If you are a movie enthusiast who loves thrillers, you might have heard of Hijack, the new web series that premiered on Apple TV+ on June 28, 2023. The series stars Idris Elba as Sam Nelson, an accomplished negotiator who is called in to help when a plane from Dubai to London is hijacked by a group of armed criminals.
The series, created by Jim Field Smith and George Kay, unfolds in real time, following the journey of the hijacked plane and the authorities on the ground who scramble for answers. Sam Nelson, who just so happens to be on board, uses his cunning and skills to try to rescue the lives of the travellers while also resolving his own personal problems.
Hijack is a tense thriller that explores the themes of terrorism, morality, loyalty and survival. The series features a stellar cast that includes Neil Maskell as Stuart Atterton, the leader of the hijackers, Max Beesley as Daniel O’Farrell, a former soldier who assists Sam, Ben Miles as Captain Robin Allen, the pilot of the plane, and Kaisa Hammarlund as Anna Kovacs, a flight attendant who becomes a key ally for Sam.
We’ll give you a general overview of the programme in this article, together with details about its cast, crew, reviews, and scheduling. We’ll also talk about some fascinating facts and details about the programme that you might be unaware of.
So buckle up and be ready for a bumpy trip!
What is Hijack about?
This seven-episode series starts with terrorists hijacking a plane during its seven-hour journey from Dubai to London. The series is told in real time, meaning that each episode covers one hour of the flight.
The series begins with Sam Nelson (Idris Elba), a successful negotiator in the business world, boarding the Kingdom Airlines flight KA29 at the last minute. He is going to London for a crucial meeting, but he also needs to resolve some personal issues.
Five people get out of their seats shortly after takeoff, each carrying a weapon, and seize control of the aircraft. They gain access to the cockpit and subdue the captain (Ben Miles), and walk around the cabin yelling loudly at the passengers to stay in their seats and not make any sudden moves.
The hijackers are led by Stuart Atterton (Neil Maskell), a ruthless criminal who has a personal vendetta against someone on board. He demands that his accomplices on the ground release his brother from prison, or he will kill one passenger every hour until they comply.
Sam Nelson, who has some experience in dealing with hostage situations, decides to intervene and try to negotiate with the hijackers. He manages to win their trust by pretending to be on their side, but he also secretly communicates with the authorities on the ground through a covert message.
Sam quickly realises that he is caught in a complicated web of lies and secrets in addition to a deadly position. He discovers that some of the passengers and crew members have hidden agendas and connections to the hijackers. He discovers that the hijacking is more complicated than first appears.
As the flight progresses, Sam faces many challenges and risks. He has to balance his loyalty to his fellow passengers with his own survival instincts. He has to outsmart and outwit the hijackers while also keeping them calm and cooperative. He has to deal with his own emotions and conflicts while also trying to save lives.
Will Sam be able to stop the hijackers and save everyone on board? What are their true motives and plans? Whom can he rely on and whom should he doubt?? How will he handle his personal problems? These are some of the questions that Hijack will answer in its thrilling seven-hour journey.
Who are behind Hijack?
Hijack is created by Jim Field Smith and George Kay, who are also executive producers of the series. Jim Field Smith is an English filmmaker, writer, and producer who has contributed to films like The Wrong Mans (2013–2014) and She’s Out of My League (2010). George Kay is a British writer and producer who has worked on shows such as Criminal (2019-2020) and Lupin (2021).
The series is directed by Jim Field Smith himself, along with Daniel O’Hara and Jon East. Irish director Daniel O’Hara has contributed to programmes like Doctor Who (2005–2021) and The Umbrella Academy (2019–2020). English director Jon East has helmed programmes like Killing Eve (2018–2021) and Downton Abbey (2010–2015).
The series is written by George Kay, along with Ben Schiffer, Laura Lomas and Chinonyerem Odimba. Ben Schiffer is a British writer who has worked on shows such as Skins (2007-2013) and The End of the F***ing World (2017-2019). Laura Lomas is a British writer who has worked on shows such as The Trial of Christine Keeler (2019) and The Salisbury Poisonings (2020). Chinonyerem Odimba is a British-Nigerian writer who has worked on shows such as Ackley Bridge (2017-2021) and The Long Song (2018).
The series is produced by Apple TV+ in association with Endeavor Content, Dancing Ledge Productions and Idiotlamp Productions. Apple TV+ is a streaming service that offers original content from Apple. Endeavor Content is a production and distribution company that is part of the Endeavor Group. Dancing Ledge Productions is a production company founded by Laurence Bowen, who is also an executive producer of Hijack. Idiotlamp Productions is a production company founded by Jim Field Smith, who is also an executive producer of Hijack.
Who are in Hijack?
Talented performers portray the roles of the passengers, crew, and hijackers on the plane as well as the authorities and other people on the ground in the film Hijack. let’s take a look at some of the main cast members and their roles:
Idris Elba as Sam Nelson: The protagonist of the series, Sam Nelson is an accomplished negotiator who is travelling to London for an important meeting. He decides to intervene and try to negotiate with the hijackers, using his skills and guile to save lives. He needs to resolve some personal issues as well. Idris Elba is a famous Bristish actor, producer and musician who is featured in the television series Luther (2010-2021), The Wire (2002-2008), and The Office (2005-2007), as well as the movie Thor (2011), Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom (2013), and Beasts of No Nation (2015).
Neil Maskell as Stuart Atterton: The antagonist of the series, Stuart Atterton is the leader of the hijackers who takes over the plane. He is a ruthless criminal who has a personal vendetta against someone on board. He demands that his accomplices on the ground release his brother from prison, or he will kill one passenger every hour until they comply. British actor Neil Maskell is recognised for his work in the motion pictures Kill List (2011), Utopia (2013–2014), and In Darkness (2018) as well as the television series Humans (2015–2018), The Mimic (2013–2014), and Top Boy (2011–2019).
Max Beesley as Daniel O’Farrell: A supporting character in the series, Daniel O’Farrell is a former soldier who assists Sam in his negotiation efforts. He has some military experience and skills that come in handy during the crisis. He also has some secrets that he hides from Sam and others. The television shows Suits (2011-2019), Mad Dogs (2011-2013), and Jamestown (2017-2019), as well as the motion pictures Glitter (2001), Torque (2004), and Hotel Babylon (2006-2009), are where British actor and musician Max Beesley is best known.
Ben Miles as Captain Robin Allen: A supporting character in the series, Captain Robin Allen is the pilot of the plane who gets subdued by the hijackers. He tries to maintain his calm and professionalism during the ordeal, but he also faces some dilemmas and challenges. Ben Miles is a famous British actor famous for his roles in the television series The Crown (2016–2020), the movie The Capture (2019), and movies like Speed Racer (2008), Ninja Assassin (2009), and V for Vendetta (2005).
Kaisa Hammarlund as Anna Kovacs: A supporting character in the series, Anna Kovacs is a flight attendant who becomes a key ally for Sam. She facilitates his interactions with local officials while also offering him some emotional support. She also has some personal issues that she deals with during the flight. Kaisa Hammarlund, a Swedish actress, is well-known for her parts in films including Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again (2018), Judy (2019) and The Danish Girl (2015), and shows such as Doctors (2000-2021), Holby City ( 2021) and The Tunnel (2013-2018).
In addition to these main cast members of Hijack, there are many more actors who play the roles of the other passengers, crew members, hijackers, authorities and other characters.
Some of them are Zora Bishop as Deevia Khan, a journalist who is on board the flight, Jeremy Ang Jones as Arthur, a hacker who works for the hijackers, Kate Phillips as Colette, a pregnant woman who is travelling with her husband, Jasper Britton as Terry, a businessman who is involved in some shady deals, Aimée Kelly as Jamie Constantinou, a young woman who is fleeing from an abusive relationship.
Mohamed Elsandel as Jaden, a teenager who is travelling with his mother, Holly Aird as Amanda, a wealthy socialite who is travelling with her lover, Justin Salinger as Alec, a doctor who tries to help the injured passengers, Gretchen Egolf as Adelaide, an American diplomat who has some important information, Jaimi Barbakoff as Susie, a flight attendant who is loyal to the captain, Harry Michell as Hugo, a nervous passenger who suffers from anxiety, Fatima Adoum as Rashida, a hijacker who has second thoughts about her actions, and Nasser Memarzia as Yussuf, a hijacker who is loyal to Stuart.
How is Hijack received?
Hijack has received positive reviews from critics and audiences alike, who praised its suspenseful plot, realistic action scenes, and strong performances. The series has been compared to other popular shows such as 24, Homeland and Money Heist.
1.7K user ratings on IMDb give the show a 7.6/10 grade.. It also has ratings of 86% based on 14 critic reviews and 91% based on 88 user ratings on Rotten Tomatoes.
Where can you watch Hijack?
It is available to watch on Apple TV+ with a subscription. Apple TV+ is a streaming service that offers original content from Apple. It is available to view on any devices that support Apple TV+ which include iPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple TV, and smart TVs.
You can also watch it offline by downloading episodes to your device using the Apple TV app. You can download up to 25 episodes at a time per device.
You can watch the series in different languages and subtitles using the audio and subtitle settings on the Apple TV app. You can also watch Hijack with audio descriptions, which are narrations that describe what is happening on screen for the visually impaired.
You can watch the trailer of Hijack here. You can also watch behind-the-scenes of series, to discover more about the actors, crew, stage design, and show production.
Hijack Season 1 Episode Synopsis
Episode 1: Final Call
On a flight from Dubai to London, Sam Nelson (played by Idris Elba), a skilled business negotiator, finds himself facing an unexpected turn of events. The plane is hijacked by armed men who demand a meeting with the British Prime Minister. Sam, along with his son Kai (portrayed by Jude Cudjoe), attempts to utilize his expertise to diffuse the situation and establish communication with the hijackers. However, he soon realizes that he is in way over his head.
Episode 2: 3 Degrees
As the hijacked plane continues its course towards London, Sam discovers that the hijackers belong to a radical group known as the Sons of Liberty. Seeking vengeance for the death of their leader in a drone strike, they make a chilling threat to take the life of a passenger every hour until their demands are met. While Sam attempts to buy time and uncover the motives behind the hijacking, he also faces the daunting task of safeguarding his son and the other passengers. On the ground, DI Daniel O’Farrel (played by Max Beesley) and Alice Sinclair (portrayed by Eve Myles) lead an incident team, working tirelessly to locate the plane and negotiate with the hijackers.
Episode 3: Draw a Blank
Tension escalates on the hijacked plane as the hijackers execute their first victim, Zahra Gahfoor (played by Archie Panjabi), an investigative journalist who had been probing their organization. Witnessing this shocking act, Sam becomes enraged and determined to halt the hijackers by any means necessary. He devises a daring plan to take control of the cockpit with the help of fellow passengers, including Colette (portrayed by Kate Phillips), a flight attendant who holds affection for him. However, his plan takes an unexpected turn when he uncovers the presence of a mole among them.
Episode 4: Not Responding
Amidst a daring escape from the hijackers, Sam reaches the cockpit to find Captain Robin Allen (portrayed by Ben Miles) and First Officer Anna Kovacs (played by Kaisa Hammarlund) bound and injured. Sam frees them and attempts to establish communication with the ground, only to discover that the hijackers have jammed the aircraft’s communication system. Furthermore, he learns that the plane is running perilously low on fuel, leaving them with less than an hour to land safely. In a desperate move, Sam resorts to using his phone to send a message to his wife Marsha (portrayed by Christine Adams), an MI5 agent, hoping she can provide assistance.
Episode 5: Less Than an Hour
Marsha receives Sam’s urgent message and promptly alerts O’Farrel and Sinclair about the dire situation unfolding on the plane. Swiftly pinpointing the aircraft’s location, they dispatch fighter jets to escort it. Simultaneously, they strive to reestablish communication with Sam and persuade him to cooperate. However, Sam’s trust in them wavers as he suspects hidden motives. Moreover, he faces opposition from Allen and Kovacs, who fear landing in hostile territory.
Episode 6: Comply Slowly
Sam uncovers the true target of the hijackers—a clandestine military base in Scotland. Their intention is to crash the plane and trigger a catastrophic explosion. He further discovers that the Sons of Liberty are not acting alone but are part of a larger conspiracy involving high-ranking officials within the British government. Determined to expose their sinister plot and prevent the loss of innocent lives, Sam convinces Allen and Kovacs to redirect the plane towards Scotland. Meanwhile, he sets out to disarm the onboard bomb.
Episode 7: Brace Brace Brace
Through skill and bravery, Sam manages to defuse the bomb and overpower the remaining hijackers. However, one final obstacle stands in his way—Stuart (played by Neil Maskell), the mole who betrayed him. Stuart reveals his true identity as an undercover agent working for Gu Ja-woon (portrayed by Ji Jin-hee), a corrupt legal officer at the heart of the conspiracy. Attempting to eliminate Sam, Stuart finds himself on the receiving end of Sam’s resistance, leading to his demise. Sam contacts O’Farrel and Sinclair, who inform him of Ja-woon’s arrest and the clearance of a runway for a safe landing. Grateful for their assistance, Sam prepares for landing, all the while holding tightly to his son’s hand.
What are some interesting trivia and facts about Hijack?
Hijack is chock-full of intriguing trivia and little-known facts. Here are a few examples:
- The plot of the story was influenced by actual occurrences, including the kidnapping of Air France Flight 139 in 1976, TWA Flight 847 in 1985, and Air France Flight 8969 in 1994. The creators of the series did extensive research on these and other hijacking incidents to make the series as realistic and authentic as possible.
- This series is filmed entirely in England, using a full-scale replica of an Airbus A330 that was built for the series. A working cockpit, first-class, business-class, economy-class, galley and lavatory are all included in the reproduction. The replica also has hydraulic systems that allow it to tilt and shake to simulate turbulence and movement.
- Hijack is told in real time, meaning that each episode covers one hour of the flight. The series also uses split screens and multiple cameras to show different perspectives and locations at the same time. The series also uses a countdown clock to show how much time is left until the flight lands or crashes.
- A diverse group of performers portray the passengers, flight attendants, and hijackers in the film hijack. The cast include actors from a number of countries, including England, Sweden, Nigeria, France, Algeria, Morocco, and Iran.. The cast also includes actors from different backgrounds, such as journalism, medicine, diplomacy, business and military.
- Hijack is one of the first series to star Idris Elba as a lead character.
In conclusion, Hijack is a new web series that premiered on Apple TV+ on June 28, 2023. The series stars Idris Elba as Sam Nelson, an accomplished negotiator who is called in to help when a plane from Dubai to London is hijacked by a group of armed criminals.
The series unfolds in real time, following the journey of the hijacked plane and the authorities on the ground who scramble for answers. Sam Nelson manages his own problems while using his abilities and cunning to try to rescue the lives of the passengers.
Hijack is a tense thriller that explores the themes of terrorism, morality, loyalty and survival. The series features a stellar cast that includes Neil Maskell as Stuart Atterton, the leader of the hijackers, Max Beesley as Daniel O’Farrell, a former soldier who assists Sam, Ben Miles as Captain Robin Allen, the pilot of the plane, and Kaisa Hammarlund as Anna Kovacs, a flight attendant who becomes a key ally for Sam.
Hijack has received positive reviews from critics and audiences alike, who praised its suspenseful plot, realistic action scenes, and strong performances. The series has been compared to other popular shows such as 24, Homeland and Money Heist.
Hijack is available to watch on Apple TV+ with a subscription. Any Apple TV+-enabled device, such as the iPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple TV, and smart TVs, may watch Hijack. You can also watch Hijack offline by downloading episodes to your device using the Apple TV app.
A lot of interesting information and trivia may be found in this series. Hijack, for instance, was influenced by actual occurrences like the hijacking of Air France Flight 139 in 1976, TWA Flight 847 in 1985, and Air France Flight 8969 in 1994. The creators of the series did extensive research on these and other hijacking incidents to make the series as realistic and authentic as possible.
Hijack is a movie you won’t want to miss if you enjoy thrillers at the theatre. You’ll be on the edge of your seat for seven hours watching one of the best web series of 2023.
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