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The Diplomat is an American political thriller television series created by Debora Cahn. It premiered on Netflix on April 20, 2023. In May 2023, it was renewed for a second season, released on October 31, 2024.[1] Keri Russell was nominated for a Screen Actors Guild Award, Golden Globe Award for Best Actress in a Drama Series and Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series at the 75th Primetime Emmy Awards. In October 2024 the series was renewed for a third season.[2]
| The Diplomat | |
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| Genre | |
| Created by | Debora Cahn |
| Starring | |
| Music by |
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| Country of origin | United States |
| Original language | English |
| No. of seasons | 2 |
| No. of episodes | 14 |
| Production | |
| Executive producers |
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| Producers |
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| Cinematography |
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| Editors |
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| Running time | 44–56 minutes |
| Production companies |
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| Original release | |
| Network | Netflix |
| Release | April 20, 2023 – present |
The series centers on Kate Wyler, the new United States ambassador to the United Kingdom, as she helps to defuse an international crisis, forges strategic alliances and adjusts to her new place in the spotlight. She also manages her deteriorating marriage to fellow career diplomat Hal Wyler.
Main
- Keri Russell as Katherine "Kate" Wyler, newly appointed US ambassador to the UK
- Rufus Sewell as Hal Wyler, Kate's husband and former US ambassador to Lebanon, who struggles with his lack of a posting
- David Gyasi as Austin Dennison, UK Foreign Secretary
- Ali Ahn as Eidra Park, CIA station chief
- Rory Kinnear as Nicol Trowbridge, UK prime minister
- Ato Essandoh as Stuart Heyford, deputy chief of mission of the US embassy in London
Recurring
- Celia Imrie as Margaret Roylin, a former campaign manager of the Conservative Party
- Miguel Sandoval as Miguel Ganon, United States Secretary of State
- Nana Mensah as Billie Appiah, White House Chief of Staff
- Michael McKean as William Rayburn, President of the United States
- T'Nia Miller as Cecilia Dennison, Austin Dennison's sister
- Allison Janney as Grace Penn, Vice President of the United States (season 2)
Supporting
- Pearl Mackie as Alysse, US embassy receptionist
- Penny Downie as Frances Munning, Winfield House residence manager
- Christine Kavanagh as Gwen Hempill, UK Foreign Affairs Representative
- Jess Chanliau as Ronnie Buckhurst, US embassy officer
- Anna Francolini as Pippa
- Richard Dillane as Tom Libby, MI6 chief
- Rupert Vansittart as Julian Hoope
- David Bark-Jones as Alistair Kemper-Whaite
- Simon Chandler as Sir Merritt Grove MP
- Bhav Joshi as Anu Kapoor
- Bijan Daneshmand as Rasoul Shahin,[3] Iranian Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs
- Adam Silver as Howard
- Georgie Henley as Pensy
- Joey Eden as Dan
- Reza Diako as Basir
- Sharif Dorani as Parham Najjar, Iranian ambassador to the UK
- Dana Haqjoo as Farid Namazi, deputy Iranian ambassador to the UK
- John Schwab as Roger Post
- Micky Sébastian as Brielle Fournier, French Minister of the Interior
- Pandora Colin as Lydia Trowbridge
- Nancy Carroll as Philippa Pemberton, MI5 director general
Series overview
Season 1 (2023)
| No. overall | No. in season | Title | Directed by | Written by | Original release date | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1 | "The Cinderella Thing" | Simon Cellan Jones | Debora Cahn | April 20, 2023 | |
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Amid diplomatic tensions between the United States and Iran, a British aircraft carrier is attacked in the Persian Gulf, killing 41 sailors. Career diplomat Kate Wyler reluctantly accepts reassignment as the US ambassador to the UK on the request of US President William Rayburn and White House Chief of Staff Billie Appiah. Arriving in London with her diplomat husband Hal, she is introduced to deputy chief of mission Stuart Heyford and CIA station chief Eidra Park. Appiah asks Heyford to groom Wyler as a potential replacement for the US vice president. Wyler meets Foreign Secretary Austin Dennison and Prime Minister Nicol Trowbridge, who is concerned over Rayburn's hostile rhetoric towards Iran. Realizing that Hal arranged the meeting, Kate convinces Secretary of State Miguel Ganon to keep Rayburn from making statements for one day. The US mission discovers an Iranian military boat in the vicinity of the carrier around the time of the attack. After learning that Ganon is trying to fire her, Wyler agrees to a magazine shoot to boost her profile. Upon discovering that the Wylers are planning to divorce, Heyford discusses Kate's consideration for the vice presidency with Hal. Hal is drugged by unknown assailants and driven away. | ||||||
| 2 | 2 | "Don't Call It a Kidnapping" | Simon Cellan Jones | Peter Noah | April 20, 2023 | |
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Hal regains consciousness from being drugged and takes a phone call from the deputy foreign minister of Iran, Rasoul Shahin, an acquaintance who stresses that Iran is not the perpetrator of the attack. He claims that a planned assassination of a retired US general (in retaliation for the killing of Qasem Soleimani) was called off in order to prevent a diplomatic escalation. After his release, Hal informs Eidra of the encounter, while Kate attends a memorial for the fallen sailors. At the event, Trowbridge says to a grieving widow that he will "rain hellfire" on Iran should they be found responsible. This statement goes viral, heightening tensions. Following a vehicle-ramming attack targeting a Muslim family, Eidra decides to relay some of Hal's information to the CIA before it can be fully verified, though Kate is unsure. Rayburn announces a surprise visit to London to meet Trowbridge. Kate opposes the trip but fails to convince Ganon and Dennison. She discovers Hal had tipped Shahin about his presence in London via a mutual contact in Italy. While awaiting Rayburn’s arrival, she implores Hal to leave her; he blurts out the potential vice presidency offer, leaving her stunned. | ||||||
| 3 | 3 | "Lambs in the Dark" | Andrew Bernstein | Debora Cahn | April 20, 2023 | |
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Kate convinces Rayburn that Iran is not behind the attack by revealing Hal as the source. Kate reaches an agreement with Dennison for a lunch between Rayburn and Trowbridge where the president can in turn convince the prime minister. Eidra learns from Kate that Hal had reached Shahin first. Rayburn intends to send a carrier battle group to escort the British carrier to port, but Kate learns from Dennison that Trowbridge lied about the condition of the carrier to get the Americans involved. Kate talks with Appiah about the vice presidency, and slowly warms to the idea. However, after learning Hal floated her name to try to keep their marriage, Kate attacks him. Kate convinces Rayburn to hold off the carrier group, but also tries to resign as ambassador and turn down the vice presidency offer. Rayburn rejects her resignation, and Billie pretends to not hear her. | ||||||
| 4 | 4 | "He Bought a Hat" | Andrew Bernstein | Amanda Johnson-Zetterström | April 20, 2023 | |
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Kate, Heyford and Eidra formulate a plan to send a hidden signal to Iranian intelligence requesting information about the carrier attack. Kate attends a gala where Trowbridge makes a surprise appearance and reveals publicly Rayburn's U-turn, causing a rift in US-UK relations. Iran responds, and Kate has Dennison summon the Iranian ambassador while she secretly makes her way to their meeting. Heyford reveals to Kate that he was a campaign manager alongside Appiah before he grew disillusioned, and subsequently joined the Foreign Service to get out of Washington, D.C. The Iranian ambassador writes down the name Roman Lenkov, head of a Russian mercenary group who appears to have directed and provided funding for the attack, then collapses and later dies. While debriefing later, Dennison accidentally spills a drink on Kate's blouse and begins wiping it off before awkwardly handing over his handkerchief to her. Kate goes home and has sex with Hal. | ||||||
| 5 | 5 | "The Dogcatcher" | Liza Johnson | Teleplay by : Mia Chung and Anna Hagen and Debora Cahn Story by : Mia Chung | April 20, 2023 | |
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Kate, Hal and Heyford attend a meeting at the country house Chevening, hosted by Dennison, to formulate a strategy on Iran and Russia. Trowbridge crashes the meeting and demands a shift to a tough response toward Russia. The group suggests a list of sanctions, but Trowbridge insists on military action. Dennison points out that this might elicit a nuclear response. Hal spends time with Dennison's sister Cecilia, they kiss while skinny dipping in a pond, and Hal confesses the incident to Kate. The Iranian ambassador's death is revealed to be a heart attack, clearing suspicion from Kate and Dennison. Kate shocks the meeting by giving Trowbridge a list of Russian targets. | ||||||
| 6 | 6 | "Some Lusty Tornado" | Liza Johnson | Anna Hagen | April 20, 2023 | |
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Kate's bombshell derails the meeting and causes Dennison to lose trust in her. Hal takes Kate to raid the kitchen, where they find Trowbridge and share a supper. Kate convinces him to give her a chance to come up with diplomatic responses. Kate, Dennison, and their teams spend the night crafting a package of sanctions on Russian oligarchs, but Trowbridge wants to bomb Russian forces in Syria. Kate and Dennison admit they have feelings for each other. Kate realizes Trowbridge is in contact with Roylin, who engineered Trowbridge's election as prime minister at the expense of Dennison. Eidra is unable to find the person in the Russian government who gave the order for the attack. With Cecilia's help, Kate talks to Roylin, who suggests bombing Lenkov fighters in Libya. Trowbridge agrees, but Ganon does not. Hal realizes that Ganon wants to be president and is trying to make Rayburn look bad, and urges Kate to take the plan directly to Rayburn. Heyford and Eidra agree to go public with their relationship. Rayburn overrules Ganon's objection to the plan for military action against Lenkov in Libya. | ||||||
| 7 | 7 | "Keep Your Enemies Closer" | Alex Graves | Peter Noah | April 20, 2023 | |
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Kate meets with the Russian ambassador, who gives her information that Lenkov will be visiting a villa in southern France. After meeting Appiah, Hal tells Kate that Rayburn intends to fire Ganon. Kate flies back to Washington, D.C. to deliver the information to Rayburn personally, but her attempts to speak are all interrupted in a short, crowded meeting. Rayburn authorizes an operation with the British to arrest Lenkov. Kate meets with a colleague, who tells her that the diplomatic situation in Kabul, Afghanistan, where she was previously assigned, has deteriorated badly. Back in London, Trowbridge expresses his frustration to Kate about the aborted Libya plan. | ||||||
| 8 | 8 | "The James Bond Clause" | Alex Graves | Debora Cahn | April 20, 2023 | |
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The morning after Trowbridge vehemently rejected the plan to arrest Lenkov, Dennison informs Kate that Trowbridge now supports it. They plan to go to Paris to convince the French to support a British special operation. Appiah asks Heyford to tell Eidra that Kate is being considered to replace the vice president. Heyford says that he will go to Washington with Kate if she accepts the post. Eidra feels betrayed by this, recalling Heyford had previously persuaded her to refuse a posting in Cairo, and ends their relationship. Kate persuades Hal to deliver a speech at Chatham House in her stead while she is in Paris; he requests that a draft of the speech be sent to Appiah. His speech attracts the attention of Merritt Grove, a Tory MP. Kate learns that Hal attempted to put Grove in contact with Appiah, and believes he is maneuvering to become secretary of state. She forbids him from contacting Grove and instructs Heyford to stop him. In Paris, Kate receives approval from the French government for the arrest of Lenkov but learns that the operation will actually be a British-led assassination. Kate relays this information to Dennison, who still believed the operation was to be an arrest. She tells Dennison that the only person to benefit from Lenkov's death would be the person who hired him, implying that he was hired by Trowbridge. In London, Heyford and Hal reach Grove, but are caught in a car-bomb explosion; Kate is informed of the explosion, leaving her devastated. During the credits a British voice identifying as Dolphin 3–6 is heard trying to make radio contact, but receives no response. | ||||||
Season 2 (2024)
| No. overall | No. in season | Title | Directed by | Written by [4] | Original release date [1] | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 9 | 1 | "When a Stranger Calls" | Alex Graves | Teleplay by : Anna Hagen & Debora Cahn Story by : Debora Cahn | October 31, 2024 | |
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Grove is dead, while Hal, Heyford and Ronnie are seriously injured and hospitalized. Kate and Dennison return to London; Dennison tells Kate that Grove has organized donations to the Conservative Party from Russian sources like Lenkov. Kate shares her theory to Eidra that Trowbridge or a high-ranking member of the British government is involved in the bombing and the attack on the carrier. Dennison learns that Roylin is missing, despite Trowbridge's efforts to find her. Hal wakes up. Trowbridge's wife, who is revealed to be the real power behind the prime ministership, warns Dennison to not interfere in Trowbridge's relationship with Roylin. At a COBRA meeting, MI5 reveals the bomb was British. Eidra tells Kate she will investigate Trowbridge secretly to shield her from potential blowback. Ronnie dies, while Heyford is conscious but has amnesia of the events before the bombing. Roylin calls Kate. | ||||||
| 10 | 2 | "St. Paul's" | Alex Graves | Peter Ackerman | October 31, 2024 | |
| 11 | 3 | "The Ides of March" | Tucker Gates | Peter Noah | October 31, 2024 | |
| 12 | 4 | "The Other Army" | Tucker Gates | Teleplay by : Debora Cahn Story by : Julianna Dudley Meagher | October 31, 2024 | |
| 13 | 5 | "Our Lady of Immaculate Deception" | Alex Graves | Anna Hagen | October 31, 2024 | |
| 14 | 6 | "Dreadnought" | Alex Graves | Debora Cahn | October 31, 2024 | |
In January 2022, Netflix announced it had given a series order to The Diplomat from creator Debora Cahn.[5] In February of that year, it was announced Keri Russell would star in the series.[6] In March, it was announced Ali Ahn and Rufus Sewell joined the cast.[7] In April 2022, David Gyasi, Ato Essandoh, Rory Kinnear, Miguel Sandoval, Nana Mensah, Michael McKean, Celia Imrie and Penny Downie joined the cast.[8] The series was released on April 20, 2023.[9]
Filming took place at a range of locations in the UK and Paris, France. In London, producers obtained permission to film inside the American embassy in Nine Elms, and the Foreign Office in Westminster, including The Durbar Court and the Foreign Secretary's office.[10] Outside of London, Wrotham Park in Hertfordshire doubled as Winfield House, the residence of the US Ambassador to the United Kingdom, while Ditchley Park, Oxfordshire was used to represent Chevening, the foreign secretary's country residence in Kent.[10] Filming also took place at the Old Royal Naval College, Greenwich, and Cotswold Airport, Gloucestershire.[11] A number of scenes were filmed within London North Studios, located in Mill Hill, North West London, where sets for The Oval Office and US Embassy are located.[citation needed] In Paris, filming took place at the Palais-Royal and the Louvre, including the museum's Pyramid and Escalier Daru.[12]
On May 1, 2023, Netflix renewed the series for a second season.[13] Filming for season 2 began in June 2023 with locations including St Paul's Cathedral.[14][15] In January 2024, it was announced that Allison Janney had been cast as US Vice President Grace Penn for season two.[16] The second season was released on October 31, 2024.[1] On October 10, 2024, ahead of the second-season premiere, Netflix renewed the series for a third season.[2]
Title conflict
The choice of title reportedly caused frustration among the British producers of a Barcelona-set series also titled The Diplomat, which was announced in early 2020 and began airing in the UK two months before the Netflix series. Neither party has indicated a willingness to change the title to avoid confusion.[17]
Critical response
Season 1
Rotten Tomatoes reported an 84% approval rating with an average rating of 7.8/10 based on 55 critic reviews. The website's critics consensus reads, "Keri Russell's scrappy performance negotiates the best possible terms for The Diplomat, a soapy take on statecraft that manages to make geopolitical crises highly bingeable entertainment."[18] Metacritic assigned a score of 74 out of 100 based on 23 critics, indicating "generally favorable reviews".[19]
Julian Borger wrote in The Guardian that there "is a fair amount to be incredulous about", with Netflix having "taken a lot of liberties to keep The Diplomat racing along like a thriller." However, "for all the dramatic licence taken with the plot and characters", the producers "made sure they got at least some of the details absolutely right." He argued that "most current and former diplomats were ready to overlook the impurities" and were appreciative that diplomacy was being "given its moment under the bright lights." Nevertheless, Borger noted that some felt that the series was a "missed opportunity" that "carries on a long tradition of shows that put a foreign policy focus in the title, and then veer completely off into something that has nothing or little to do with actual diplomacy."[10]
The Evening Standard described the first series as "an interesting take on the time-honoured political drama" that "doesn't reach the lofty heights of The West Wing" but "does have a refreshing lack of the moral high ground."[20] The Radio Times was more critical, calling it a "simplistic, bland, and easily digestible political drama" that "isn't particularly thrilling or complex" and "never feels particularly high stakes."[21]
Meanwhile, the Financial Times lamented that the series "spurns the opportunity to provide a considered look at international relations in favour of a generic and improbably-plotted yarn" and "lacks delicacy and nuance." The paper described it as "so exaggerated that it has little to say about actual statecraft and so dry and insistently talky that it struggles to entertain."[22]
Season 2
Rotten Tomatoes reported a 94% approval rating with an average rating of 8.4/10 based on 18 critic reviews. The website's critics consensus reads, "Maintaining explosive momentum with Keri Russell as the arresting eye of the storm, The Diplomat's sophomore season solidifies it as among television's most entertaining dramas."[23] Metacritic assigned a score of 76 out of 100 based on 23 critics, indicating "generally favorable reviews".[24]
Season 1 featured in the global Netflix top 10s for four weeks, picking up 173.46 million hours watched. The season featured in the Nielsen top 10 charts for two weeks in the US picking up 44.90 million hours watched.[14]
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