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The Diplomat (2023)

METASCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 60 Critic Reviews

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77

USER SCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 29 Ratings

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6.5

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6.5	Your Score
6.5	User Score Generally favorable reviews based on 29 Ratings

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The Diplomat: Season 1

Now Playing: The Diplomat: Season 1

The Diplomat (2023)

Series Details & Credits

Netflix | Release Date: April 20, 2023

Summary: Kate Wyler (Keri Russell), the new US Ambassador to the United Kingdom, tries to handle international crises and her marriage to fellow diplomat Hal Wyler (Rufus Sewell) in this political drama from Debora Cahn.

Genre(s): Drama, Suspense

Recent Episodes

No episode information is currently available for this season

See all Seasons and Episodes

Metascore

77

Positive:

49

Mixed:

11

Negative:

0

Critic Reviews

100

TV Insider Matt Roush

Oct 16, 2025

Season 3 Review: The third season of The Diplomat is the very definition of a breakneck binge bonanza. It’s also the most sensationally entertaining political drama since The West Wing. Read full review

90

Screen Rant Rebecca VanAcker

Oct 16, 2025

Season 3 Review: Season 3 kept me on my toes, but never made me feel frustrated or confused – only thrilled to be along for the ride. Read full review

82

TV Guide

Kyle Fowle

Apr 26, 2023

Season 1 Review: The Diplomat isn't perfect — it's not directed in a way that will garner much attention, and some of the plotting is a tad predictable — but the show is more than captivating for eight episodes. In fact, the main draw here is that the show is tightly scripted, well acted, and doesn't overstay its welcome. Read full review

80

The Guardian Lucy Mangan

Apr 19, 2023

Season 1 Review: After a slightly turgid opening episode, The Diplomat becomes a hugely enjoyable ride and, while Russell rules the show, everyone around her is a brilliant addition and support. Read full review

75

The Playlist Christian Gallichio

Oct 30, 2024

Season 2 Review: How that narrative is resolved is fascinating and well worth not being spoiled on. The show provides a multitude of red herrings that are truly absurd in the best way. An escalating series of twists in the back half of the six-episode season had me rolling my eyes while simultaneously hitting ‘next episode’ immediately once the option came up. Read full review

70

Variety

Alison Herman

Oct 30, 2024

Season 2 Review: The new season is also a more confident and convincing version of itself. It’s still not without flaws, chief among them an uncritical reverence for both the American security state and Kate as its avatar. (The first is a political concern, which may lie beyond the scope of a review; the second is a dramatic one, and thus fair game.) But “The Diplomat” now satisfies its own brief more successfully than ever. Read full review

40

The Observer (UK) Barbara Ellen

Sep 10, 2024

Season 1 Review: A few episodes in, The Diplomat feels laboured and dated. If you want to watch people standing in posh rooms pointlessly arguing and furthering British stereotypes, you’re better off sticking on a Downton Abbey repeat. Read full review

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Write a Review

6.5

User Reviews

10

Bigguy00

May 23, 2023

Terrific dialog and pacing reminiscent of The West Wing (same writer). Some of the story lines are a bit far fetched, but still entertaining. The acting is first rate. I can only hope they have future episodes planned.

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

8

matthewmirliani

Apr 26, 2023

Solid political thriller that will help fill the hole left by Homeland and The Americans. Keri is excellent as always. It’s well-balanced with suspense and humor, and is extremely timely. The excellent finale will leave you wanting more.

0 of 2 users found this helpful02

8

Coagulant7795

Jun 15, 2023

Although overreaching at times, most of its hits land, whether the stage it sets is a high stakes thriller, an office drama, or even a rom com.

Strong Sorkin undertones with fast paced, sharp dialog, which comes to little surprise since Debora Cahn is a West Wing/Homeland alum. Russell andAlthough overreaching at times, most of its hits land, whether the stage it sets is a high stakes thriller, an office drama, or even a rom com.

Strong Sorkin undertones with fast paced, sharp dialog, which comes to little surprise since Debora Cahn is a West Wing/Homeland alum.

Russell and supporting cast are convincing, for the most part.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

6

V1KTOR

May 7, 2023

It's basically the Netflix version of "Madame Secretary" except the times it's trying to be "House of Cards".

2 of 2 users found this helpful20

4

joelgreenberg

Apr 27, 2023

The Diplomat plays like network TV on a streaming platform that permits as many **** phrases as the writers please. In fact, the emphatic overuse of the word is probably the most personality that the script offers. Keri Russell appears to have left her sense of humour in her trailer, whileThe Diplomat plays like network TV on a streaming platform that permits as many **** phrases as the writers please. In fact, the emphatic overuse of the word is probably the most personality that the script offers. Keri Russell appears to have left her sense of humour in her trailer, while Rufus Sewell revels in his playful, opaque characterization. The series is a C or D level West Wing, a step down from the less engaging Madam Secretary.
The final episode is certainly fodder for a second season, so we'll have to wait until the ratings and the kingmakers green light what is hardly necessary or enlightening.… Expand

1 of 2 users found this helpful11

3

skwel

Apr 22, 2023

Mixed bag. Throws at you believable international political scenario (which is interesting) and two main great actors (really great!), but then 'netflixize' it to adjust to some kind of algorithm to please everyone watching. So the diplomats innerworkings become unrealistic soon enough andMixed bag. Throws at you believable international political scenario (which is interesting) and two main great actors (really great!), but then 'netflixize' it to adjust to some kind of algorithm to please everyone watching. So the diplomats innerworkings become unrealistic soon enough and office melodrama becomes tiring and uninteresting. Plot twists becomes just silly. Promising show wants to be everything in one and in the end becomes diluted.

Surprised some critics claim it's 'extraordinary smart' (Chicago Tribune) or 'rich stew' (San Frrisco Chronicle) - did we really lower our expectations so much or that's just nexus of critics and producers helping each other here? It's serviceable fun sometimes, but really helps you can fast forward scenes - otherwise would be too dull and painful to watch. If it's really extraordinary smart, rather 'new smart', nothing else.… Expand

4 of 5 users found this helpful41

2

slock

May 21, 2023

Like someone else said: Madame Secretary, but i would suggest, worse, more cartoon-ish with poor writing. Keri Russel -who i thought was really good in The Americans- gives (imv) an exaggerated, hackneyed performance. Whole thing is trying too hard. Surprised it gets the praise it does. ButLike someone else said: Madame Secretary, but i would suggest, worse, more cartoon-ish with poor writing. Keri Russel -who i thought was really good in The Americans- gives (imv) an exaggerated, hackneyed performance. Whole thing is trying too hard. Surprised it gets the praise it does. But glad others are enjoying it.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

SEE ALL 13 REVIEWS

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Seasons & Episodes

77

Series Overview
Season 3

84
- Season 3 Overview
  Air Date: October 16, 2025
- No episode information is currently available for this season
Season 2

76
- Season 2 Overview
  Air Date: October 31, 2024
Season 1

74
- Season 1 Overview
  Air Date: April 20, 2023