Season 2 of The Diplomat picks up precisely where the explosive banger (literally) of a season 1 finale left off, plunging viewers into the immediate, chaotic aftermath of the terrorist attack. Amid the flashing ambulance lights and frantic rescue efforts, we find U.S. Ambassador Kate Wyler (Keri Russell) and the U.K.'s Foreign Secretary, Austin Dennison (David Gyasi), urgently trying to get a handle on the crisis with their respective teams. This tension, heightened by a constant demand for information, sets the tone for a season steeped in geopolitical intrigue.
At the heart of this season is the mystery surrounding spy mistress Margaret Roylin, played by the inimitable Celia Imrie. After Kate sought intel from Roylin in the Season 1 finale, an attack ensued, killing two and injuring others, including Stuart and Hal. As each episode unfolds, Kate and her team grapple with a web of bad calls and mistaken conclusions, challenging their understanding of trust and power in the shadowy realm of global diplomacy.
One thing this show gets right is that nothing is ever as it seems in the game of geopolitical gamesmanship. This season, viewers are asked to reexamine our assumptions, which makes for an engaging watch from start to finish.
Nowhere is this complexity more evident than in our evolving view of bellicose Prime Minister Nicol Trowbridge (Rory Kinnear). Initially, I dismissed him as a buffoonish caricature—undeniably reminiscent of Boris Johnson minus the perennially scruffy hair—Trowbridge reveals surprising depth this season. From the codependent but surprisingly endearing political partnership he has with his wife Lydia to the shifting dynamic between him and Dennison from that of a bitter, toxic rivalry to a grudgingly effective alliance.
Meanwhile, the Wyler dynamic remains a fascinating anchor for the show, providing one of the most nuanced portrayals of a marriage on television. Kate and Hal’s complex relationship, marked by equal parts love, lust, exasperation and hatred, serves as a kind of foil to the Trowbridges. The tension between the Wylers—moments of intense frustration and fury countered by their mutual understanding, innate ability to work as a team and the ease with which they slip into intimacy and routine—elevates their relationship into something both relatable and compelling.
These two just get each other more often than not. And, really, is there anything sexier than that? As a close friend, Carol, aptly points out to Kate, “You want him to behave. But when he does, you don’t see it. You can’t even detect it. I worry sometimes that you don’t like it. You don’t like him when he’s good.”
Kate’s lack of self awareness can be frustrating. But her character arc is one of the show’s most compelling aspects. And the reason why she works is simple: there is no dearth of people to deliver some hard truths to her face. Her constant evolution, spurred by challenges from the people around her, is this season’s strongest thread as she tries to balance personal ambition with political responsibilities and ever-shadier morality. From Stuart and Austin calling out her tendency to blunder through diplomatic procedure often at the expense of people around her, to Hal criticizing her habit of making him the villain of every story when making hard decisions comes with the job. And she’s forced to make plenty of tough calls this season.
Her transformation is further catalyzed by the addition of Grace Penn (Allison Janney), whose commanding presence shakes up the show’s dynamics the moment she arrives. Penn’s polished exterior and sharp instincts create an electric tension with Kate. The rivalry between them is hilariously underscored by an implicit joke I kept hearing in my head—Kate: who are you? Grace: I’m you, but more stylish and capable of brushing my damn hair.
Of course, the bombastic season closer upends everything by way of a phone call (thanks, Hal). The unexpected demise of the president positions Grace as the most powerful woman in the world. That final scene of all the secret service agents descending upon Kate and Grace is instantly iconic.
The stakes have never been higher ahead of season 3 as the show (hopefully) shifts to a new setting—the belly of the beast i.e. Washington D.C. I can’t wait to see how that new locale opens avenues for diplomacy-driven intrigue for all our characters.
Other Observations
Eidra and Stuart’s Rocky Relationship: These two are on the outs for most of the season. I enjoy their dynamic but who knows if they can ever mend the rift given all their questionable choices and their incompatible worldviews.
Roylin’s betrayal of Trowbridge: I enjoyed every second of Celia Imrie on my screen. The spy games and hijinks were especially entertaining. Her betrayal of Trowbridge, and his explosive reaction was well done.
Stuart’s Subtle Arc: Though less prominent this season, Stuart’s storyline is impactful, exploring his PTSD, his survivor’s guilt and his justifiable but increasingly troubling resentment of Kate and the Wyler way of doing things.
Realpolitik and Geostrategy: The show nails some of the real-world complexities of geopolitics despite plenty of dramatic license. I enjoyed all of it, including Penn’s funny scene, complete with a giant map, in which she schools Kate on the difficult choices a Vice President is forced to make to protect American interests abroad.
Give me More Billie: Nana Mensah’s Billie Appiah leaves a strong impression but I’m going to need more of her next season, and I think I’ll get it given the new state-of-play with the president dead.
With its sharp insights into diplomacy, complex character arcs, and pulse-pounding cliffhanger, The Diplomat Season 2 is pretty thrilling and thought-provoking and just like last season, leaves the audience hungry for more.
What did you think?
Loved it
Hated it
So/So
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