Security expert breaks down Hostage on Netflix, and how likely each twist is to really happen

After watching Hostage on Netflix, you might be wondering just how likely each of the terrible situations raised in the show actually are. Prime minster Abigail Dalton can’t seem to catch a break as her husband is kidnapped by terrorists, and then everything seems to spiral out of control.

The series follows the British prime minister as her husband is kidnapped while working as a doctor in French Guiana. Then, the French president starts receiving threats, and both leaders are forced to put their political agendas aside. The women have to try and help each other in the most impossible positions.

Basically, everything that happens is scary. And you would hope nothing that happens in Hostage on Netflix is actually likely to come true, but a security expert has shared how frightened we should realistically be. Speaking to Time Out, Ed Hill, global security specialist and CEO of Intrepid Protection, shared his thoughts.

via Netflix

Would the hostage situation actually happen?

Likelihood: 4/10

So the story all kicks off when Abigail’s doctor husband is kidnapped whilst on a job, alongside some fellow doctors. At first, it’s not clear what the motive for the kidnapping is, we can just very much tell it’s personal against Abigail.

Ed Hill said this situation was of quite low likelihood, mainly because of how advanced the UK’s security is. A terrorist would never really find themselves getting far enough to hold a political figure’s family member hostage, let alone request any sort of ransom.

“The UK has the best intelligence and security services in the world,’ he said. ‘It’s all about prevention rather than reaction. As a terrorist, you’d be really lucky to get that far.”

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Alex and Abigail both had very risky jobs

Likelihood: 7/10

What’s key to the overall plot is that Alex has a super important and risky job, just like his partner. This gave the terrorists an opportunity to kidnap him. Surprisingly, Ed Hill noted this was the part of Hostage on Netflix that was most likely in real life. Partners of politicians often do keep their day jobs. I guess both having high risk and scary jobs would be something to have in common?

Toussaint had a very intimate video of herself leaked

Likelihood: 2/10

via Netflix

Just when we thought things can’t get any worse, French president Vivienne Toussaint had a video of her in bed with her step-son sent to her, with a threat of it being leaked if she didn’t call off any French help in the rescue mission. Again, this is quite unlikely.

Ed Hill noted that following the phone hacking scandal, which saw the personal phones of high-profile politicians and members of the royal family compromised, phone security has upped its game. He said: “We’re talking about a level of protective measures most of us won’t be familiar with. We wouldn’t go into Phones 4u and get a normal SIM card.”

The bunkers and panic rooms added to the drama, but aren’t that realistic

Likelihood: 5/10

via Netflix

Amid all the chaos, one of the most exciting parts was seeing Dalton and the other characters disappear into secret panic rooms and underground bunkers. But, the reality of this is much more logical, and much less Netflix.

Ed explained high-profile people don’t always have special rooms for attacks, but more likely have designated rooms that double up for this. For example, a bedroom with “fortified doors, an alarm system and enough comforts to last until emergency services arrive.”

Could that guy have really just waltzed into Downing Street no questions asked?

Likelihood: 1/10

Arguably, one of the most alarming parts of the show was when a terrorist just casually faked a press pass, and walked onto Downing Street. There, he was able to be part of a press conference, in the flesh. A bomb had been placed in Number 10, which he was then able to activate at exactly the right moment.

via Netflix

But, speaking to Time Out, Ed Hill said this was probably the least real part of the show. To get a parliamentary media pass, a journalist must work for a legitimate media outlet recognised by the Parliamentary Press Gallery and undergo a Counter Terrorist Check.

“Even if people give us minimal or incorrect information, we have the resources to find out anything about anyone, especially if they’re involved in criminal activity,’ Ed said. “Background checks would be done to see if the individual is linked to bad guys, or is a bad guy themself. It makes for great viewing but it’s completely pie in the sky stuff.”

Hostage is available on Netflix now. For all the latest Netflix news and drops, like The Holy Church of Netflix on Facebook.