The Diplomat (2023): Season 1

METASCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 23 Critic Reviews

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USER SCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 37 Ratings

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6.5

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6.5	User Score Generally favorable reviews based on 37 Ratings

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The Diplomat: Season 1

Now Playing: The Diplomat: Season 1

Season Details & Credits

Netflix | Season Premiere 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.

Creator: Debora Cahn

Genre(s): Drama, Suspense

Season 1 Episodes

tbd
S1:E8. The James Bond Clause
Air Date: April 20, 2023
tbd
S1:E7. Keep Your Enemies Closer
Air Date: April 20, 2023
tbd
S1:E6. Some Lusty Tornado
Air Date: April 20, 2023

See all Seasons and Episodes

Metascore

Positive:

Mixed:

Negative:

Critic Reviews

100

Nina Metz

Apr 19, 2023

The series is extraordinarily smart, it understands the value of comedy within a dramatic context and it moves at a hell of a clip. ... “The Diplomat” is the best in its class. Read full review

IndieWire Ben Travers

Apr 19, 2023

“The Diplomat” makes a meal out of blending political parlance with office melodrama. It talks a big game — and backs it up. Read full review

Sophie Gilbert

May 24, 2023

The pleasure of The Diplomat, Netflix’s zippy new geopolitical drama, is how enticingly it ties together tropes and tricks from shows gone by, a TV bouquet that’s undeniably familiar and yet still seems fresh. Read full review

Zaki Hasan

Apr 19, 2023

Intertwining the dueling demands of idealism and pragmatism with the equally pressing interpersonal dynamics that inevitably shape realpolitik outcomes. It makes for a rich stew of international intrigue and rolled-up-sleeves diplomatic finagling, all held together by a talented ensemble. Read full review

Mike Hale

Apr 19, 2023

A political thriller laced with romance and written, with some success, in an Aaron Sorkinesque high-comic, high-velocity style. ... Russell is not as funny as the show needs her to be. ... Luckily for “The Diplomat,” Sewell has no trouble getting in touch with his inner Barrymore, and he walks away with the show. Read full review

RogerEbert.com Brian Tallerico

Apr 19, 2023

It’s an extremely talky show. ... Luckily, the creators hired an ensemble of performers to make this kind of intellectual discourse genuine. So even as “The Diplomat” circles the same drains of dissent and diplomacy, it remains interesting for anyone intrigued by what makes the political world tick. Read full review

The Observer (UK) Barbara Ellen

Sep 10, 2024

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

SEE ALL 23 REVIEWS

User Score

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6.5

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Mixed:

Negative:

User Reviews

Ecurb

May 3, 2023

Fabulous show. Don't listen to the negatives. The acting by Kerry Russell is terrific. Very different than her other portrayals. Her husband steal the show, though.
Great story.

0 of 1 users found this helpful01

CharlieBrown8

Aug 12, 2023

Absolutely fantastic show. The relatable and grounded characters, Sorkin-style witty dialogue and the well-thought out story twists that never get too ludicrous, elevate this notable above similar shows like Madame Secretary. I work in foreign policy, and while this is of course farAbsolutely fantastic show. The relatable and grounded characters, Sorkin-style witty dialogue and the well-thought out story twists that never get too ludicrous, elevate this notable above similar shows like Madame Secretary. I work in foreign policy, and while this is of course far exaggerated fiction, the overall tone and mood was realistic and well captured. I found every single episode absolutely delightful. Can’t wait for Season 2!… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

obnoxiously

Apr 22, 2023

Great show. I find it hilarious that when political dramas don’t follow the point of view of “certain” audiences, they will bomb review an objectively good show, which fortunately hasn’t happened for this show anywhere but here on metacritic. Having said that, go to IMDb for more accurateGreat show. I find it hilarious that when political dramas don’t follow the point of view of “certain” audiences, they will bomb review an objectively good show, which fortunately hasn’t happened for this show anywhere but here on metacritic. Having said that, go to IMDb for more accurate audience reviews (it also helps also the number of reviews when comparing both sites). Now with the actual show… I think this season was great. It’s certainly in the middle of a good “hamburger” show and something more prestige, but I’m not sure. I think if it hadn’t been for Netflix, it would have had a more intense but less appealing writing for the general public. Having said that, I really enjoyed it! It did incredibly well this balance of drama with tints of smart comedy. The chemistry within the cast and specially between Keri Russell (who was absolutely fantastic) and Rufus Swell ( incredibly delightful performance) was top notch. The strongest part about this show was not the political drama but the relationships, and it’s something that hopefully will drive the next seasons. Nothing more fun and equally interesting than the fights between the two leads, and their very complicated marriage. I don’t often begin tv shows before the series is completed and finished, and -specially- not from Netflix, but I recently watched “The Americans” (which is one show everyone should watch at least once in their lifetime) and Keri Russell has earned the right for me to watch anything she’s in just because of her, and I am glad this time it didn’t disappoint. Hopefully Netflix knows this tv show can become something really great and masterful, and decide to keep it going hopefully for many more seasons, maybe then I will start again to watch new things, but who knows. Anyways, great watch and I completely recommend it.… Expand

5 of 8 users found this helpful53

shoulderoforion

Apr 22, 2023

I liked this first season immensely, even though, and I grant, there are some situations they have had to have gotten wrong, and make my eyes roll. I liked it much more than I didn't, and it kept me interested until the last episode. I hope they bring this back for a second season. I'veI liked this first season immensely, even though, and I grant, there are some situations they have had to have gotten wrong, and make my eyes roll. I liked it much more than I didn't, and it kept me interested until the last episode. I hope they bring this back for a second season. I've suffered, and ended early, many much worse productions over the past couple years, and this was an easy watch.… Expand

1 of 5 users found this helpful14

skwel

Apr 24, 2023

Another victim of 'netflixation' by algorithms catering to all, instead trying to find it own footing. Promising premise at first, then diluted. Not really an espionage, neither Sorkin's White House bored down to some office melodrama. Fortunately you can keep fast forwarding those parts.Another victim of 'netflixation' by algorithms catering to all, instead trying to find it own footing. Promising premise at first, then diluted. Not really an espionage, neither Sorkin's White House bored down to some office melodrama. Fortunately you can keep fast forwarding those parts. Script feels like written by AI, pretends to be smart, but quite empty and meaningless. Critics calling it 'extraordinarily smart' are either joking or not too smart.… Expand

4 of 7 users found this helpful43

Ewestre01

Jul 17, 2023

I understand that displaying a hard working strong-willed female character who does not wash her hair is forward thinking, but then she is also consistently abrasively attacking anyone who can help her, repeatedly betraying the one person who seems to genuinely appreciate her talents, andI understand that displaying a hard working strong-willed female character who does not wash her hair is forward thinking, but then she is also consistently abrasively attacking anyone who can help her, repeatedly betraying the one person who seems to genuinely appreciate her talents, and then going back to the man who obviously lies and manipulates her multiple times per day. The protagonist's defining leadership characteristic seems to be talking down to everyone who does not immediately agree with her point of view and want to do her bidding. She just does not seem to develop. The rhythm of these exchanges is so consistent and repetitive it becomes comedic, so it was sort of fun to predict the ups and downs of each conversation. Her: "You are stupid, I was in the trenches! Children dying before my eyes!" Other: "Gosh that would be breaking the rules!" Her: "Well the rules were made by idiots! Now do it my way!"

There is a good amount of time spent showing her shoving food in her face like an animal (why?) and quite a bit of allusion to her not bathing consistently. I guess that does happen and I would also be critical if she was perfect, gorgeous, well mannered and well dressed at all times, but it seems really overdone and unrealistic. We get it! These things are not her priority!

There are a few oddly out of place scenes in later episodes that seem to be attempting to show the characters attending to the little things in life in awkward ways (they are still just people I guess!), one being a midnight "raid" by husband and wife on the kitchen pantry as if they had not eaten in years. Such fun and frivolity! Cramming pies and tarts in our faces with no utensils!! You scoundrels, still just kids at heart! Ugh, so very forced and out of place.

Finally the supposed undeniable attraction between the main character and another central character (whom she has betrayed professionally multiple times to get her way) really has no chemistry whatsoever. It does not make sense, feels really forced, and when they are physically close to each other I actually cringe... it seems like the actors both are not feeling it.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

OlivierPiel

Apr 25, 2023

Well, let's just say, this is "bollocks" and sagging boring ones at that. And, as an other reviewer observed, Keri Russel still playing the same "uncompromising, strong yet constipated woman" character.

4 of 7 users found this helpful43

SEE ALL 12 REVIEWS

Seasons & Episodes

77

Series Overview
Season 3

84
- Season 3 Overview
  Air Date: October 16, 2025
Season 2

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

74
- Season 1 Overview
  Air Date: April 20, 2023
- tbd
  S1:E8. The James Bond Clause
  Air Date: April 20, 2023
- tbd
  S1:E7. Keep Your Enemies Closer
  Air Date: April 20, 2023
- tbd
  S1:E6. Some Lusty Tornado
  Air Date: April 20, 2023
- tbd
  S1:E5. The Dogcatcher
  Air Date: April 20, 2023
- tbd
  S1:E4. He Bought a Hat
  Air Date: April 20, 2023
- tbd
  S1:E3. Lambs in the Dark
  Air Date: April 20, 2023
- tbd
  S1:E2. Don't Call It a Kidnapping
  Air Date: April 20, 2023
- tbd
  S1:E1. The Cinderella Thing
  Air Date: April 20, 2023