Hi movie and series lovers! The Diplomat, which started in 2023 on Netflix, impressed us with its smart political drama, fast-paced dialogues, and Keri Russell's acting with Season 1. Now Season 2 was released on October 31, 2024, giving us another rollercoaster ride with six episodes. Want to binge this series while sitting at home in Hyderabad and admiring Pulihora? However, let's see how this political thriller is and why Telugu audiences like it in a quick review!
Story: From cliffhanger to new twists
The Diplomat Season 2 starts with the shocking cliffhanger of Season 1. American Ambassador Kate Wyler (Keri Russell) is in the middle of political intrigue in London. At the end of Season 1, British Prime Minister Nicole Trowbridge (Rory Kinnear) is revealed to be behind an attack on a British warship, while Kate's husband Hal (Rufus Sewell), Deputy Stuart (Ato Essando), and another officer are caught in a car bomb blast.
The first episode of Season 2 reveals who survived and who died in the blast, but the twists and turns keep coming. Kate balances her crumbling marriage and romantic tension with British Foreign Secretary Austin Dennison (David Gacy) as she tries to unravel the conspiracy behind the two attacks. This season also sees the introduction of Allison Janney (The West Wing fame) as US Vice President Grace Penn, adding a new dimension to the series. The story gets more intense with Scottish independence, a nuclear base, and international intrigue, and the final episode ends with another shocking twist.
Performance: Keri Russell is a show stealer!
Keri Russell once again captivates the screen as Kate Wyler. She is smart, funny, and emotionally deep, making Kate a strong, relatable character. After an intense role as Elizabeth in The Americans, she combines humor and vulnerability as Kate here. Rufus Sewell is charming, if a little self-centered, as Hall, and their bickering scenes are as rich and flavorful as a plate of Hyderabadi biryani.
Alison Janney makes her mid-season debut as Grace Penn, elevating the series with her powerful presence. Her character is smart, manipulative, but with a human touch, which is a big plus for the season. Ali Ahan (CIA Station Chief Aidra) also impresses with her buttoned-up rage, her scenes on screen at Vijayawada PVR are guaranteed to give you goosebumps
Dialogues, Setting: West Wing Vibe
Creator Deborah Kahn (West Wing, Homeland) continues her signature style this season too—fast-paced, smart dialogues, political jargon, and soapy drama mixed in. The series specializes in turning a cocktail party scene into an action blockbuster tense affair. Locations in London, Paris, and Scotland (St. Paul's Cathedral, Old Royal Naval College) are a visual treat, and your home theater will shake when you watch it on Netflix in 4K Ultra HD, Dolby Atmos
The series balances political fantasy and reality. There are some neat details about British-American relations, CIA-GCHQ dynamics, and Brexit tensions, but some of the plots (especially the conspiracies) feel over-the-top. Still, this "dumb-fun" vibe is enough to binge the series, watching all six episodes in one night
Reception: A hit, but a small anthem
Season 2 has received a superb response from critics. It has a 95% fresh rating and a score of 8/10 on Rotten Tomatoes, calling it “the most entertaining drama on TV, with Keri Russell’s acting and explosive momentum.” The Guardian called it “like watching too many great shows at once,” and said that this season will be on the list of best dramas of 2024. https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2024/oct/31/the-diplomat-season-two-review-keri-russell
But, one small quibble—Season 2 is only six episodes, less than Season 1 (eight). Fans on X complained, “Waited 18 months and only six episodes? Why is Netflix doing this?” However, good news—Season 3 has already been confirmed, and will be released in 2025.
Why will Telugu audiences like it?
The Diplomat Season 2 is a sure-fire entertainer for Telugu audiences. Political intrigue, smart dialogues in dubbing (Telugu audio dubbing is not available, but you can enjoy it with English subtitles), and emotional drama give the feel of our mass thriller movies. The divorce tension between Kate and Hal connects like our Telugu family drama. The strong, decision-makers of the female characters (Kate, Grace, Aidra) feel inspiring to our audience.
Season 2 is perfect for weekend bingeing for Netflix subscribers in Hyderabad, Vijayawada, and Vizag with its fast-paced, twisty plot. Even though some plots break logic, the series' fun, engaging vibe will keep you hooked to the screen.
Conclusion: Binge-worthy political ride
The Diplomat Season 2 scores another hit with its smart dialogues, stellar performances from Keri Russell and Allison Janney. While six episodes may seem short, every scene is tense and entertaining, and the final twist builds anticipation for Season 3. This series is a political masala dose for Telugu audiences, and a must-watch for those who love thrillers like Homeland.
Rating: 4/5
Keri Russell, smart drama, shocking twists are the highlights, but six episodes are a bit short!