Julie Delpy, the “Ice Queen” at the Heart of Hostage, the Franco-British Thriller Electrifying Netflix
- Vincent Laroche
- Sep 8
- 5 min read
What if, in the midst of a high-stakes diplomatic negotiation between Paris and London, history veered into chaos? That is the gamble of Hostage, the new political thriller now stirring debate on both sides of the Channel. Starring Julie Delpy and Suranne Jones, the series blends power, betrayal, and moral dilemmas in a post-Brexit Europe where fiction eerily mirrors reality. But beyond the storyline, one question lingers: who is Julie Delpy, this French actress turned screen icon, able to transform a controversial role into a magnetic performance?
A Nerve-Shredding Thriller
From the very first minutes, Hostage sets the tone. Vivienne Toussaint, President of France (played by Julie Delpy), travels to London to negotiate with her British counterpart, Prime Minister Abigail Dalton (Suranne Jones). The stakes? A crucial agreement, as the United Kingdom—plunged into crisis—finds itself mysteriously dependent on French pharmaceutical exports.
But the talks spiral into horror when Dalton’s husband is kidnapped in French Guiana. The abductors demand her resignation, threatening to destabilize the already fragile Franco-British relationship. To make matters worse, Vivienne Toussaint herself becomes the target of ruthless blackmail, preventing her from supporting her British ally.
All the elements are in place: suspense, political scheming, egotistical rivalries, and, in the background, the still-raw scars of Brexit. Viewers are pulled into a spiral where the lines between national interest and personal survival blur.
Mixed, Yet Passionate Reactions
The series, available on Netflix, has not left critics indifferent. Anglo-Saxon media—ever eager to dissect political drama—have taken the bait.
The Telegraph dismissed the script as “absurd,” especially the premise that France, and France alone, could rescue the UK from a pharmaceutical shortage. A “nonsense,” the paper called it, highlighting what it saw as the show’s sensationalist streak.
Variety, meanwhile, acknowledged the weaknesses of the writing, but praised the originality of a series led by two women of power, constantly undermined by misogyny and political maneuvering. For the American magazine, their performances alone justify the series.
And perhaps that is Hostage’s real strength: the chemistry between Delpy and Jones. Together, these international talents turn even the most contrived dialogue into moments of truth.
Julie Delpy: A Career Between Two Worlds
To grasp the impact of Hostage, one must look at Julie Delpy’s extraordinary career. Actress, director, screenwriter, composer—she embodies a rare kind of artistic independence. Born in Paris in 1969 to actors Albert Delpy and Marie Pillet, Julie grew up surrounded by theater and politically engaged cinema.
Discovered early by Jean-Luc Godard, she made her debut in Détective (1985). But it was in the United States that she cemented her international reputation. Her role in Before Sunrise (1995), the first part of Richard Linklater’s cult trilogy alongside Ethan Hawke, thrust her into the global spotlight. With Before Sunset (2004) and Before Midnight (2013), she co-wrote the scripts, establishing herself as a unique voice in independent cinema.
Over the decades, Delpy has built a body of work that defies convention—films like 2 Days in Paris (2007) or My Zoe(2019), blending humor, melancholy, and razor-sharp observations on human relationships.
Today, seeing her step into the role of France’s president in Hostage feels significant. Delpy has never shied away from portraying ambiguous, fragile, and complex characters. In Vivienne Toussaint, she embodies a leader who is both icy strategist and woman wrestling with her own contradictions.
“Ice Queen” or Modern Heroine?
British critics, not always generous toward French figures, have nonetheless recognized Delpy’s talent. The Independent wrote: “Delpy steals the spotlight when it comes to revealing an inscrutable charm and an icy, cold queen (she is French, after all).”
The nickname “Ice Queen” has stuck to her character—a label that speaks volumes about how women in power are still perceived: cold, calculating, sometimes dehumanized. Yet Delpy’s nuanced performance cracks this façade. Behind the icy exterior lies vulnerability, solitude, and the crushing weight of responsibility.
This may be the true fascination of the series: a duel between two women that is not only about politics, but also about the condition of women at the highest levels of power.
A Storyline at the Crossroads of Contemporary Crises
Hostage is more than entertainment. Through its plot, the series explores pressing themes:
Post-Brexit tensions: How the UK seeks its place in a reshaped Europe.
Economic dependency: In this case pharmaceutical, echoing the fragility of global supply chains.
The rise of the far right: Vivienne Toussaint faces accusations of leaning toward extremist policies, a mirror of real debates in France.
Misogyny in politics: Both heroines are constantly scrutinized, undermined, and judged—a reflection of the very real obstacles women leaders face today.
These threads give the series resonance, even if its plausibility remains debatable.
Popular Success, Regardless of Criticism
Controversial or not, Hostage has already proven a hit. Number one on Netflix in both France and the UK, it sparks debates and conversations—the hallmark of series that matter.
Its creator, Matt Charman—already acclaimed for co-writing Bridge of Spies with Steven Spielberg—has expressed enthusiasm for a continuation. In an interview with Radio Times, he hinted at a possible season two: “I’d love to tell more of this story.”
Audiences seem willing to follow. Fascinated as much by the show’s flaws as by its energy, they let themselves be swept away by this imperfect yet addictive thriller.
Julie Delpy, Mirror of an Era
Why does Julie Delpy captivate so much in this role? Perhaps because she embodies the perfect mix of intellect, apparent coldness, and profound humanity that we project onto figures of power. She is not just an actress: she is also a writer, a director, a complete artist who has chosen to carve out her own path, outside the constraints of Hollywood.
In Hostage, she adds another layer: that of a Frenchwoman who, after decades of seducing American audiences, still holds true to a distinctly European artistic vision. A woman of culture who now embodies a woman of power.
Reading Between the Lines
So, should you watch Hostage? Yes—if you’re willing to be swept up in a political thriller unafraid of excess. Yes—especially for the captivating face-off between Julie Delpy and Suranne Jones. For while the script stretches credibility, the characters hit with remarkable intensity.
And perhaps that is the point: not so much political realism, but the mirror it holds up to our societies. Hostage questions the fragility of power, the ever-present shadow of blackmail, and the loneliness of women who climb to the highest offices.
Julie Delpy, cast as an “Ice Queen” almost against her will, reminds us that strength can coexist with vulnerability—a duality that resonates deeply with our times.
Final Word
Between Paris and London, between fiction and reality, Hostage shakes, irritates, but never leaves viewers indifferent. And if the series ended tomorrow, one certainty would remain: Julie Delpy has left her mark on this story. Actress, writer, free woman—she continues to intrigue, to surprise, and to make us think.
📌 FQM will continue to follow both the fate of this series and the exciting career of Julie Delpy. Stay tuned for more cultural insights and exclusive commentary.
Header Photo Credit: Des Willie/Netflix
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