Keri Russell has previously had incredible success with political thrillers, and Netflix's hit series The Diplomat has already built a devoted fanbase that calls back to her time on The Americans. Season 1 introduced her to the world as Kate Wyler, the United States Ambassador to the United Kingdom, and Rufus Sewell as her estranged husband Hal, whose own career in diplomacy has often put him at odds with his wife and nearly shattered their marriage.
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The Diplomat season 1 ended with Kate realizing that British Prime Minister Nicol Trowbridge (Rory Kinnear) was responsible for the aircraft explosion that set the show's events in motion. Before she can put a plan into action, however, another explosion is set off that leaves her husband's life hanging in the balance. The talented cast of The Diplomat also includes Ali Ahn as CIA chief Eidra Park, Ato Essandoh as Kate's deputy chief of mission Stuart Heyford, and David Giasi as British foreign secretary Austin Dennison.
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Screen Rant interviewed Russell and Sewell about their relationship in The Diplomat season 2, and how their characters each respond to the idea of "the cost of doing business." Russell also teased Kate's dynamic with Allison Janney's U.S. Vice President Grace Penn in the upcoming episodes, which is sure to excite fans of the show.
The Diplomat’s Keri Russell & Rufus Sewell Define “The Cost Of Doing Business” For Their Characters
For Hal, “It's about being a killer on the side of good.”
Screen Rant: After last season's explosive finale, I thought I had the answers, but the show changed all the questions. What does the phrase "the cost of doing business" mean to both your characters in the context of The Diplomat?
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Keri Russell: Okay, good question. Great question. I think that is a real theme of season 2 because Kate was really trying to buck the idea of being number one and the boss a lot of season 1, and her discomfort with that role. In season 2, she really is the boss. She is in charge of people; she's making decisions; she's making mistakes.
But she also has been in charge of people and has let people down, and I think there is some awareness that this is what Hal has always done and there should be some empathy for that. But when he says "the cost of doing business?"
In that moment, I think Kate sees it as, "Every life is important. Your means to an end should not negate people's lives. There is no such thing." But I also think in that moment, in the way every relationship is, he is not going to say the right thing. She is in an uncomfortable position; she's hurt. Stuart is mad at her and everything's wrong, so he's not going to say anything right anyway. But that was not the best way to say it. [Laughs]
Rufus Sewell: Part of their history, and part of his history when we start the show, is that he's a divisive figure. He is known for pulling off spectacular coups, in terms of making bold moves that [he] pulls off politically, and being able to commit to an idea that has risks and performing it. He can do amazing things that might be beyond the realm of or the scope or capabilities of other people.
However, there are risks, and as sometimes has happened with him in the past — and this is why he has a mixed reputation — those things can go wrong. He'll take a risk, and as happens in real life, sometimes there are consequences. Not for him, though! And I think it's been a mantra plainly for them, for him at least, to try to drill this into her because it's been a big point of contention. You have to take those risks. And when those risks don't pull off, that is the inevitable, unpleasant cost of doing business.
These people that we're playing, if you will have read your histories, you will have read about great kings and great leaders. And one of the things that distinguish greatness in this regard — not that I'm suggesting Hal [is great] — is the capability of looking beyond losses possibly of life, consequences, or collateral damage for something that actually has a greater good. It's a very difficult thing to do, but he's capable of at least being aware of that — and that people hold that against him too. It's about being a killer on the side of good.
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Keri Russell (And Kate) Is In Awe Of Allison Janney Joining The Diplomat Season 2
“Allison's character is so three steps ahead” of everyone else.
Screen Rant: Keri, Allison Janney joins the cast in season 2 as the vice president. What does Kate learn from the vice president this season? How does she view her when they meet initially?
Keri Russell: Well, I think she's dazzled by her. I think she thinks she is f--king prepared and cool. She's f--king Allison Janney! She does it all with ease and is in this man's world, and [Kate] really thinks she's great and is stunned by how capable she is.
I think Kate is a very capable workhorse. I think she's used to giving everyone the information and running the show. And Allison's character is so three steps ahead. She's like, "Yeah, keep going, keep going..." Which is great when things turn a little bit. It's just such good writing. And it's Janney! I mean, come on.
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More About The Diplomat Season 2
A deadly explosion in the heart of London shatters US Ambassador Kate Wyler’s world (Keri Russell). Struggling to rebuild the lives that broke and the team that split apart, Kate’s worst fears unfold: The attack that brought her to the UK didn’t come from a rival nation, it came from inside the British government. As Kate chases the truth, her only real ally is her almost-ex-husband Hal Wyler (Rufus Sewell), very much alive, and very much involved. She faces a fraught marriage, a complex dynamic with British Foreign Secretary Austin Dennison (David Gyasi), and a threatening visit from Vice President Grace Penn (Allison Janney).
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Check out our other The Diplomat interviews here:
The Diplomat season 2 begins streaming October 31 on Netflix.
Source: Screen Rant Plus
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The Diplomat
Drama
Thriller
The Diplomat is a Netflix drama/thriller series that tells the story of a career diplomat named Laura Simmonds as she wrestles with the complexities of her new job as ambassador to the U.K. As Laura attempts to acclimate to her high-profile, high-stress job, her marriage, and personal life begin to suffer in the midst of an international crisis.
Where to Watch
*Availability in US
- Cast
- Keri Russell , David Gyasi , Rufus Sewell , Rory Kinnear , Ato Essandoh , Ali Ahn , Jon Moore , Adam Silver
- Release Date
- April 20, 2023
- Seasons
- 1
- Streaming Service(s)
- Netflix
- Directors
- Liza Johnson , Simon Cellan Jones
- Showrunner
- Debora Cahn