Hostage
BBC iPlayer In Development
The rise of a violent rogue state and the journalists who disappeared. Loyalty and coercion collide in Islamic State Group's chilling kidnap of James Foley and John Cantlie.
Where to Watch:
BBC iPlayer
Next Air Time: Tue, Mar 3 2026 6:00 AM GMT+0000
Seasons & Episodes
Season 1
3 episodes
E01
Episode 1
Tue, Mar 3 2026 6:00 AM GMT+0000
58 min
In 2012, photojournalists John Cantlie and James Foley chase a scoop in Syria, but their reporting draws the attention of jihadists, and the net closes in on them.
E02
Episode 2
Tue, Mar 3 2026 6:00 AM GMT+0000
58 min
The kidnap of John and James sparks a perilous manhunt as Islamic State emerges, more journalists join them in captivity and survival becomes a desperate struggle.
E03
Episode 3
Tue, Mar 3 2026 6:00 AM GMT+0000
59 min
After the murder of James shocks the world, John appears online in Islamic State videos, raising chilling questions about loyalty, coercion, and survival.