The Diplomat (American TV series)

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.[1]

For the unrelated 2023 BBC Studios series starring Sophie Rundle, see The Diplomat (British TV series).

The Diplomat
Genre
Created byDebora Cahn
Starring
Music by
Country of originUnited States
Original languageEnglish
No. of seasons1
No. of episodes8
Production
Executive producers
Producers
  • Daniel Toland
  • Russ Hammonds
  • Amanda Johnson-Zetterström
Cinematography
  • Julian Court
  • Philipp Blaubach
Editors
  • Gary Levy
  • Agnes Grandits
Running time43–56 minutes
Production companies
  • Let's Not Turn This Into a Whole Big Production
  • Well Red
Release
Original networkNetflix
Original releaseApril 20, 2023 (2023-04-20) –
present (present)

Premise

The series centers on Kate Wyler, the new United States ambassador to the United Kingdom, as she has to defuse international crises, forge strategic alliances in London, and adjust to her new place in the spotlight while also trying to survive her marriage to fellow career diplomat Hal Wyler.

Cast

Main

Recurring

Supporting

Episodes
No.TitleDirected byWritten byOriginal release date
1"The Cinderella Thing"Simon Cellan JonesDebora CahnApril 20, 2023 (2023-04-20)
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 Hayford and CIA station chief Eidra Park. Hayford is requested by Appiah to monitor Kate for a potential nomination as US Vice President. Kate bumps into 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 any 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, Kate agrees to a magazine shoot to boost her profile. Upon discovering that the Wylers are planning to divorce, Hayford tells Hal about Kate's consideration as vice president. Hal is drugged and driven away.
2"Don't Call It a Kidnapping"Simon Cellan JonesPeter NoahApril 20, 2023 (2023-04-20)
Under apprehension, Hal is contacted by Rasoul Shahin, an acquaintance and the deputy foreign minister of Iran, who stresses that the country isn’t the perpetrator of the attack, revealing that a planned assassination of a retired US general in retaliation for the killing of Qasem Soleimani had to be called off, in order to prevent a diplomatic escalation. Upon his release, Hal informs Eidra of the encounter, while Kate attends a memorial for the fallen sailors. At the event, a remark made by Trowbridge to a grieving widow declaring that he would “rain hellfire” on Iran should they be found responsible 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; however, Kate opposes the decision and attempts to convince Ganon and Dennison against it, but fails. 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"Lambs in the Dark"Andrew BernsteinDebora CahnApril 20, 2023 (2023-04-20)
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"He Bought a Hat"Andrew BernsteinAmanda Johnson-ZetterströmApril 20, 2023 (2023-04-20)
Kate, Hayford 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. Hayford 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 appeared 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 the napkin to her. Kate goes home and has sex with Hal.
5"The Dogcatcher"Liza JohnsonTeleplay by : Mia Chung and Anna Hagen and Debora Cahn
Story by : Mia Chung		April 20, 2023 (2023-04-20)
Kate, Hal and Hayford 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, which Dennison point out will elicit a nuclear response. Hal spends time with Cecilia, Dennison's sister, and the two skinny dip in a pond and share a kiss, which Hal confesses 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"Some Lusty Tornado"Liza JohnsonAnna HagenApril 20, 2023 (2023-04-20)
Kate's bombshell derails the meeting and causes Dennison to lose trust in her. Hal takes Kate to raid the kitchen, where they bump into Trowbridge and share a supper; Kate convinces him for a chance to come up with diplomatic responses. Kate, Dennison and their teams spend all 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. Realizing that Ganon has ambitions to be president and was aiming to make Rayburn look bad, Hal urges Kate to get rid of Ganon. Hayford and Eidra agree to go public with their relationship. Ganon's objection is overruled by Rayburn.
7"Keep Your Enemies Closer"Alex GravesPeter NoahApril 20, 2023 (2023-04-20)
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 Rayburn intends to fire Ganon. Kate flies back to Washington, D.C. to hand-deliver the information to Rayburn in the Oval Office, but Ganon repeatedly interrupts her. Rayburn authorizes an operation with the British to capture Lenkov. Kate meets with a colleague, who tells her that the diplomatic situation in Kabul, Afghanistan, where she was assigned before changing to London, has deteriorated. Back in London, Trowbridge expresses his frustration to Kate about the aborted Libya plan and argues that arresting Lenkov is not enough.
8"The James Bond Clause"Alex GravesDebora CahnApril 20, 2023 (2023-04-20)

Dennison informs Kate that Trowbridge now supports Lenkov's arrest; they both plan to convince the French into supporting a British special operation. With Appiah's permission, Hayford discloses Kate's potential nomination to Eidra, who realizes that if he succeeds in convincing her, he can return to Washington; she feels betrayed by this, recalling Hayford had previously persuaded her to refuse a posting in Cairo. 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. After Kate learns that Hal had attempted to put Grove in contact with Appiah, she realizes he is attempting to become secretary of state; she forbids him from contacting Grove and instructs Hayford to stop him. In Paris, Kate receives approval from the French government for the operation, but learns that it is an assassination. Discovering Dennison is also unaware of the development, they deduce Lenkov had been hired by Trowbridge, the true architect of the attack. In London, Hayford 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.

Production

In January 2022, it was announced Netflix had given a series order to The Diplomat from creator Debora Cahn.[4] In February of that year, it was announced Keri Russell would star in the series.[5] In March it was announced Ali Ahn and Rufus Sewell joined the cast.[6] In April 2022, David Gyasi, Ato Essandoh, Rory Kinnear, Miguel Sandoval, Nana Mensah, Michael McKean, Celia Imrie and Penny Downie joined the cast.[7] The series was released on April 20, 2023.[8]

Filming took place at a range of locations in the UK. 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.[9] 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.[9] Filming also took place at the Old Royal Naval College, Greenwich, Cotswold Airport, Gloucestershire, and The Louvre in Paris.[10]

On May 1, 2023, Netflix renewed the series for a second season.[1]

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.[11]

Reception

Rotten Tomatoes reported an 87% approval rating with an average rating of 7.8/10 based on 47 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."[12] Metacritic assigned a score of 75 out of 100 based on 20 critics, indicating "generally favorable reviews".[13]

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."[9] 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."[9] 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."[9] 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."[9]

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."[14] 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."[15]

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."[16]

References
  1. Rice, Lynette (May 1, 2023). "'The Diplomat' Renewed For Second Season By Netflix". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on May 1, 2023. Retrieved May 1, 2023.
  2. "Ali Ahn – Broadway Cast". IBDB .com. Retrieved May 10, 2023.
  3. "Netflix upcoming Deborah Cahn series 'The Diplomat': Release date, cast & plot". The News International. Archived from the original on April 11, 2023. Retrieved April 11, 2023.
  4. Andreeva, Nellie (December 24, 2020). "Netflix Greenlights Drama Series 'The Diplomat', Inks Overall Deal With Creator Debora Cahn". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on April 13, 2023. Retrieved March 26, 2023.
  5. Andreeva, Nellie (February 16, 2022). "Keri Russell To Headline Netflix's Political Thriller Series 'The Diplomat'". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on March 27, 2023. Retrieved March 26, 2023.
  6. Petski, Denise (March 4, 2022). "'The Diplomat': Rufus Sewell & Ali Ahn Join Netflix's Political Thriller Series". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on December 11, 2022. Retrieved March 26, 2023.
  7. Ritman, Alex (April 28, 2022). "David Gyasi, Ato Essandoh, Rory Kinnear Join Keri Russell in Netflix Political Thriller 'The Diplomat' (Exclusive)". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on April 28, 2022. Retrieved April 28, 2022.
  8. Netflix [@netflix] (March 16, 2023). "Keri Russell stars in The Diplomat, a new series created by Debora Cahn (Homeland, The West Wing), premiering April 20. She plays a career diplomat who lands a high-profile job she's unsuited for, with seismic implications for her marriage and political future" (Tweet). Retrieved March 16, 2023 – via Twitter.
  9. Borger, Julian (May 6, 2023). "'I don't recall so many attractive people': experts reveal what The Diplomat gets right – and wrong". The Guardian. Retrieved May 6, 2023.
  10. Hibbs, James. "Where was The Diplomat filmed?". Radio Times. Retrieved May 3, 2023.
  11. Sherwin, Adam (April 7, 2023). "BBC and Netflix in 'diplomatic' stand-off as two dramas called The Diplomat go head-to-head". i. Retrieved April 24, 2023.
  12. "The Diplomat: Season 1". Rotten Tomatoes. Retrieved May 17, 2023.
  13. "The Diplomat: Season 1". Metacritic. Retrieved April 19, 2023.
  14. Jessop, Vicky (April 21, 2023). "The Diplomat on Netflix review: political drama packs in the thrills". Evening Standard. Retrieved May 6, 2023.
  15. Hibbs, James. "The Diplomat review: Simplistic, bland and easily digestible political drama". Radio Times. Retrieved May 6, 2023.
  16. Einav, Dan (April 21, 2023). "The Diplomat, Netflix review — an embarrassment to the embassy". Financial Times. Retrieved May 6, 2023.
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