Netflix’s ‘The Diplomat’ was renewed for a third season before season 2 even premiered
Courtesy of Netflix
Keri Russell in “The Diplomat”
Warning: The Diplomat spoilers ahead!
Netflix knows it has a hit show on its hands with The Diplomat.
The streaming service announced season 3 of the political thriller, starring Keri Russell and Rufus Sewell, on Oct. 10, 2024 — three weeks before season 2 even premiered.
“Season 3 flips the chessboard,” creator, showrunner and executive producer Debora Cahn told Tudum. “In Season 3, Kate [Wyler] lives the particular nightmare that is getting what you want.”
As the U.S. ambassador to the U.K., Kate attempts to prevent another world war after a British aircraft carrier was bombed. She spends season 1 and season 2 uncovering who was behind the bombing and finally learns that U.S. Vice President Grace Penn (Allison Janney) was responsible for the attack.
Meanwhile, Kate’s husband, former U.S. ambassador Hal Wyler, who narrowly survived a car bombing, continues to meddle in diplomatic affairs and remains determined to get Kate into the White House.
“I’ve already read everything of season 3,” Russell told Rolling Stone. “It’s so good in the way I want things to be good, and I just can’t believe that it’s still getting better.”
For fans who have already finished all six episodes of The Diplomat season 2, here is everything to know about season 3, including production details and who from the cast is returning.
What will The Diplomat season 3 be about?
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Allison Janney, Rufus Sewell and Keri Russell in “The Diplomat”
Netflix has yet to release plot details for The Diplomat season 3, but viewers will likely see Vice President Penn’s inauguration following the death of U.S. President William Rayburn.
Considering Kate is aware of Penn’s involvement in the deaths of 25 members of the Royal Navy, it’s unclear whether she will be asked to serve as vice president or, worse, fired from her role as ambassador.
Due to Cahn’s comments that Kate will live the “particular nightmare that is getting what you want,” fans can assume the former diplomat may become the VP, as she’s always dreamed.
As for Kate and Hal’s tumultuous marriage, are they still headed for divorce?
“It may be a marriage on its way out, but sometimes a marriage that seems like it may be on its way out is just in the middle of a change,” Sewell told PEOPLE in November 2024. “They’re fantastic together and a pain in the ass together and it’s all part of the same thing.”
Which cast members are returning for The Diplomat season 3?
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Rufus Sewell and Keri Russell at the New York City premiere of “The Diplomat” season 2
Russell and Sewell have confirmed that they’ll reprise their roles in season 3 of The Diplomat. They will more than likely be joined by Janney, Ato Essandoh (Stuart Hayford), Ali Ahn (Eidra Park), David Gyasi (Austin Dennison) and Rory Kinnear (Prime Minister Trowbridge).
While talking to PEOPLE in October 2024, Russell didn’t hold back her admiration for Janney, admitting that she “was nervous” when she learned that the Oscar-winning actress was joining the cast for season 2.
“She’s awesome and so good,” Russell said. “I love her.”
When does The Diplomat season 3 start filming?
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David Gyasi in “The Diplomat”
Production for The Diplomat season 3 is already underway, Sewell confirmed to PEOPLE. Filming is taking place in London and New York City.
“After an amazing summer shooting in the UK, we brought London home to N.Y.,” Cahn told Variety in October 2024. “Best of both worlds — filming in Brooklyn. We love doing this. We’re so excited to get to keep going.”
When will The Diplomat season 3 premiere?
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Rufus Sewell, Keri Russell, Ali Ahn, Allison Janney and Ato Essandoh in 2024
Netflix has not announced a premiere date for The Diplomat season 3.
Since production on the new season has already started, audiences can likely expect a 2025 release.
How did The Diplomat season 2 end?
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Ali Ahn, Keri Russell and David Gyasi in “The Diplomat”
Season 2 of The Diplomat ended with yet another cliffhanger.
In the final minutes of the season, Penn has a very blunt conversation with Kate, instructing her to keep quiet about her knowledge of the vice president’s involvement in the bombing of the HMS Courageous and to “stop chasing” the political position.
Simultaneously, Hal is on a call with President Rayburn to brief him on Penn’s traitorous schemes. The information ultimately causes Rayburn to have a fatal heart attack, and season 2 ends dramatically with the Secret Service sprinting to protect Penn, who will soon become the leader of the free world.
