Netflix has dropped a brand-new series perfect for your next streaming binge. From showrunner Debora Cahn – writer and producer of The West Wing and Homeland – The Diplomat dropped on the platform on Thursday (April 20) and promises to be the streaming giant’s latest hit.
The series centres on Kate Wyler as she takes on her new role as US Ambassador to the UK. Kate was supposed to go to Afghanistan, but now she must diffuse international crises and forge strategic alliances in London, while adjusting to her new place in the spotlight and trying to survive her marriage to fellow career diplomat and political star Hal.
The series has been well received by both critics and general audiences, currently boasting a 91 percent score on Rotten Tomatoes. The Wall Street Journal praised The Diplomat’s “ingenious” plot and “brisk pace” that lend to its “high binge-ability factor,” while The New York Times lauded the “Aaron Sorkinesque high-comic, high-velocity style” of its writing.
READ MORE: Netflix issues update on account and password sharing crackdown as it begins global roll out
Billed as a “high-stakes, contemporary political drama,” the show features an ensemble cast of actors from the worlds of stage and screen. Here, we take a closer look at the cast of The Diplomat:
Netflix’s The Diplomat full cast list and where you know them from
Keri Russell
Leading The Diplomat is American actress Keri Russell as Ambassador Kate Wyler. Russel is perhaps best-known for Golden Globe-winning role as the titular character in drama series Felicity between 1998 and 2002.
She also starred as Elizabeth Jennings on the FX spy thriller series The Americans between 2013 and 2018. Russell has appeared in some of the world’s biggest film franchises, including her ill-fated turn in Mission: Impossible III, Dawn of the Planet of the Apes, and Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker, in which she played Zorii Bliss, an old acquaintance of Oscar Isaac’s Poe Dameron.
More recently, Russell played the lead role in the dark comedy Cocaine Bear.
Discover, learn, grow. We are Curiously. Follow us on TikTok, Instagram, Facebook and Twitter.
Rufus Sewell
Kate’s charismatic husband Hal Wyler is played by British actor Rufus Sewell. Sewell has had an extensive career on stage and screen for more than 30 years and is perhaps best-known for his roles in A Knight’s Tale, The Illusionist and the award-winning Judy.
He also starred in Amazon Prime Video shows The Man in the High Castle and The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, and most recently starred opposite Giancarlo Esposito in Netflix’s heist drama Kaleidoscope. Sewell earned a Laurence Olivier Best Actor Award in 2007 for his role in the stage production of Rock ‘n’ Roll.
David Gyasi
British foreign secretary Austin Dennison is played by British actor David Gyasi. The London-born actor is known for his roles in Cloud Atlas, Maleficent: Mistress of Evil, and as Endurance crew member Romilly in Christopher Nolan’s Interstellar.
His TV roles include Amazon Prime Video’s Carnival Row, CW’s Containment, BBC’s The A Word, and Netflix’s The Sandman.
Ato Essandoh
Kate’s deputy chief of mission Stuart Hayford is played by American actor Ato Essandoh. Essandoh is known for his TV roles in Chicago Med, Elementary, Blue Bloods, and Netflix’s hit sci-fi Altered Carbon.
His film credits include Garden State, Blood Diamond, Jason Bourne, and X-Men: Dark Phoenix.
Ali Ahn
Eidra Park, chief of the CIA station in London, is played by American actress Ali Ahn. She boasts supporting roles in several hit TV shows, including Dagon in Supernatural, Carly in Billions, and FBI Agent Nguyen in Orange is the New Black.
Ahn is set to star in upcoming Marvel series Agatha: Coven of Chaos for Disney+ in an as yet unspecified role.
Rory Kinnear
Prime Minister Nicol Trowbridge is played by British actor Rory Kinnear, who fans may recognise as Bill Tanner from the Daniel Craig-era James Bond films. His other film credits include The Imitation Game alongside Benedict Cumberbatch, Alex Garland’s Men, and his most recent role as Burnley banker Dave Fishwick in Netflix’s Bank of Dave.
Kinnear also boasts an extensive TV career, having appeared as Frankenstein’s monster in Penny Dreadful, Lord Lucan in ITV’s Lucan, and as another UK Prime Minister in the first episode of Black Mirror. In 2014, he won the Olivier Award for Best Actor for his portrayal of the villain Iago in the National Theatre production of Shakespeare’s Othello.
Nana Mensah
White House chief of staff Billie Appiah is played by American actress Nana Mensah. She is perhaps best known for her TV roles as Dr. Camila Candelario in US medical drama New Amsterdam and as Amara in Netflix’s 13 Reasons Why.
Mensah has had supporting roles in several films including The King of Staten Island and After Yang. In 2021, she wrote, directed and starred in the comedy-drama Queen of Glory.
Miguel Sandoval
US Secretary of State Miguel Ganon is played by American actor Miguel Sandoval. Sandoval boasts some impressive film credits since starting his career in the 1980s, including minor roles in such hits as Do the Right Thing, Jungle Fever and Jurassic Park.
He also appeared in Clear and Present Danger, Get Shorty and Blow. Sandoval starred in 130 episodes of supernatural drama Medium as D.A. Manuel Devalos, and has had guest roles in popular series including Frasier, ER, The X-Files, Seinfeld, Law & Order and Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman.
Most recently, he starred alongside Amy Adams in psychological thriller Sharp Objects and with Bill Hader in acclaimed dark comedy Barry.
Michael McKean
US President Rayburn is played by Michael McKean. The American actor is perhaps best-known for his role as Spinal Tap frontman David St. Hubbins in iconic mockumentary This is Spinal Tap.
His other film credits include Conehads, Little Nicky, and most recently appeared alongside Daniel Radcliffe in Weird: The Al Yankovic Story. McKean’s breakout role came in 1976 in the US sitcom Laverne & Shirley, in which he appeared in 149 episodes.
He was a cast member on Saturday Night Live from 1994 to 1995, and has had supporting roles in other hit shows including The X-Files, Smallville, Curb Your Enthusiasm and Good Omens. Fans may recognise him for his role as Chuck McGill in Breaking Bad spin-off Better Call Saul, for which he earned an Emmy nomination for Outstanding Guest Actor.
Celia Imrie
Celia Imrie plays the prime minister’s – unofficial – adviser Meg Roylin. The English actress and author is perhaps best-known for her collaborations with the late Victoria Wood, including Victoria Wood: As Seen on TV, dinnerladies, and Acorn Antiques: The Musical!, for which she earned the Laurence Olivier Award for Best Performance in a Supporting Role in a Musical.
She also starred in British series After You’ve Gone and Kingdom, and recently wrapped up her five-season run in US comedy-drama Better Things. Imrie’s first film role came in 1973 in the British thriller Assassin.
Her later credits include the Bridget Jones films, The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel and its sequel, Nanny McPhee and Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again.
T’Nia Miller
Austin Dennison’s sister Cecilia is played by British actress T’Nia Miller. She had guest appearances in several British shows including such as Babylon, Banana and Doctor Who, and is perhaps best-known for her roles in Witless, Years and Years, Marcella and Sex Education.
She recently starred in Mike Flanagan’s Netflix horror series The Haunting of Bly Manor as housekeeper Hannah Grose and is set to star in the upcoming The Fall of the House of Usher.
READ NEXT:
- 'My son's vomiting was put down to a hangover - the next day he was dead'
- Tragedy of fit and healthy young man, 29, who died suddenly just months before his wedding
- Sticky floors, Ben Sherman shirts, Lynx Africa and cig burns - the 'cheesy' 90s night club people would love back
- Drunk teenager tried to swap seats after crashing Ford Fiesta on way home from pub
- CCTV appeal after robber with handgun threatens Post Office staff for cash
