Netflix star Julie Delpy says she'd 'cry all the time' if she did one job

One of the stars of Netflix's upcoming thriller Hostage has revealed details about their character in the five-part drama, reports the Manchester Evening News.

Hollywood actress Julie Delpy portrays French President Vivienne Toussaint in the series, with her character adopting increasingly right-wing policies to placate her adversaries and maintain her grip on power.

The Before Sunset star pondered the enormous pressures confronting real-world politicians, confessing she would never venture into politics herself.

At a recent London premiere of Hostage, the 55 year old French-American performer told journalists including Reach Screen Time: "I guess there's a lot of pressure from outside, people who are pressuring [those] who believe in something."

The actress, writer and director added: "[Politicians] know a lot of stuff they want to do is influenced probably by big businesses."

"In the US, it's definitely a lobbying system officially affecting politics, but I think for every president things come into play that is more than what you as an individual would like to be, and I think the character of Toussaint has gone really far."

Discussing politicians who compromise their principles to stay in office, Delpy remarked: "Also, I think if you have ethics as a human being and you become a powerful person, who has to do things that are against what they believe in, it must be heartbreaking sometimes.

"You always have to disassociate the human being that you are and the powerful person, who has to also comply to maybe people above you.

"It's such big businesses in play right now, and presidents have to comply to others probably. I would cry all the time."

She said she would "hate" to be the president in real-life, explaining: "It's like the pressure of making decisions, of doing the right thing or the wrong thing."

She added: "It's very interesting as someone who makes big decisions, how much you think of it."

Hostage centres on a fictional British Prime Minister (portrayed by Suranne Jones), whose allegiance to her country faces the ultimate challenge when her spouse is abducted and her resignation demanded.

Simultaneously, French leader Toussaint finds herself caught up in a blackmail controversy.

The pair will unite in an attempt to confront their shared adversary with everything at stake, including their political futures.

Viewers will remain on the edge of their seats right until the final moments with plenty of shocking revelations and unexpected developments throughout.

Hostage is released on Netflix on August 21