Latest news with #SuranneJones
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.
Daily Mail
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Netflix drops first trailer for Suranne Jones' political thriller Hostage - and viewers all say the same thing about Vigil star playing the Prime Minister
Netflix has just released its first trailer for the-hotly anticipated political thriller Hostage starring Suranne Jones - and fans are already saying the same thing. The high-stakes drama is anchored by a powerful performance from English actress Suranne. The 46-year-old Vigil star not only plays the UK Prime Minister, but she also held a vital role as executive producer, marking her first project with Netflix. When the British PM's husband is kidnapped and the visiting French President is blackmailed, the two political leaders both face difficult choices. The plot follows the ensuing rivalry where both their political futures and personal lives might hang in the balance - and they must gamble cleverly to come out on top. Although the series itself is exciting enough, it is Suranne's presence that has fans eagerly awaiting the August 21 release date. Adoring followers rushed to social media to express their excitement about the former Corrie star's Netflix debut. One wrote online: 'Love anything that Suranne does. Very talented!' Another echoed the sentiment, saying: 'I am so excited for this! I can't wait to see Suranne Jones in this.' Known for her roles in Gentleman Jack, Doctor Foster and A Touch Of Cloth, the Greater Manchester native has built a loyal following. One wrote: 'I really like this actor Suranne Jones, she was great in Vigil,' while another chimed in 'Suranne is a super great actor. Looks exciting and riveting.' It seems charmed followers will follow Suranne wherever her career takes her, with one gushing: 'Absolutely brilliant actress. Anything she does on screen - the audience is hooked. Can't wait.' Of the project, Suranne herself 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 five-part series is written by Matt Charman, the Oscar nominee behind war thriller Bridge Of Spies. Charman, too, is chuffed to have Suranne on board, saying: 'I've been dying to find the right story to tell with Suranne and I honestly believe what she's done with this character is going to blow the Netflix audience away. 'An embattled British PM in the middle of a fight for her country and her family - she's fierce, ruthless, and you can't take your eyes off of her.' The brand new series will see Suranne as Abigail Dalton, Julie Delpy as Vivienne Toussaint and Corey Mylchreest as Matheo Lewis. They will be joined by Lucian Msamati, Ashley Thomas, James Cosmo and Jehnny Beth. Netflix has previously released a sneak peek at the new show, with Suranne as her alter-ego waving outside 10 Downing Street with a smile on her face. While in another she looked very serious in a tie dye blouse and burgundy blazer while standing next to Julie as the fictional French president Vivienne. Suranne has been active in the acting scene for the past 29 years. She was initially best known for playing Karen McDonald in ITV's Coronation Street. She played the iconic character in the soap between 2000 and 2004. But since then she's appeared in various other series over the years. Adoring followers rushed to social media to express their excitement about the former Corrie star's Netflix debut Surrane has landed roles in the likes of Harley Street, Unforgiven, Doctor Who and Scott & Bailey. She's also played Anne Lister in Gentleman Jack, DCI Amy Silva in Vigil and Gemma Foster in Doctor Foster. This year she has also taken on the role of Suz in Film Club and Bert in Frauds. It comes after it was revealed that one of Suranne's other shows is set to return to our screens soon. Filming for the BBC hit is due to begin later this year in Scotland, with the third instalment of the police show airing in 2026. The Emmy-winning programme also stars Rose Leslie as DI Kirsten Longacre. It follows the two detectives as they tackle a case at a remote Arctic research station where a member of a British special forces mission was killed. Nominated for a BAFTA in 2022, the new series is set to be packed full of action and cast members are buzzing to begin production.
Scotsman
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- Scotsman
Netflix drops first look at British thriller Hostage
Suranne Jones stars in Hostage on Netflix 🚨 Sign up to our daily newsletter Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to Edinburgh News, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... Netflix has dropped the first look at Suranne Jones' Hostage. The TV icon has teamed up with the streaming giant for the first time. Political thriller is from an Oscar-nominated writer. Netflix has offered viewers the first look at a gripping new British drama arriving next month. TV icon Suranne Jones leads the cast of political thriller Hostage. The Doctor Foster star has teamed up with the streaming giant for the first time. The five-part series is due to arrive in August, it has been confirmed. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Hostage is Netflix's latest British-set thriller joining the likes of The Diplomat and Black Doves - with Keira Knightley. But what can you expect from the show? Netflix drops first look at Hostage Suranne Jones in Netflix's Hostage | Netflix The first official trailer for the show has now been released by Netflix. It comes ahead of the series' launch in August and gives a glimpse at the high stakes drama. We have embedded the trailer below, so you can watch it for yourselves. Please give it a moment to load. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad When does Hostage release? The five-part political thriller is set to land on the streaming service in just less than a month's time. It will debut on Thursday, August 21 with all episodes released at once. Netflix typically releases its shows at 8am British time - except for live events, such as recent boxing events. (L to R) Julie Delpy as Vivienne, Suranne Jones as Abigail in Hostage | Des Willie/Netflix What to expect from Hostage? The thriller is from writer Matt Charman, who received an Oscar nomination for Best Original Screenplay for his work on 2015's spy film Bridge of Spies. He co-wrote the film with the Coen brothers. He also created the crime drama Black Work for ITV in 2015. It was recently added to Netflix and became a surprise hit on the streaming service in the UK. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad The 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. '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?' Suranne Jones 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.' Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Who is in the cast of Hostage? Suranne Jones is the headline name, playing the British Prime Minister in the five-part thriller. She will also be joined by Julie Delpy, Corey Mylchreest, Lucian Msamati, Ashley Thomas, James Cosmo, Martin McCann, Jehnny Beth. Viewers will recognise Suranne from her lengthy work in British TV - from shows like Doctor Foster and Gentleman Jack. She is also one of the stars of BBC's Vigil, which is due to return for a third season. If you love TV, check out our Screen Babble podcast to get the latest in TV and film.
Scotsman
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- Scotsman
Netflix drops first look at British thriller Hostage
Suranne Jones stars in Hostage on Netflix 🚨 Sign up to our Arts and Culture newsletter Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... Netflix has dropped the first look at Suranne Jones' Hostage. The TV icon has teamed up with the streaming giant for the first time. Political thriller is from an Oscar-nominated writer. Netflix has offered viewers the first look at a gripping new British drama arriving next month. TV icon Suranne Jones leads the cast of political thriller Hostage. The Doctor Foster star has teamed up with the streaming giant for the first time. The five-part series is due to arrive in August, it has been confirmed. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Hostage is Netflix's latest British-set thriller joining the likes of The Diplomat and Black Doves - with Keira Knightley. But what can you expect from the show? Netflix drops first look at Hostage Suranne Jones in Netflix's Hostage | Netflix The first official trailer for the show has now been released by Netflix. It comes ahead of the series' launch in August and gives a glimpse at the high stakes drama. We have embedded the trailer below, so you can watch it for yourselves. Please give it a moment to load. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad When does Hostage release? The five-part political thriller is set to land on the streaming service in just less than a month's time. It will debut on Thursday, August 21 with all episodes released at once. Netflix typically releases its shows at 8am British time - except for live events, such as recent boxing events. (L to R) Julie Delpy as Vivienne, Suranne Jones as Abigail in Hostage | Des Willie/Netflix What to expect from Hostage? The thriller is from writer Matt Charman, who received an Oscar nomination for Best Original Screenplay for his work on 2015's spy film Bridge of Spies. He co-wrote the film with the Coen brothers. He also created the crime drama Black Work for ITV in 2015. It was recently added to Netflix and became a surprise hit on the streaming service in the UK. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad The 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. '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?' Suranne Jones 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.' Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Who is in the cast of Hostage? Suranne Jones is the headline name, playing the British Prime Minister in the five-part thriller. She will also be joined by Julie Delpy, Corey Mylchreest, Lucian Msamati, Ashley Thomas, James Cosmo, Martin McCann, Jehnny Beth. Viewers will recognise Suranne from her lengthy work in British TV - from shows like Doctor Foster and Gentleman Jack. She is also one of the stars of BBC's Vigil, which is due to return for a third season.
Yahoo
21-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Netflix's new political thriller series looks more intense than I expected — here's the first trailer
When you buy through links on our articles, Future and its syndication partners may earn a commission. Netflix has just dropped the first trailer for 'Hostage,' its upcoming political thriller series landing on August 21, and it adds new weight to what was already shaping up to be an intriguing watch. A few weeks back, I wrote about the first-look images and said it looks like a compelling binge watch, and now, with the trailer in hand, that impression only deepens. Created by Matt Charman (the mind behind 'Bridge of Spies' and 'Treason'), the limited series stars Suranne Jones and Julie Delpy as two world leaders caught in the middle of a high-stakes crisis during a global summit. One moment, they're preparing for diplomacy; the next, they're forced into a deadly game of control and survival. It's tense stuff. The trailer opens with a personal crisis at the heart of a political storm: the British Prime Minister's husband has been kidnapped, and things escalate quickly from there. Suranne Jones (who also executive produces) plays PM Abigail Dalton, shown grappling with the weight of national duty while her personal life unravels. We see flashes of mounting pressure, coded threats and tense stand-offs as a visiting French President becomes the target of a separate blackmail plot. The two leaders are thrust into a serious rivalry, each forced to make impossible decisions. Whether the two women can trust each other or whether they're being played against one another remains the central question. By the end of this short teaser, Jones's character delivers a steely statement of intent: 'They have weaponized my family. I will not be threatened. I will not negotiate. My loyalties are to this country, I will not allow it to be held to ransom.' Safe to say, she's not here to play games. Rather than going for explosive action, 'Hostage' appears to favor slow-burning psychological tension. If you're into character-driven thrillers that take their time, 'Hostage' might just be one to watch when it premieres in August. What to expect from 'Hostage' on Netflix While the trailer sets the mood with its clipped dialogue and cold tension, 'Hostage' looks set to dig even deeper into the emotional and political fallout of a crisis at the highest level. Netflix said to expect a 'political thriller with a captivating performance from Jones at its center.' Jones told Netflix: '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.' Charman also said, 'I've been dying to find the right story to tell with Suranne and I honestly believe what she's done with this character is going to blow the Netflix audience away. An embattled British PM in the middle of a fight for her country and her family — she's fierce, ruthless, and you can't take your eyes off of her.' Behind the scenes, the creative team brings a sterling pedigree. Backed by Charman's writing and the directorial vision of Isabelle Sieb and Amy Neil, 'Hostage' is likely to channel the same high-gloss tension seen in 'Treason' and 'Vigil.' The supporting cast is strong too, with actors like Corey Mylchreest and Lucian Msamati expected to add some juicy drama. Filmed across the U.K. and France, the series already feels stylistically self-assured. With only five episodes, this definitely feels like a thriller most viewers will eat up once it lands (including me). Political thrillers usually aren't my first choice, but 'Hostage' has definitely caught my attention. A big part of that is the cast, but also how the story doesn't focus on being explosive or full of unnecessary action. Now, having seen the first trailer, I'm even more hyped. I'm also confident this thriller will deliver because Suranne Jones is at the center of it. With her proven track record in gripping dramas like 'Doctor Foster' and 'Gentlemen Jack,' she brings enough intensity to elevate any story. Having her both star and executive produce gives me faith that this series has been crafted with care. Reminder: you can stream all five episodes of 'Hostage' on Netflix starting August 21, 2025. In the meantime, see what's new on Netflix this week. More from Tom's Guide Netflix just added a wild buddy-cop action-comedy movie Netflix drops new trailer for an action-thriller series that has me hooked Netflix's new mystery thriller series has already broken into the top 10
