14/50

The only off-limits location was Winfield House, the real-life residence of the American ambassador

Story

In the midst of an international crisis, Kate Wyler, a career diplomat, takes on a prestigious position for which she is ill-suited, with tectonic consequences for her marriage and political future. Producers convinced both the Americans and the British governments to allow them to use real-life locations as filming locations for the series, including the still-new American embassy (at Nine Elms), which opened in 2018. The UK allowed filming at the Office of the Secretary of Foreign Affairs, an honor rarely given to any film or screen production, especially an American one.

Oh my God!

Although it is accurately described as occupying the largest residential plot (11 acres) in London, outside of Buckingham Palace, the producers used a country house outside the city for filming purposes. Honored at the 75th Primetime Emmy Awards (2024). Season 1 ended on a giant cliffhanger.

I don’t know if my heart can handle Season 3

Season 2 almost gave me a heart attack in the final minutes of Season 2. At first I thought it was going to be a weak, slow-burn political drama. Maybe a different kind of *feel good* TV drama like Madame Secretary.

Boy was I wrong

Every episode of The Diplomat will keep you on the edge of your seat. I watch them like a hungry animal. This is political theater at its best.

It’s even more cut throat than my wildest dreams

And even if it’s only a tenth of the truth of what REALLY goes on in American politics and the various agencies (CIA, Secret Service, Diplomacy), it’s still a wild ride. Keri Russell once again stars as a strong female protagonist, which reminds me why I love her role so much on The Americans. She’s brilliant!