TV Review: ‘The Diplomat’ Season 2

Arriving on Netflix on October 31st, the second season of ‘The Diplomat’ might not be the most Halloween-centric offering, but it certainly possesses enough to scare you about how the world truly works.

The political drama from ‘The West Wing’ veteran Debora Cahn continues the story from the first, as Keri Russell’s ambassador balances her learning curve while representing the United States in Britain with what she’s quickly learning about an unfolding conspiracy.

Related Article: Keri Russell and Rufus Sewell Talk Netflix Series ‘The Diplomat’

Does ‘The Diplomat’ send the right message?

Early on in ‘The Diplomat’s first season, there were plenty of comparisons made between this series and ‘The West Wing’, given creator Debora Cahn’s experience on the writing staff of that show and the familiar environs of political chess moves within different administrations.

While those are still relatively fair (the show features a lot of walking and talking and the occasional spiky dialogue scene), ‘The Diplomat’ has long since evolved into its own thing, in ways both positive and negative.

It’s rarely as compelling as Aaron Sorkin’s classic series could be when it wanted to, but at the same time we can’t forget that the previous show had around 24 episodes per year to develop its characters, backstories and plotlines, as compared to ‘The Diplomat’s relatively skimpy eight-episode first season, which shrinks further to six episodes in Season 2 (though that’s because it was renewed for two seasons at once, and the third was shot back-to-back with the second for a total of 12 episodes, the next other half due next year).

Yet judged on its own merits, ‘The Diplomat’ has plenty to offer.

Script and Direction

Cahn leads her own writing team with aplomb, focusing more tightly on a core group of characters who all bring something to the table. And showing that she knows her way around a conspiracy plot, she builds an entertaining story full of twists and turns. Just when you think you know the truth, it pivots in impressive ways to show more layers.

The interpersonal conflicts between the characters also works well, particularly between Russell’s Ambassador Wyler and her husband Hal (Rufus Sewell) –– the scenes heat up whenever they’re sparring about the latest situation.

And though there’s not as much for other characters to do outside of their jobs, they’re all fun to watch.

On the directing front, with the visual look led by Cahn’s fellow ‘West Wing’ alumnus Alex Graves, it’s glamorous enough, making good news of some very impressive British locations, including the chance to shoot outside the U.S. Embassy in London.

Performances

With Russell and Sewell as the main drivers of the drama, there are also other characters and performances who stand out.

Keri Russell as Kate Wyler

Wyler is a fireball of a character, a woman who might seem an unlikely choice for an ambassadorial position given her temper, but who nevertheless is great in the job. Russell makes an already well-rounded character really work well, balancing her fury at what she learns with a need to employ her smarts on the job.

Rufus Sewell as Hal Wyler

Sewell also shines as Wyler’s husband, the experienced diplomat who can’t help but meddle in her affairs and uses his own connections to dig up information and put out fires (though he occasionally causes them). He’s a great portrait of a powerful man who can’t quite let go of the idea that he’s no longer as essential as he once was.

Rory Kinnear as Prime Minister Nicol Trowbridge

Kinnear is more normally found as the sort of supporting character he excels at (see Tanner from the Daniel Craig Bond movies), but Trowbridge is his chance to embrace a powerful, conflicted figure and he grasps it fully. The British Prime Minister is a fascinating, insecure man and factors even further into this year’s plot line.

Ali Ahn as Eidra Park

The chief of the CIA station at the US embassy and an ally to Kate Ahn’s Park is an excellent foil for the ambassador, eminently capable and yet also emotionally vulnerable when it comes to her on-again-off-again relationship with Ato Essandoh’s Stuart Heyford, the ambassador’s chief aide.

Allison Janney as Grace Penn

Janney, another ‘West Wing’ stalwart, sweeps into the show late in this season and lifts every scene in which she appears. The accomplished actor, like Russell and Sewell, really knows how to make Cahn and co.’s dialogue sing.

Other notable characters

The supporting cast is populated with a quality group of actors who work in different levels. Essandoh does good work as Stuart, while the likes of David Gyasi (as the British Foreign Secretary) and Celia Imrie (as Trowbridge confidante-turned-whistle blower Margaret Roylin) brings all of her British national treasure chops to the fascinating role.

Final Thoughts

Picking up the story strands laid down by the first season effectively, the second season of the drama proves to be even more entertaining. Digging further into the conspiracy story but never losing sight of the personal stakes involved, ‘The Diplomat’ remains one of Netflix’s stronger titles.

‘The Diplomat’ Season 2 receives 7.5 out of 10 stars.

What’s the story of ‘The Diplomat’ Season 2?

A deadly explosion in the heart of London shatters US Ambassador Kate Wyler’s (Keri Russell) world. Struggling to rebuild the lives that broke and the team that split apart, Kate’s worst fears unfold: The attack that brought her to the UK didn’t come from a rival nation, it came from inside the British government.

As Kate chases the truth, her only real ally is her almost-ex-husband Hal Wyler (Rufus Sewell), very much alive, and very much involved. She faces a fraught marriage, a complex dynamic with British Foreign Secretary Austin Dennison (David Gyasi), and a threatening visit from Vice President Grace Penn (Allison Janney).

Who else is in the cast of ‘The Diplomat’ Season 2?

• Keri Russell as Katherine “Kate” Wyler
• Rufus Sewell as Hal Wyler
• David Gyasi as Austin Dennison
• Ali Ahn as Eidra Park
• Rory Kinnear as Nicol Trowbridge
• Ato Essandoh as Stuart Hayford
• Celia Imrie as Margaret Roylin
• Miguel Sandoval as Miguel Ganon
• Nana Mensah as Billie Appiah
• Michael McKean as President William Rayburn
• T’Nia Miller as Cecilia Dennison
• Allison Janney as Vice President Grace Penn

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