Hostage Ending Explained: The Mastermind Behind the Kidnapping Plot and Abigail’s Fate Revealed
So, what happened to Prime Minister Abigail Dalton?
Warning: This page contains complete spoilers for the final episode of Hostage. *
Going into the last episode of Hostage, everything was on the line when a bomb exploded in 10 Downing Street, with some shocking implications for Abigail Dalton (Suranne Jones) and Vivienne Toussaint (Julie Delpy).
Things remained tight as the series' penultimate episode concluded, sending us into uncharted territory for the climax.
With it becoming all too apparent who exactly is at the heart of the plot to take down Abigail, it was also clear that he's only at the behest of bigger orders and a wider plan to disarm Abigail entirely.
Warning: This page contains complete spoilers for the final episode of Hostage. *
Going into the last episode of Hostage, everything was on the line when a bomb exploded in 10 Downing Street, with some shocking implications for Abigail Dalton (Suranne Jones) and Vivienne Toussaint (Julie Delpy).
Things remained tight as the series' penultimate episode concluded, sending us into uncharted territory for the climax.
With it becoming all too apparent who exactly is at the heart of the plot to take down Abigail, it was also clear that he's only at the behest of bigger orders and a wider plan to disarm Abigail entirely.
But who is orchestrating this nefarious plan? How does Abigail's and her family's story end? One thing is certain: Abigail and her loved ones' lives come to an unexpected end, perhaps not in the way you might think.
Continue reading for a detailed breakdown of the Hostage finale, as well as more insights from the cast and series creator/writer Matt Charman.
Who was behind the kidnapping operation, as revealed in the hostage ending?
The climax begins with a flashback to many years earlier, when Abigail and Alex (Ashley Thomas) are giving a birthday celebration for young Sylvie.
Continue reading for a detailed breakdown of the Hostage finale, as well as more insights from the cast and series creator/writer Matt Charman.
Who was behind the kidnapping operation, as revealed in the hostage ending?
The climax begins with a flashback to many years earlier, when Abigail and Alex (Ashley Thomas) are giving a birthday celebration for young Sylvie.
It's cut short by a surprising phone call, which Abigail, who was a junior minister at the Foreign Office at the time, answers in private. She is warned that a growing situation in Belize requires a fast decision on the evacuation of British troops.
As the most senior minister available, she is told that her permission is required to leave behind the Belizean residents who have been supporting British forces. Despite the fact that it is a difficult decision that could end in the deaths of the locals, she orders that the British jets take off as soon as possible.
As the most senior minister available, she is told that her permission is required to leave behind the Belizean residents who have been supporting British forces. Despite the fact that it is a difficult decision that could end in the deaths of the locals, she orders that the British jets take off as soon as possible.
Shagan's (Martin McCann) attempt to blow up Downing Street was a rash decision that was not approved by General Livingstone (Mark Lewis Jones), the man in charge of the operation.
In a heated phone call, it is revealed that Livingstone has been plotting Abigail's downfall for months. He acknowledges that, while he never wished her dead, he did want her out of the way.
Shagan's plans to leave the nation change as he discovers Abigail is still alive. Saskia (Sophie Robertson) becomes increasingly perplexed about the plan's direction, especially given that Shagan lied about the orders to blow up Downing Street.
In a heated phone call, it is revealed that Livingstone has been plotting Abigail's downfall for months. He acknowledges that, while he never wished her dead, he did want her out of the way.
Shagan's plans to leave the nation change as he discovers Abigail is still alive. Saskia (Sophie Robertson) becomes increasingly perplexed about the plan's direction, especially given that Shagan lied about the orders to blow up Downing Street.
Plans are made to evacuate Alex and Sylvie to a safe area with Matheo (Corey Mylchreest), who has a home that a friend has mentioned he may use. Once they've left, Abigail reassembles her squad (Ayesha, Zadie, Tristan, and Kofi), seeing that this has always been a coup.
When they start looking into things, they discover a connection between Shagan and Livingstone, with Abigail recognising Shagan from the press conference before the bomb burst and Ayesha recognising him from CCTV footage of the riots.
When they start looking into things, they discover a connection between Shagan and Livingstone, with Abigail recognising Shagan from the press conference before the bomb burst and Ayesha recognising him from CCTV footage of the riots.
They learn that Shagan was a soldier posted to Belize who was medically downgraded owing to mental health issues and despair. Abigail informs her squad of her orders to remove troops, but she feels guilty about leaving civilians behind. But, knowing Shagan wouldn't have been able to pull off this entire operation on his own, they quickly realize Livingstone was his commanding officer in Belize.
Abigail and her colleagues head to the Ministry of Defence to confront Livingstone, who implicates himself by disclosing information about the laptop. He argues that it's all due to his growing dissatisfaction with Abigail's military budget cuts, which, in his view, leave the UK "exposed and vulnerable".
Abigail and her colleagues head to the Ministry of Defence to confront Livingstone, who implicates himself by disclosing information about the laptop. He argues that it's all due to his growing dissatisfaction with Abigail's military budget cuts, which, in his view, leave the UK "exposed and vulnerable".
Ogilvy, the interim prime minister, orders Livingstone's removal and custody.
Shagan and Saskia storm into the hidden mansion and take Alex, Sylvie, and Matheo captive. Shagan forces Alex to phone Abigail so that he can order her to join them at the house. As Saskia arrives, she discovers that Matheo has made a silent 999 call, and the two fight, allowing Sylvie to flee. A police squad is sent, but Saskia gladly passes over the phone to Matheo and flees.
Shagan and Saskia storm into the hidden mansion and take Alex, Sylvie, and Matheo captive. Shagan forces Alex to phone Abigail so that he can order her to join them at the house. As Saskia arrives, she discovers that Matheo has made a silent 999 call, and the two fight, allowing Sylvie to flee. A police squad is sent, but Saskia gladly passes over the phone to Matheo and flees.
So, what happens to Abigail?
When Abigail enters the living room, Shagan is holding Alex at knifepoint, and Shagan explains why he wants Abigail dead. He informs her that his fiancée was a local interpreter in Belize who was left behind to be shot and assassinated at the request of the local government while she was six months pregnant.
When the cops come, Alex rushes at Shagan, attempting to remove the knife from his grasp. Abigail pleads for aid as armed cops approach the house, but Sylvie is spotted approaching the room with the revolver she stole from Saskia.
When Abigail enters the living room, Shagan is holding Alex at knifepoint, and Shagan explains why he wants Abigail dead. He informs her that his fiancée was a local interpreter in Belize who was left behind to be shot and assassinated at the request of the local government while she was six months pregnant.
When the cops come, Alex rushes at Shagan, attempting to remove the knife from his grasp. Abigail pleads for aid as armed cops approach the house, but Sylvie is spotted approaching the room with the revolver she stole from Saskia.
She bursts in with the gun pointed at Shagan, who starts pressuring her to shoot him. He admits to killing her grandfather (James Cosmo) and keeps taunting her about it, prompting Sylvie to shoot him. We are shocked to see the cops enter the room and handcuff Sylvie, leaving her shaking. Abigail and Alex see Shagan's final breath.
Regarding Sylvie's surprise shooting of Shagan, Jones stated: "When you come to the end, what occurs with Sylvie is startling because the cost of what Abigail and her family have had to go through for what she wants to achieve for the country and not stand up to terrorists is huge. But she didn't give up; she's a warrior.
"I think we will judge her because she's a woman and the choices that she makes in this, but I also think that's really interesting."
Three months later, Abigail and her family appear to be doing well as she prepares to make an official announcement outside Downing Street.
"I think we will judge her because she's a woman and the choices that she makes in this, but I also think that's really interesting."
Three months later, Abigail and her family appear to be doing well as she prepares to make an official announcement outside Downing Street.
After seeking comfort from her husband and daughter, she sets out to convey the news that she would call a general election in order to generate a new mandate to help fix the country and foster greater transparency between her and the public.
Who dies in the conclusion of Hostage?
The climax begins with the news that Vivienne was killed in the explosion at Downing Street, but by the end, Shagan has also perished at the hands of Sylvie.
While some viewers may doubt if he is truly dead, series creator Matt Charman assures us that he believes Shagan is gone for good.
Who dies in the conclusion of Hostage?
The climax begins with the news that Vivienne was killed in the explosion at Downing Street, but by the end, Shagan has also perished at the hands of Sylvie.
While some viewers may doubt if he is truly dead, series creator Matt Charman assures us that he believes Shagan is gone for good.
It was absolutely purposeful around Sylvie because, to be honest, I believe those ripples never cease.
"If you do something, if you do something that fully crosses a boundary as a human being, there's no end to the trauma or the sense of who you are now and who you were before. It would be interesting to investigate what that does to a person as they enter maturity."
"If you do something, if you do something that fully crosses a boundary as a human being, there's no end to the trauma or the sense of who you are now and who you were before. It would be interesting to investigate what that does to a person as they enter maturity."