Everyone will talk about Keri Russell after watching Diplomat. Emmy nominated actress in which she starred The Americans Next to husband Matthew Rhys (Perry Mason), gives an outstanding performance playing a reluctant diplomat sent to the UK to calm a political storm. Russell stars in this new Netflix political thriller, but there’s another woman who deserves some love.
This is creator/writer/showrunner Deborah Kahn (The West Wing, Home). Cahn has created a smart, sharp, and engaging political thriller in the Diplomat. It makes time for humor, too, and something equally vital: the characters we want to root for. Kahn and Russell deliver Emmy-worthy roles throughout Diplomat. Let’s not forget: Cannes saved homeland having become a writer and executive producer for the final two seasons. Russell was sadly snubbed for winning an Emmy after three nominations for The Americans. These women champion the new series and amplify it with uncompromising courage.
The cast includes Rufus Sowell (The man in the high castle), David Giasi (Carniva Ro), they supported him (Chicago Med(Ali Ahn)Raise debts), Rory Kinnear (Penny Dreadful: City of Angels), Adam Silver (air masters) and Michael McCain (I prefer Call Saul, this is Spinal Tap), who chews scenery at every turn playing the American president. If you are a fan of spit and fire dialogue for West Wing And the large share of homeland, You will appreciate Diplomat. Read on.
An unlikely diplomat takes charge
Diplomat It centers around Kate Wheeler (Russell), a longtime Foreign Service officer whose political efforts in the Middle East have gained her some prestige. Kate is asked to be the American ambassador in London after a British ship is bombed, and Washington’s chiefs want her here immediately. catch? She has no interest in being an ambassador. She has other business to do in the political arena, or so she thinks. Still, she shrugs, and while all eyes are on Iran as the culprit in the bombing, Kate knows better. She is shrewd, fierce, commanding, and confident. She believes Russia was behind it.
The series sets things up nicely and adds plenty of sticks in creative spokes along the way. Husband Hal (Sewel), for example, is also an ambassador. His approach is much different from Kate’s – he’s mean and slippery; It’s a girl. Let’s get the job done. Hull has also established himself in such political circles and seems to like his “status”. Kate prefers flipping heels and jumping over relentless political bulls***. To make matters worse, Kate and Hal’s marriage is not on solid ground. They sleep in separate bedrooms and while their bond is deep, it is also combative.
All of this upsets Kate’s new companion, forcing them to adjust to an unorthodox political figure while doing their best to keep things straight. She works her shoes at high levels of intensity, too, especially CIA agent Ali Ahn, who often delights in finding perverted absurdities in the world’s political turmoil. Other daredevils in Kit’s camp include fellows and politicians, appropriately played by Atto Essandoh and David Gyasi. But they have their own agendas, too. Kate seems to be on high alert forever. And that’s the point of the series, which never lets up.
It’s not a bad thing, but there is a tendency to feel battered with fiery dialogue and convoluted political interpretations. Are we here to binge, Netflix, or get a master’s degree in diplomacy and politics? Like the show, you tend to ignore it and go on with it because it is Diplomat Somehow it trains you to love what it has to offer. It’s good stuff all around, so yeah, it’s worth the investment.
Sharp writing fuels every scene
not since West Wing And homeland Have we tested people talking to each other like this. Appropriately, because showrunner Deborah Kahn elevated both performances, keeping the dialogue extremely fast-paced. Still, it’s refreshing to experience some of the things that come out of people’s mouths over the series’ eight episodes.
“The President is sending you to stop the war before it starts, not a little cookie butter,” husband Hal muses in the first episode. Later, an exhausted Kate must endure a video call with the Secretary of State (Miguel Sandoval). Sneaky thing as the guy despises Kate’s husband for a political misstep and now, well, he has to deal with it Ha. “Sir, no one is more surprised to find me here than I am,” Kate chimes during the video call but she can barely soften what is always bound to be a contentious relationship.
There’s a great chemistry between the characters of Ato Essandoh and Ali Ahn here, too. The duo is so “coupled” that two people who are afraid of committing to each other are “coupled”. The emotional cat and mouse is fun to watch. Leading figures like the British Prime Minister (Rory Kinnear) and the US President (Michael McCain) steal scenes whenever they show up – McCain delivers wickedly fun playing a ditzy president who is overly attached to his character. Nana Mensah delivers an unforgettable performance as the President’s chief of staff.
Meanwhile, another plot thread puts another wrinkle in Kate’s plans. It seems that she was not chosen for the position of US Ambassador to the UK because she is really great at her job. It is a test given by senior officials to see if she can fill the position of vice president in the middle of his term. Like she wants that.
It’s all catchy and Russell, the ever-reliable actor, doesn’t disappoint. The series effectively manages to balance all the political jargon with insight and humor. while tone Diplomat It sometimes feels out of place on Netflix – Peacock might have had a better home – this is still one of the best new series of the season, and it will be interesting to see how Russell, who is really in control here, fares come Emmy time.
Diplomat Arrives on Netflix April 20th.
