Political games turn perilous for Julie Delpy and Suranne Jones in ‘Hostage’

LONDON – Only a few people know what it’s like to stand outside 10 Downing Street and address the world’s media.

Suranne Jones and Julie Delpy may not be real-life politicians, but they take on the roles of adversarial political leaders in the thrilling miniseries “Hostage.” The series, created by Matt Charman and launching on Netflix this Thursday, centers on No. 10 Downing Street, which serves as both the residence and office of the British Prime Minister.

In the show, set during an intense Anglo-French summit, Jones portrays British Prime Minister Abigail Dalton, who is known for her authoritative fashion style, while Delpy plays the impeccably polished French President Vivienne Toussaint, recognized by her signature red lipstick. With the additional cast of Ashley Thomas, Corey Mylchreest, and Lucian Msamati, the storyline reveals both leaders managing their powerful positions alongside personal upheavals: Dalton’s spouse is abducted, and Toussaint faces a potentially career-ending scandal.

“Delivering speeches was the toughest part of shooting,” shares Delpy, who delivered her lines from behind a podium on a detailed set replicating Downing Street. “It felt as nerve-wracking as doing it for real,” she admits.

For Jones, her character also had to address the House of Commons amid the typical chaos of British politics, where parliament members often shout over one another to dominate the discussion.

When the extras began their shouting, Jones found herself forgetting her lines, needing another take to adjust to the quieter surroundings without interruptions, which felt odd after getting used to the commotion.

And words are weapons in this thriller, as negotiations veer between solidarity and betrayal.

“Every word is closely analyzed,” Delpy notes about the pressure of political speechwriting, explaining that any choice of terminology can be pounced upon by the media. “In our industry, the scrutiny is present but nowhere near as intense as that experienced by politicians,” she concludes.

Delpy and Jones sat down with The Associated Press to talk about politicians and power pants. Remarks have been edited for clarity and brevity.

AP: How do you think France will feel about you being president?

DELPY: I think they might get upset, I don’t know, at my representation — no I’m joking — of a French president with a sex scandal and all that. I don’t know, French are not very big on judging sex scandals with people. I don’t think it works in France, like it works everywhere else, but not in France so much. Like they don’t care when a president has an affair. It’s more the politics.

AP: These aren’t specific politicians, but you did research and speak to female politicians. What did you learn?

JONES: I wanted to talk to loads of women that were in it and from lots of different parties as well. So some on the phone, some were in person. I interviewed a couple of people high in power. We went to the Commons, watched the PMQs (Prime Minister’s Questions), felt the atmosphere, walked the halls, talked to the speaker. And it was all, it was all so … to be in the world that I know nothing about. I’ve been invited as a creative or a celebrity, but to actually talk to people about the balance and the cost of what it takes and what it does to your kids … that was really helpful.

DELPY: I’ve listened to a lot of politicians about their life, about what it’s been like after they were in power and stuff and the pressure and stuff, but I didn’t want to inspire myself on someone specific so there’s no reference. It’s like, “Oh, she’s like the blah blah blah or she’s like so.” I made her different than some French women politician that would be the obvious persons to be inspired by.

AP: These characters are in power and they are holding on to it. How do you use your own power in your life?

JONES: I feel like I sometimes put power pants on, do you know what I mean? Because actually I also quite like to hide away. So I like the duality of power, which Abigail doesn’t have that choice really. But, so I like to go, “Right today. … I’m going to use it for good.” Or I need it as energy, so I have power pants, but I like to take them on and off.

AP: Can I establish, when you say pants — do you mean English pants (underwear) or American pants (trousers)?

JONES: Big knickers. Yeah, power knickers, what about you? You got any power pants?

DELPY: No, I don’t know. It’s funny. I was thinking of a joke I made years ago about like how when women are directors, they have to wear fatigues, not like literal, you know. If you go direct a movie wearing a dress, people don’t take you as seriously. But it’s kind of a joke on, you know, the power thing.

JONES: But it’s the same thing, isn’t it?

DELPY: Yeah and I think I’ve noticed that … if you give a vibe that’s more in charge, I think people have a certain respect.

AP: So you both, like your characters, put a lot of thought into what you are wearing?

JONES: What you’re wearing emotionally that day, what you’re giving out, what you’re putting on. … And wearing the heels to make yourself taller, wearing the shoulders to not feminize yourself in that historically masculine situation. So yeah, all of that comes into play.

DELPY: Toussaint, for me, it was important that she was really pristine all the time. And we talk about the white coat, that she has never put lipstick on a white coat. I would put lipstick on my white coat in 10 seconds. But she’s like really the kind of person they will never be, you know, she’ll never be walking like this (folds over her lapel) into a room…

JONES: With a lapel up! Julie on the other hand, definitely.

DELPY: And I’ll step in a hole and fall.