Wait, so who were the villains in Hostage? That twisted ending, explained.

Netflix's latest miniseries, Hostage, has quickly captured the attention of viewers. Debuting at the top of the streaming charts, the five-part series stars Suranne Jones as newly appointed British Prime Minister Abigail Dalton, and Julie Delpy as Vivienne Toussaint, the French President.

The story takes place at a high-stakes summit as Dalton's husband, a doctor on a humanitarian mission in French Guiana, is kidnapped. Simultaneously, President Toussaint finds herself the target of blackmail over a compromising video that showed her in bed with her stepson, Matheo Lewis. Sacré bleu!

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Forced into an uneasy alliance, these two powerful leaders and political rivals must navigate national security concerns as they attempt to uncover a conspiracy that threatens them both.

The cast also includes Corey Mylchreest as Toussaint's stepson, Ashley Thomas as the kidnapped husband, and Martin McCann as the leader of the kidnappers.

Despite getting mixed reviews — albeit with critics agreeing that Suranne Jones successfully pulls it off — the show's fast-paced plot and constant twists have made it a bingeworthy hit.

Suranne Jones never misses. #HostageNetflix pic.twitter.com/2g3XQIEbj1

— Netflix UK & Ireland (@NetflixUK) August 24, 2025

But what about THAT ending? This is exactly what the twist ending means.

How does Hostage on Netflix end?

The finale of Hostage reveals that the kidnapping and blackmail have been orchestrated by disillusioned former military figures, including General Livingston (Mark Lewis Jones) and ex-soldier John Shagan (McCann).

Their motive? To destabilise the government and reverse Prime Minister Dalton's defence budget cuts. However, Shagan has also held a deeply personal grudge against Dalton for a past military decision in Belize, which ultimately led to the death of his pregnant fiancée.

In a final, tense confrontation, Dalton's teenage daughter, Sylvie, shoots and kills Shagan to save her parents. While her parents urge her not to shoot, Shagan's taunt about murdering her grandfather pushes her over the edge.

Image: Netflix.

The show's creator, Matt Charman, told Radio Times this was intentional, suggesting that the "ripples" of such a traumatic event would be a rich area to explore. This has led to talk of a potential second season.

Saskia Morgan — a former British Army Corporal whose battalion was disbanded due to Prime Minister Dalton's military budget cuts — is a key operative in the conspiracy at the heart of the series.

Working directly with John Shagan and General Livingston, Saskia's role is to get close to the French President, Vivienne Toussaint, which she does by starting a relationship with Toussaint's stepson, Matheo Lewis.

Saskia deliberately leaves her laptop behind for Matheo to find, knowing he will take it to his stepmother as evidence. The laptop is rigged with a bomb, which detonates at 10 Downing Street, killing Toussaint.

However, the co-conspirator's fate is left unresolved. After being overpowered by Matheo, Saskia flees the final confrontation.

Image: Netflix.

The ending flashes forward three months, showing a resilient Dalton, supported by her family, back in the Prime Minister's office. She addresses the nation, quoting the late President Toussaint on the importance of honesty, and calls for a general election.

What does the ending of Hostage mean?

There are several clues woven throughout Hostage that point toward the military's involvement in the conspiracy long before the final reveal.

For instance, the abduction of the Prime Minister's husband is executed with military precision. The kidnappers are highly organised and use sophisticated tactics, which suggest a background beyond that of a typical terrorist or criminal group.

From his first appearance, John Shagan displays the training and efficiency of a soldier. His ability to coordinate attacks, manage his tea, and remain calm under pressure suggest that he comes from a military background.

Image: Netflix.

Early in the series, it's established that General Livingston, the Chief of the Defence Staff, is vehemently opposed to Prime Minister Dalton's proposed cuts to the military budget. It's an early indicator of his motive for wanting Dalton removed from power.

Another clue is the flashback to Dalton's time as a junior minister, where she makes the difficult decision to evacuate British troops from Belize while leaving local allies behind. Shagan's pregnant fiancée is among the allies left behind, which proves to be his motive for revenge.

The ending encapsulates Dalton's transformation into a stronger, more honest leader. As the series concludes in the aftermath of President Toussaint's death, Dalton is moving forward with a renewed sense of purpose.

Some online commenters have highlighted that the ending proves that the show's title, Hostage, has a higher meaning than just the kidnapping plot. They argue that while the title Hostage initially refers to the literal kidnapping of Dalton's husband, it could also symbolise how the leaders are held hostage by their past decisions and the dark secrets they have kept.

Hostage is streaming now on Netflix.

Feature image: Netflix.