We finally have (some!) news about season 2 of The Diplomat. According to creator Debora Cahn, the latest installment drops on Netflix on October 31. Though the political drama was renewed more than a year and a half ago, star Keri Russell, who plays Kate Wyler, is at last ready to reenter the situation room. “Everything we thought we knew about the Wylers changes,” Cahn teased in the official press release. “As does everything they think they know about each other.”
In an interview with Esquire, Rufus Sewell revealed that he’s eager to see what happens next—whether it includes his character or not. (If you know, you know.) “I would like the show to continue as long as it can—with or without me,” he said. “It’s so well cast, it’s such a fun show to be in, and it’s one of those things that plays like it reads. One of the delights [of acting] is to read something, have a gut feeling about it, then turn up [to the job] and it feels right. Then you watch it, and it’s what you imagined.
“In the past,” he continued, “I’ve been vaguely frightened of being committed to an ongoing role—but I don’t think any of us felt this way about this.” We certainly hope not! The Diplomat has been a major win for Netflix ever since it debuted on the streamer, thanks to stellar performances by Sewell and his castmates, who expertly portray the chaos of working as political negotiators. Haven’t seen it yet? Here’s a quick rundown:
Russell’s Kate Wyler is hired as an ambassador to the United Kingdom amid an international crisis. As if juggling her career and a pending world war weren’t hard enough, her marriage to Hal (Sewell), a former political star, is crumbling, too. After a stunning eight episodes, season 1 ended with a bang, leaving Kate’s personal and professional life up in the air.
Netflix announced The Diplomat’s renewal not long after the finale. Jinny Howe, the streamer’s vice president of drama series, explained it was the natural next step in the wake of the show’s success. “Fans around the world are loving every minute of The Diplomat’s gripping and propulsive drama and embracing Keri Russell’s powerful performance as Kate Wyler,” she said. “After that jaw-dropping cliff-hanger, we can’t wait for them to see what the amazing visionary team of Debora Cahn, Janice Williams, and Keri Russell have in store for season 2.”
That certainly sounds promising. Keep reading for everything we know about The Diplomat’s second season.
When Will Season 2 of The Diplomat Debut?
The second season is right around the corner, debuting on October 31. Allison Janney (Palm Royale) will join the Netflix drama, alongside Ali Ahn, Rory Kinnear, and Ato Essandoh.
What Might Happen in Season 2?
After that explosive cliff-hanger, The Diplomat could go in any number of directions. We won’t spoil what happened for those who haven’t watched the show, but in an interview with Netflix’s Tudum, Sewell gave his prediction for the next chapter. “All I know is that if you resolve it one way or another too quickly, we’re screwed. I like to think there are enough problems to last us [a few seasons]. Who knows? I would like someone with a better imagination than mine to take over on that rather than follow my dumb suggestions.”
We’ll continue to update this story as more information becomes available.
