I was excited to learn that the great Netflix political thriller, “The Diplomat,” will be releasing a new season on Oct. 31. I thought it would be a good time to write a review of the first season which came out in April 2023. The TV show is about Kate Wyler, the fictional U.S. Ambassador to the United Kingdom and rising political star who faces diplomatic challenge after challenge after being thrust into office. The UK and US diplomats and politicians need to react quickly to find out who attacked a British aircraft carrier in the Persian Gulf. Ambassador Wyler also has to deal with the pressures of being internally floated as a future Vice President and the dynamic with her diplomat husband, Hal. Keri Russell and Rufus Sewell’s masterful acting ability led them to bring to screen the love-hate relationship between Hal and Kate Wyler. I also liked the behind the scenes look featuring Ambassador Wyler’s negotiations with the Foreign Secretary and the Prime Minister. In addition, the producers had permission to film inside the Foreign Office and the U.S. Embassy in London to make the show seem as realistic as possible. However, I do concede that the show may be biased against the Conservative Party because the show’s producers made the erratic Prime Minister a Conservative rather than leaving the party out of the show as they should. In addition, the United States and the United Kingdom’s special relationship would not be placed under this tumultuous pressure in real life. Other than those minute details, the show is engaging and funny. To the people who complain that this show is not 100 percent realistic, we as an audience watch television shows for entertainment, not to perfectly mimic everyday life. If I wanted to experience everyday life, I could watch or read the news.  

 The incredible number of high-pressure moments combined with a close attention to making the show realistic makes this show a must-watch for anyone interested in politics or international relations. If you enjoyed the shows “House of Cards,” “Veep” and “Designated Survivor,” then “The Diplomat” is made for you!