Everything to Know About “The Diplomat” Season 2

From the filming locations to the show creator’s hopes for even more seasons, here’s everything to know about ‘The Diplomat’ season 2

When The Diplomat premiered on April 20, 2023, the show — starring Keri Russell and Rufus Sewell as American diplomats in London attempting to prevent a war — was an immediate success.

The series debuted at #1 in the Netflix Top 10 list and racked up over 57 million hours viewed in its first weekend, according to the streamer.

Only 10 days later, on May 1, 2023, Netflix renewed The Diplomat for a second season. That same month, United States Ambassador to the United Kingdom Jane Hartley hosted Russell, Sewell and other cast members at her Regent’s Park home in London. “I feel unbelievably lucky to have the absurdly talented Keri Russell playing me,” Hartley told PEOPLE.

According to Jinny Howe, Vice President of Drama Series at Netflix, the renewal was an easy decision. “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 told Tudum. “After that jaw-dropping cliffhanger, 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.”

Russell was nominated for an Emmy and a Golden Globe for season 1 of The Diplomat for her portrayal of Kate, a reluctantly appointed ambassador to the U.K. sent to London to defuse a complicated political situation. Along with her is her husband Hal Wyler, played by Sewell, a former U.S. ambassador who can’t help but get involved in his wife’s work.

In an interview with The Hollywood Reporter’s TV’s Top 5 podcast, show creator Debora Cahn expressed her hopes for future seasons. “I certainly like long-form stories,” she said. “I like being able to write about minutiae and the little odd moments of people’s lives and their worlds. So I like long-form storytelling. I certainly hope it continues. And I have a lot of ideas about where it would go. But we’ll see. We shall see what happens.”

The show, which was one of PEOPLE’s top shows of 2023, is currently in production and is filming in London.

Here’s everything to know about season 2 of The Diplomat.

What is The Diplomat about?

In the show, Russell and Sewell play Kate and Hal Wyler, a married couple who are both political veterans.

Sewell’s character has extensive experience as a U.S. ambassador to foreign countries, but his unorthodox methods have burned bridges. When a British aircraft carrier is attacked and the attacker is unclear, Michael McKean’s President Rayburn sends Russell’s character, Kate, to London against her wishes to defuse a situation that could quickly escalate into a world war.

Hal also makes the trip to the U.K., but his behind-the-scenes ministrations put even more stress on Kate's job, as she attempts to figure out who attacked the ship before the British Prime Minister retaliates against an innocent country. It also affects Hal and Kate’s failing marriage.

How did season 1 of The Diplomat leave off?

In the season finale of the show, Prime Minister Trowbridge is on the brink of unleashing a retaliatory attack on Iran, which he blames for the attack on the ship. However, in the episode, Kate uncovers that it’s Trowbridge himself who planned the attack, as a political power move to assure his chances of reelection.

As tensions reach a breaking point, another attack happens. In the last moments of the season 1 finale, a car explodes near Hal and several other staffers, leaving viewers and Russell’s character unclear about who, if anyone, survived.

“I was totally surprised,” Russell told Deadline of the ending. “But Debora is such a veteran. She’s been doing this forever. She’s such a pro. She knows what she’s doing. I’m assuming she had that plan for a while, but I was completely surprised.”

The extreme cliffhanger was a deliberate move on Cahn’s part. “I wanted it to make people want more,” she told Tudum. “I wanted to bring together all of the different dynamics of the political relationships and the personal relationships in one event that splits apart all at the same time.”

Sewell also hinted to Tudum that he's hopeful for the project to make a comeback for multiple seasons, saying, “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 suggestion.”

Who is in The Diplomat season 2 cast?

The Diplomat stars Russell as Ambassador Kate Wyler, and Sewell as her husband, Ambassador Hal Wyler.

The show also features David Gyasi as British Foreign Secretary Austin Dennison, Rory Kinnear as Prime Minister Nicol Trowbridge, Ali Ahn as Eidra Park and Ato Essandoh as Stuart Heyford. Michael McKean also appears as U.S. President William Rayburn.

The show was created by Debora Cahn, who’s also an executive producer of the series, along with Russell and several others.

Where is The Diplomat season 2 being filmed?

Season 2 is being filmed in London, though the show may add other locations in the U.K. In addition to London, season 1 also filmed in Oxford and Gloucester, per Screen Daily.

When will season 2 of The Diplomat be released?

Season 2 of The Diplomat started filming in London in June 2023 but was delayed by the writers’ and actors’ strikes.

Production resumed in December 2023, according to Screen Daily. Currently, it’s not known when the next season will stream; Netflix has not announced a return date for The Diplomat.

Where can I watch The Diplomat?

The Diplomat season 1 is currently streaming on Netflix. The streamer hasn’t announced the release date for season 2.

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