‘The Diplomat’ puts the focus back on Keri Russell and Rufus Sewell’s electric chemistry with a successful Season 3 refresh. Season 3 of “The Diplomat” is the first part of the Netflix political drama to be released after the 2024 presidential election, which means the show now feels even more like an escapist fantasy than before. When we see Ambassador Kate Wyler (played by Keri Russell) walking through the halls of the United States embassy in London, seriously trying to address Denmark’s worries about British oil drilling in the North Sea and celebrating bipartisan treaties as the secret to popularity at home, it is difficult not to compare this to a reality where Elon Musk’s supporters damage USAID or trade wars are carried out on Truth Social.
These feelings become even stronger because of the cliffhanger at the end of Season 2, in which President William Rayburn (played by Michael McKean) died from a heart attack and his vice president, Grace Penn (played by Allison Janney), was moved into the leading role.
Other Changes Were Also Made That Brought The Series Back To Its Core Strengths
If watching a female vice president who is unsure how much distance she should keep from her former boss while trying to take over his role gives you an uneasy feeling, then this season might be difficult to watch. The good news is that “The Diplomat,” which is still led by creator Debora Cahn, introduces other changes that return the series to its main strengths.
With only six episodes and a fast-paced story that takes place right after an explosion that injured several main characters, Season 2 shifted its attention away from the unstable marriage between Kate and her husband Hal (played by Rufus Sewell), who is also an experienced member of the foreign service. The faster pace helped stabilize the series, or perhaps helped viewers get used to its mix of tones, which combines rapid policy discussions with intense romantic chemistry. However, Season 3 does more than just continue the existing storyline and makes real changes to the current situation.
The Diplomat Is Actually Returning To Its Original Focus
Interestingly, changing the direction of “The Diplomat” actually brings the series back to its original focus, which is the struggle between two ambitious people who are both pushing against the gender roles within a monogamous heterosexual marriage.
Grace’s sudden promotion creates several new positions in the administration, including her former role. Hal had spent the first two seasons trying to get Kate promoted to vice president as a way to make up for putting his own career first, but Kate saw his secret plans as another example of him acting for himself. One of the main conflicts in the show is whether Hal truly wants Kate to lead, which is why Grace offering the job to Hal instead of Kate adds powerful tension and benefits the story.
