The Diplomat remains just as strong in its eight-episode third season as series creator Debora Cahn sticks to a formula that continues to thrill.

All eight episodes of The Diplomat were available for press as early as late August. Having quickly binged the first two seasons earlier this year, you can imagine that I wasn’t going to put off the screeners for long. I just had to navigate a very busy pre-TIFF schedule to squeeze in The Diplomat’s third season. Lo and behold, it didn’t disappoint—and now I’m patiently awaiting season 4 to land in my queue. How soon, Netflix?!?

Ambassador Kate Wyler (Keri Russell) suddenly finds herself living out a twisted version of ambition fulfilled. She’s just accused Vice President Grace Penn (Allison Janney) of orchestrating a terrorist scheme and confessed her own desire for Penn’s job. Then the unthinkable happens: the President dies—possibly due to the actions of Kate’s husband, Hal (Rufus Sewell). With Penn now sworn in as Commander-in-Chief, Kate is thrust into the center of Washington’s chaos.

Hal, undeterred by the fallout, pushes harder than ever to secure Kate the vice presidency. Meanwhile, Kate must navigate a position she never wanted, test the limits of her newfound independence—so to speak—and juggle shifting relationships, including a delicate alliance with Foreign Secretary Austin Dennison (David Gyasi) and a fraught connection to First Gentleman Todd Penn (Bradley Whitford).

I would love to say more about the eight-episode third season of The Diplomat. However, it’s best that you know little going into what I expect will be a very quick binge. There will be plenty to discuss about what transpires this season, but don’t expect me to spoil it right now.

You know what they say: if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it. The Diplomat is a classic example of a political thriller—with a side of romance, because of course—that you just cannot get enough of. It’s a credit to series creator Debora Cahn, who brings together her love of foreign service officers and her experience working on The West Wing. After missing out on an Outstanding Drama Series nomination in season 1, I fully expect season 3 to join season 2 in earning one. My chief complaint is that eight episodes just aren’t enough—I enjoy hanging out with the Wylers and need more episodes ASAP!

Keri Russell continues her amazing performance in The Diplomat. She’s earned two Primetime Emmy nominations for the first two seasons, and her work in the third is every bit as consistent. It’s impossible not to buy into her portrayal of a working American ambassador because she’s doing such a phenomenal job in front of the camera. It doesn’t hurt that the series surrounds her with an equally phenomenal cast.

Let me just say how much I love that The Diplomat added Bradley Whitford to the cast in the third season. I especially love the moment when he arrives after Grace becomes president and the two of them hug. On one hand, it can be read as the characters sharing a bittersweet moment—but on the other, it plays as a reunion between two West Wing alums. We don’t have to worry about their chemistry; we know they’ve worked together before. There’s no faking friendship in front of the camera—although there is one late-season moment where you might ask whether Josh Lyman would really do that with C.J. Cregg.

At this point, The Diplomat isn’t just one of Netflix’s best shows—it’s appointment viewing. Season 3 delivers everything I want from this series: political intrigue, whip-smart dialogue, and just enough chaos to keep things messy. Bring on season 4 already!

CREATOR/SHOWRUNNER: Debora Cahn
DIRECTORS: Alex Graves, Tucker Gates
WRITERS: Debora Cahn (301, 308), Anna Hagen (302), Eli Attie (303), Jessica Brickman (304), Peter Noah (305), Peter Ackerman & Debora Cahn (306), Julianna Dudley Meagher (307)
EXECUTIVE PRODUCERS: Debora Cahn, Janice Williams, Keri Russell, Peter Noah, Alex Graves
CAST: Keri Russell, Rufus Sewell, David Gyasi, Ali Ahn, Rory Kinnear, and Ato Essandoh
GUEST STARRING: Allison Janney, Nana Mensah, Celia Imrie, Michael McKean, Miguel Sandoval, with Bradley Whitford

Netflix launches season 3 of The Diplomat on October 16, 2025. Grade: 5/5

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