The following contains spoilers for The Diplomat Season 2, which debuts Thursday, Oct. 31 on Netflix.
The Diplomat Season 2 has all the hallmarks of an award-winning drama. The Netflix series may be a political thriller, but creator Debora Cahn — whose credits include the final two seasons of Homeland and four of The West Wing‘s seven seasons — has built it on grounded relationships worth investing in. In this series, global politics run a close second to U.S. Ambassador Kate Wyler keeping her pants shut with paper clips.
With collateral damage from Season 1’s car bomb leaving everyone on edge, Kate has more to worry about than her own political ambitions. Resentment in the ranks is rife, there is a love triangle being ignored, and British Prime Minister Nicol Trowbridge is on the warpath. The last thing Kate needs is a visit from Vice President Grace Penn, but the addition of West Wing alum Allison Janney in the role opposite a stunning Keri Russell catapults Season 2 to new heights.
The Diplomat Season 2 Creates More Political Drama
The Show’s Talented Ensemble Generates Plenty of Tension
The Diplomat Season 2 is essential viewing for a number of reasons — most notably its perfect ensemble cast. From minor characters like Margaret Roylin (underplayed by a conniving Celia Imrie) through to front-runners such as Kate’s husband Hal Wyler (Rufus Sewell), no one is wasted. Cahn has concocted a story of collusion between world governments that rivals a Shakespearean tragedy, as the heroes and villains strive to outwit each other with increasingly intricate schemes.
In the emotional aftermath of the bombing, Kate has lost some allies. The Diplomat Season 2 puts the Prime Minister — whom Kate believes may be responsible — front and center. Rory Kinnear is masterful as a petulant manchild whose intellect is buried under insecurity. Trowbridge is continually at odds throughout the season with the ice-cold Austin Dennison; their conflicting ideologies give The Diplomat some backbone. One is emotionally shut off, while the other is unable to decide on anything without input from elsewhere. That both are won over by Kate’s haphazard approach to political strategy, says more about both men than any number of words.
Hal Wyler: Maybe the VP could survive this if the White House fought for her. So why aren’t they? Because they don’t like her enough to stick her in the back of group photos.
Hal remains a career politician, who conceals his intentions behind lovelorn platitudes and keeps Kate in check by back-channeling at every opportunity. She is still convinced Hal only wants her to become Vice President to ease his own ascension into high office. Sewell continues to deliver a career-best performance. Hal has confidence, but never comes across as arrogant. His clandestine phone calls conceal massive revelations, but their outcomes tend to be favorable. And he still goes to bat for Kate, irrespective of risk.
Because of these complicated dynamics, The Diplomat Season 2 never feels dull, pedestrian or formulaic. Whether it’s at a CIA safe house or a formal functions, Hal maintains a tough front against anyone who would look to harm his wife or her career. He and Kate are one of the most dysfunctional TV power couples, who feel more connected through chaos than clarity. But it’s the women of The Diplomat who truly take this season on their shoulders.
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Allison Janney Is a Revelation in The Diplomat
Audiences Will Never See Grace Penn Coming
Allison Janney makes an impressive arrival into the world of The Diplomat as Grace Penn, who arrives in the UK as a show of solidarity. Grace is a formidable politician who finds every weakness Kate tries to hide, and outplays everyone except Hal. Similarly, Janney is a scene stealer who comes dangerously close to outshining Keri Russell. The Academy Award winner is convincing from the get-go, and her pulling off dominant scenes with subtlety instead of grandstanding is even more impressive.
Despite her mission, Grace’s motives may be more self-preservation than anything selfless. She’s an example of how The Diplomat‘s trademark ambiguities have become more pronounced in Season 2. Grace has been left out in the cold by her political party for non-conformity, and it becomes clear that President Rayburn’s reasons for replacing her are more dangerous than they first appear. As the season goes on, audiences question if Grace is an enemy for Kate, or if the truth lies in another grey area.
Grace Penn: You may not want my help, but you need it.
The Diplomat Season 2 comes into its own in later episodes, when relations between Grace and Kate feel destined to end acrimoniously. Cahn throws yet another curveball and puts the Netflix audience on the back foot. Grace is integral to maintaining the tension of The Diplomat all the way to the very end, and audiences will be transfixed by Janney’s performance — even more steely than the work she did in Netflix’s action movie Lou.
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The Diplomat Still Belongs to Keri Russell
Season 2 Is an Even Better Showcase for the Star
While The Diplomat Season 2 is bolstered by the addition of Janney, it’s Keri Russell who continues to be the star of the show — both literally and in the sense that she owns it. The biggest reason why the show is essential viewing — and what pushes it over the top to be even more of a prestige show for Netflix than House of Cards — is Russell’s refreshing portrayal of Kate Wyler. Audiences are on board with all of the political drama and manipulation because of Russell. The star of The Americans presents Kate as an uber-savvy individual with nearly supernatural people skills and diplomatic know-how on a global scale. Kate might look disorganized and in a perpetual state of disarray, but she provides the show its necssary humanity.
That’s vital when it comes to navigating a political landscape not dissimilar to real life. The mentions of Russia, Ukraine, and unrest in the Middle East suggest that The Diplomat still embraces risk. There are no safe options when it comes to discussing politics in drama, but this show has a relevance and poignancy which separates it from lesser dramas, as it revels in revealing politicians like Kate and those around her to be truly flawed. Without any degree of weakness, these characters would do nothing but plot and scheme their way through the season. But Russell, as Kate Wyler, provides moments of genuine human drama that cut through the noise and ensure that The Diplomat continues to deliver on every level.
The Diplomat Season 2 premieres Oct. 31, 2024 on Netflix.
The Diplomat is a Netflix drama/thriller series that tells the story of a career diplomat named Kate Wyler as she wrestles with the complexities of her new job as ambassador to the U.K. As Kate attempts to acclimate to her high-profile, high-stress job, her marriage, and personal life begin to suffer in the midst of an international crisis.
- Release Date
- April 20, 2023
- Cast
- Keri Russell , David Gyasi , Rufus Sewell , Rory Kinnear , Ato Essandoh , Ali Ahn , Jon Moore , Adam Silver
- Seasons
- 1
- Creator
- Keri Russell continues to stun in the lead role of Kate Wyler.
- Allison Janney is a formidable addition as Grace Penn.
- Rory Kinnear and Rufus Sewell also turn in excellent performances.
- The timely political references don’t always work in the show’s fictional world..
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