Season 1 – American Hostage

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84%

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19 Reviews

91%

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50+ Ratings

Fred Heckman, a beloved local radio reporter, is thrust into the middle of a life-or-death crisis when hostage-taker Tony Kiritsis demands to be interviewed on his popular radio news program.

Critics Consensus

Though this rehashed bit of history may not seem ripe for a retelling, American Hostage benefits from the always excellent John Hamm and a game Giovanni Ribisi in a production that more than justifies its existence.

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Daniel Fienberg

The Hollywood Reporter

Sep 28, 2026

There’s so much potential in American Hostage, mostly squandered.

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John Anderson

Wall Street Journal

Sep 24, 2026

The performances by Messrs. Hamm and Ribisi couldn’t be more disparate. One is chamber music, the other death metal.

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Jared Richards

The Age (Australia)

Sep 17, 2026

3/5

[The] weariness builds throughout American Hostage, with Hamm’s minute expressions – used so well in Mad Men – revealing an inner turmoil that, while fascinating, probably could have been conveyed in five episodes rather than eight.

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Susan Granger

SSG Syndicate

6 days ago

7/10

Once again, Jon Hamm delivers a riveting performance - and this stranger-than-fiction real-life premise is intriguing but the agonizing, drawn-out standoff goes on far too long; the pacing is tedious.

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Allyson Johnson

But Why Tho?

Oct 20, 2026

5.5/10

American Hostage has all of the parts to make a solid drama. But it lacks passion, and the result is, unfortunately, boring.

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Kyle Wolfe

Pop Culture Leftovers

Oct 12, 2026

True stories rarely stay confined to a single interpretation, and American Hostage arrives with the challenge of dramatizing one that only recently hit the screen.

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Amanda C

@Anncamp 2 hrs ago

Jon Hamm is a joy to watch in this serious role. A little known historical event that is enthralling.

Kelly M

@RT34799028 22 hrs ago

Insanely good. A riveting portrayal of that crazy son of a bitch. “A plus, Baby!!!”

Michael S

@RT90266723 3 days ago

Started off well, but then like a lot of US series, just gets drawn out with too much filler. Wish we made more shows like the UK, less episodes, meaningful story lines that make sense. BTW go watch Dead Man's wire. Same story, under 2 hours, 10x better.

jstar E

@jstaronthemove 5 days ago

stumbled upon this thanks to social media and just WOW! seriously loving the era aura and the acting is top notch! good grief fomo on that set design! give me that mortgage office and ibby's home too! (are those real places?) gotta say of course I expected jon hamm to be great, but everyone is really doing it right. I would like to see a little more of the interesting dynamic between the 2 wives. got suprisingly teary in an emo moment. giovanni ribisi is such high caliber. only he or joauqin phoenix could do this troubled soul role right!

Jason C

@Makeitmakesense Oct 19, 2026

It's good but probably could have been told in 3 episodes or like a 2.5hr movie. Lots of filler.

I F

@RT11494961 Oct 18, 2026

Love everything about. Actors, Directing, Costumes & Locations - all great. But PRODUCTION is superb. Atmosphere is great. It's like I am there. A Unique thing in our times.

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Adam Arkin

Director

Nina Lopez-Corrado

Director

Jon Hamm

Fred Heckman

Giovanni Ribisi

Tony Kiritsis

Kristoffer Polaha

Dick Hall

William Jackson Harper

Ben Hairston

Episode 1

Aired Sep 20, 2026

My Town Indy

WIBC News Director Fred Heckman gets the story of his career when a hostage-taker, Tony Kiritsis, demands to be interviewed live on air; Fred must decide whether to air the explosive interview.

Details

Episode 2

Aired Sep 20, 2026

McMahon, Martinis & Madness

Fred has a groundbreaking on-air interview with Tony, only to find himself pulled further and further away from his role as news director.

Details

Episode 3

Aired Sep 27, 2026

Magic Ticket Sweepstakes

When a report from WIBC sends Tony into a deadly spiral, Fred is forced to embrace the role of hostage negotiator to prolong Dick's life.

Details

Episode 4

Aired Oct 4, 2026

A Taste of Indianapolis

Fred, in trying to talk Tony through a dark period of despondency, ends up revealing deep personal truths that have repercussions for his marriage.

Details

Episode 5

Aired Oct 11, 2026

WIBC Mystery Science Theater

Fred is pushed to the brink as he waits to see whether Tony will accept the DA's immunity offer; a moment of connection between him and FBI Special Agent McNally shifts into a tense game of cat and mouse, and Fred must face a moral reckoning.

Details

Episode 6

Aired Oct 18, 2026

Moon News and Markets

Fred wrestles with selling the false immunity agreement to Tony over the air, taking the story back to 1972.

Details

Episode 7

Aired Oct 25, 2026

Tomorrow Is Here

Having sold the lie of immunity on-air and successfully convinced Tony to sign the agreement, Fred now finds himself shut out of law enforcement's plans to bring this crisis to an end today, one way or another.

Details

Episode 8

Airs Nov 1

Break the Bank

Fred must do everything he can to keep Tony alive when they're thrust into the spotlight.

Details

American Hostage: Season 1 Trailer

2:36

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American Hostage: Season 1 Episode 1 Exclusive Sneak Peek - Antenna

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Director: Adam Arkin, Nina Lopez-Corrado
Executive Producer: Adam Arkin
Network: MGM+
Genre: Crime, Mystery & Thriller
Original Language: English
Release Date: Sep 20, 2026

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Season 1 – American Hostage

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