This 81% Rotten Tomatoes Netflix political thriller is a must-watch for fans of Bodyguard

Netflix has dropped a political thriller this month that didn't take too long to become a fan favorite. It has already topped the Netflix chart. Hostage, which arrived on August 21, 2025, is a five-episode limited series that puts power, family, and survival on the line. It stars Suranne Jones as UK Prime Minister Abigail Dalton and Julie Delpy as French President Vivienne Toussaint. They are two women caught in the middle of conspiracies and betrayals. With an 81% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, the show has already proved that it is more than just a quick weekend binge.

Hostage feels gripping because of how personal the story is. Abigail’s husband, Alex, is a doctor working abroad. He is kidnapped, and she must carry on with her duties, hiding her pain. At the same time, she is under pressure from the opposition, who blame her for a drug shortage in the country that is costing lives. Vivienne, who first promises to help her, suddenly aborts the mission and pulls back when she is blackmailed herself. There is constant tension in this Netflix series. The characters are forced to make choices that hurt them both as leaders and as human beings.

For anyone who loved Bodyguard, the similarities are way too many to ignore. Both shows are political dramas with ordinary lives being dragged into extraordinary situations. Just like Bodyguard, Hostage is set in the UK. It also has its main focus on national security and keeps you guessing who can really be trusted. The political intrigue and emotional stakes that these shows share are exactly why Hostage feels like the natural next option to watch.

Netflix's political thriller that fans of Bodyguard should not miss

Netflix has quite a few shows that give us suspense, but with a side of realism. And Hostage is exactly that. The series gives us a Prime Minister who is not untouchable but a woman who is torn between her family and her office. This makes the story even more relatable because the viewers are not just watching a politician at work but a mother and a wife trying to hold it all together. This personal and political theme is also the same thing that made Bodyguard such a big hit.

Another reason fans of Bodyguard will click with Hostage on Netflix is the feeling of mistrust. In both of these shows, you never really know who is on whose side. The kidnappers in Hostage demand the Prime Minister’s resignation, but behind that demand, there is a deeper plot. Vivienne is pushed to betray Abigail because of her own secret. Even Abigail’s daughter is hurt by her mother's choice to keep her position and not give in to the demands of the kidnappers, so she leaks information about the kidnapping to the journalist.

The pacing also feels similar. Hostage is a fast-paced political thriller that gets us going from the very beginning and ensures every episode ends with a twist that makes you want to keep watching. The writing is tight, and the performances are strong. For fans of Bodyguard, that same feeling of not being able to stop watching is very much here.

The success of the show is in how viewers are talking about it. With its Rotten Tomatoes score sitting at 81% and its spot on trending lists, Hostage has proved it can stand next to the best of the genre. If you enjoyed the suspense and emotional moments of Bodyguard, this Netflix thriller is one you just can't miss.

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