. For us viewers, there's some comfort in the fact that they won't abandon the holy trinity of TV overnight, and we'll still see them pop up here and there on regular telly for a while longer. 6 Suranne fired back when I asked her about equal pay for women stars Credit: GETTY Plus, this isn't a fait accomplis. What the execs at the Beeb and commercial channels do need to do is radically change what roles they offer these stars. They need to quit their obsession with conventional period dramas and route one crime thrillers and turn twee Keeley into a killer, or former Corrie barmaids Suranne and Sarah into prime ministers and secret service chiefs. It isn't just about money (though, admittedly, that does help) it's more about giving these stars roles the chance to spread their wings as producers and as performers. But, based on my experiences of these amazing women, they're going to have to grow some sizable kahunas to do it.
The Irish Sun
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- The Irish Sun
Huge ITV crime thriller axed after just one series despite rave reviews and 4million viewers
HIT crime thriller Joan has been canned – because star Sophie Turner is too busy. ITV's brilliant drama team has spent months trying to find a window in the Game of Thrones star's schedule to film a second series — but have had to admit defeat. Advertisement 6 Sophie Turner's hit crime series Joan has been axed after ITV failed to find a window in the star's work schedule Credit: ITV A spokesman told me: 'ITV and Snowed-In Productions would love to produce another series of Joan. 'However, as a consequence of cast availability, and following co-production discussions, a second series isn't possible.' The glossy series told the true story of London in the 1980s and earned herself the nickname The Godmother in the city's criminal underworld. autumn last year and attracted more than four million viewers per episode. Advertisement READ MORE TV NEWS It ended on several cliffhangers, with Joan vowing revenge on her two-timing criminal ally Albie and promising to build herself a new business empire after spending four years in jail for armed robbery. At the time the series was shown, director Richard Laxton said: 'There is definitely potential for the story to go on.' Sophie, who has two daughters from her marriage to American singer Joe Jonas and is now dating aristocrat She will play video game adventurer Lara Croft in a Tomb Raider TV series as well as appearing in sci-fi movie Cloud One and horror flick The Dreadful, in which she will co-star with Game of Thrones co-star Advertisement Most read in News TV Madonna and Gwyneth Paltrow both made attempts to bring Joan's story to the big screen in the 2000s but failed — so at least ITV managed to get off the starting blocks. I was UK's most notorious jewel thief dubbed 'The Godmother' - I made MILLIONS thanks to my incredible gift Isle's Cot a lot 6 Fearne Cotton has set up her Ibiza: Unplugged experience on the island 6 Fearne says she has curated 'the perfect way to unplug and spend a chilled day in Ibiza' Credit: Not known, clear with picture desk Stretch your minds back to 2007, and you may recall Fearne Cotton making her first trip to Ibiza to host The X Factor's spin-off show where she shacked up with Dannii Minogue for Judges' Houses. Advertisement Four years later she met Fearne, who has set up her Ibiza: Unplugged experience with travel booking platform GetYourGuide, said: 'I first visited Ibiza 20 years ago and fell in love with the island's energy and people. 'I've discovered the best secret spots for sunrise hikes, chilly dips and soulful yoga sessions. I've curated the perfect way to unplug and spend a chilled day in Ibiza, guided by true experts.' Sounds like the opposite of a stressful day shooting The X Factor. Advertisement Suranne is a sure thing 6 Suranne Jones stars as the new Prime Minister in a gripping first trailer for edge-of-your-seat thriller Hostage Credit: Netflix A thrilling new trailer has dropped for crime drama Hostage and it's edge-of-your-seat stuff. The former Corrie star plays the British PM who is fighting political pressure from the French president (Julie Delpy) when her husband Alex is abducted and held hostage. Shocking scenes show Alex (Ashley Thomas) at gunpoint as he is forced to make an appeal video. Advertisement The drama plays out against the backdrop of tense discussion over policing the English Channel. In one scene an aide pleads with Suranne's character Abigail: 'You have to resign.' And she barks: 'We don't give in to terrorists.' The five-parter lands on August 21. Advertisement I hear more about the hottest TV shows and latest binge-watches each week on our free online show, Showbiz Fix. On the latest episode we delve into Netflix saga Amy Bradley Is Missing, chat about Love Island, and remember Ozzy Osbourne. It's at: Matt pal on drug taking 6 An ITV documentary will reveal shocking new details and murder trial twist in Matthew Perry's tragic death Credit: Getty Advertisement Shocking new information on the death of Friends star Matthew Perry will feature in an ITV documentary . The one-off film includes the devastating details of the murder trial that followed his demise in October 2023. Dr Salvador Plasencia has now been charged with giving the actor ketamine. As part of the documentary, which first streamed on Peacock in the US but has since been updated, Matt's on-screen mother from Friends Morgan Fairchild speaks candidly about his drug addiction. Advertisement ITV boss Sasha Breslau said: 'The film tells the story of Matthew's untimely passing with updated developments not seen before.' Matthew Perry: A Hollywood Tragedy will air on ITV1 at 9pm on August 18. The beat goes on for Kay If you thought Love Island's raunchy heart-rate challenge was tense, may I remind you of Contestants were kitted out with a heart monitor and had to stay calm while answering questions to win money . Advertisement But if their heart beat more than a thousand times during gameplay, they immediately lost and left empty handed. Now I can reveal the unusual ITV show, which ran for two series from 2015, could be returning to screens as Hungry Bear Media wants to trademark the name ahead of a possible reboot. The production company, which is run by Holly Willoughby's husband Dan Baldwin, is behind some of telly's biggest hits including the BBC One reboot of Gladiators and Michael McIntyre's The Wheel. If anyone can revive Vernon's show, it's Hungry Bear. Advertisement The six-parter follows the fallout after one of a close-knit trio of friends writes a bestselling novel about a traumatic event, one night 20 years ago. The mystery drama lands on ITVX next month. Freddie's secrets unveiled 6 A Channel 5 documentary is set to tell the story of Freddie Mercury's secret daughter using the Queen legend's private journals Credit: Redferns Advertisement The incredible story of The 90-minute special uses investigation and book by journalist Lesley-Ann Jones. According to her work, Freddie sustained a close relationship with the woman, referred to as 'B', for 14 years before his death in 1991. Lesley-Ann said: 'I thought I knew virtually all there was to know about Freddie. I was wrong. 'Working with his only child to tell his true story in his and his daughter's own words has been the greatest privilege of my professional life.' Advertisement The documentary will air later this year.
Daily Mirror
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
Suranne Jones set to thrill in gripping Netflix political drama Hostage
Much loved actor Suranne Jone swill be on Netflix next month in Hostage Netflix have released a new trailer and photos for new Susanne Jones drama Hostage. The five part series is described as a gripping political thriller, anchored by 'a powerhouse performance' from Suranne and it will launch globally on August 21. Susanne said: 'I'm thrilled to be on Netflix, in something I'm really proud of. It's been something I've wanted to do for a long time. We'd talked about projects previously, but for me, it was about finding the right thing. Hostage was perfect — me and Matt together, backed up by this brilliant, supportive team. I loved it.' The plot sees the British Prime Minister's husband get kidnapped and the visiting French President being blackmailed, as the two political leaders both face unimaginable choices. 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? Writer Matt Charman: 'Suranne's intensity in Hostage is off the charts. Watching her embody a Prime Minister pushed to the edge — politically, personally, emotionally — is utterly gripping. She's commanding, raw, and completely unforgettable.' Other cast members include Julie Delpy, Corey Mylchreest, Lucian Msamati, Ashley Thomas, James Cosmo, Martin McCann and Jehnny Beth. Suranne is one of Britain's best loved actors. She gained prominence for her role as Karen McDonald in Coronation Street between 2000-2004, and has since garnered critical acclaim for performances in shows like Doctor Foster, Gentleman Jack, and Vigil. Suranne is celebrated for her ability to portray diverse characters with depth and emotion. In Hostage she will be playing the Prime Minister. On speaking to politicians to prepare for her upcoming role in Netflix's Hostage, she told the Table Manners podcast: 'I don't think I'm allowed to say (who), but I did speak to three really high-up women from different parties, and I read their books and I interviewed them, and that was very exciting.' On her love of research when preparing for a role, she added: 'I love research! I wasn't very good at school, but I guess that's my callback to something that you're interested in. So I do a lot of reading. I like to meet a lot of people and chat about the roles. For Anne Lister (Gentleman Jack), there was a lot of research I could do. Obviously, there were the diaries, and there were a lot of historians that I could talk to, pictures that I could see. So I get quite geeky about that. For Vigil, I did meet a detective.'
