The Diplomat season 2 was one of Netflix’s most highly-anticipated second outings, and it returned in late 2024 with a triumphant six-episode stint. The second season of The Diplomat follows-up the eight-episode series starring Keri Russell as Kate Wyler, an American diplomat and the United States Ambassador to the United Kingdom. She and her career diplomat husband Hal Wyler (Rufus Sewell) struggle with their contentious relationship and, at the same time, try to stop a war after a British aircraft carrier is bombed near Iran.
The first season ended on a cliffhanger with the British Prime Minister Nicol Trowbridge (Rory Kinnear) discovered to be the instigator of the bombing, setting up a continued story for The Diplomat season 2. The show’s success didn’t stop there, and the explosive second outing escalated tensions with the arrival of disgraced United States Vice President Grace Penn (played by Allison Janney). With the series’ future secured through season 3, it’s safe to say that The Diplomat season 2 is a fitting successor to the award-winning debut.
The Diplomat Season 2 Reactions
An Ambitious & Flawed Second Outing
Initial reactions to The Diplomat season 2 have been mixed but positive, and many reviews have praised the series for its ambitious escalation. However, that has been a double-edged sword for the series, as the very same reviews often note that the show risks tilting into the ridiculous if the storylines continue as they have been progressing. As for aggregated reviews, the show has earned a score over 90% on Rotten Tomatoes, and that matches the debut season’s impressive reception.
Underneath the criticisms of the show’s overly ambitious storylines, one consistent positive has been the performance of Keri Russell as Kate Wyler (via Variety), and there’s no denying that The Diplomat is her show. Kate’s evolving relationship with her estranged husband, Hal, manages to remain the most compelling aspect of the series even as other parts of the show grow increasingly bombastic.
The Diplomat season 2 debuted all six episodes on October 31, 2024.
The Diplomat Season 2 Cast
Season 2 Added Some Big Names
The cast of The Diplomat season 2 not only featured a bevy of returning faces, but added a few new names as well. Keri Russell returned in the role as Kate, and she didn’t miss a beat with her masterful performance. Joining her, Allison Janney (The West Wing) plays disgraced US Vice President Grace Penn, who has it out for Kate. Rory Kinnear returned as Prime Minister Nicol Trowbridge, and though he was nearly killed by the explosion at the end of season 1, Kate’s husband, Hal, also returned (played by Rufus Sewell).
The cast of The Diplomat season 2 includes:
Actor
The Diplomat Role
Keri Russell
Kate
Rufus Sewell
Hal
Allison Janney
Vice President Grace Penn
Rory Kinnear
Prime Minister Nicol Trowbridge
David Gyasi
Austin Dennison
Ali Ahn
Eidra Park
Ato Essandoh
Stuart Heyford
The Diplomat Season 2 Trailers
Watch The Trailers Below
In anticipation of the show’s sophomore season, Netflix revealed a brief teaser for The Diplomat season 2 in September 2024. Catching up with the events of season 1, the teaser reveals that Hal survived his ordeal with the bombing, but that doesn’t put his relationship with Kate back on the right track. Meanwhile, Vice President Grace Penn establishes herself as a new adversary for Kate, and their relationship is contentious from the start.
A few weeks after the first teaser, Netflix revealed a full trailer for The Diplomat season 2. The lengthy trailer catches up with Kate and Hal as the latter is being treated for his wounds caused by the explosion at the end of season 1. Despite their ordeal, the couple is still cool towards each other, but must put up a brave face to the public. Kate digs deeper into the international conspiracy behind the bombing, and she has a battle of words with US Vice President Grace Penn.
The Diplomat Season 2 Ending & Spoilers
An Even Bigger Cliffhanger Concludes Season 2
Vice President Penn isn’t just some ineffectual lame duck, and she has a profound impact on season 2’s trajectory that carries over through the ending and into season 3 as well.
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There were many questions that The Diplomat season 2 had to answer, and the sophomore season managed to solve a few riddles while posing a lot more. The cliffhanger ending of season 2 not only changes the entire complexion of the future of the show, but puts Kate in a uniquely political pickle. Unsurprisingly, Vice President Penn isn’t just some ineffectual lame duck, and she has a profound impact on season 2’s trajectory that carries over through the ending and into season 3 as well.
The Diplomat Season 3 Setup
Netflix Has Renewed The Show For Another Season
Making the announcement before season 2 even debuted, Netflix has confirmed that The Diplomat season 3 is in the offing. This tracks with the conclusion of season 2, which was an even more obvious setup than even it’s predecessor. However, the impact of season 2’s ending isn’t simply a teaser to keep viewers invested for more, but instead represents a complete change in the trajectory of the series, and Kate’s life may never be the same once season 3 picks up the story.
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