WARNING: SPOILERS ahead for The Diplomat season 1.

Summary

• Keri Russell returns in The Diplomat season 2, coming Oct 31, 2024 on Netflix, continuing the explosive political thriller series.
• The Americans, another series starring Russell, showcases her acting chops with critical acclaim and Emmy nominations.
• The Diplomat season 2 promises more twists and turns in Kate's diplomatic journey, along with returning fan-favorite characters.

One of the highest-rated political thriller series is the perfect show to watch while waiting for Prime Minister Trowbridge's secret false flag plot. The Diplomat season 2 will also see the return of season 1 actors David Gyasi, Ali Ahn, and newcomer Allison Janney.

The Diplomat was released on Netflix in April 2023, earning Keri Russell an Emmy nomination for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series. The show follows an ambitious and blunt US Ambassador Kate Wyler and her problematic yet charming husband Hal. Kate travels to the U.S. Embassy in London to consult the Prime Minister after an unprovoked missile attack on a British Naval ship. Through the first eight episodes of the acclaimed series, Kate is faced with a number of diplomatic challenges, some of which arrive from her own husband's frustrating antics. Her ability to persuade world leaders toward peaceful resolutions under very intense circumstances is tested.

All eight episodes of The Diplomat season 1 are available to stream on Netflix.

The Americans Was Keri Russell's Big Show Before The Diplomat - What It's About

The Americans follows two Soviet spies living in Washington DC in the 1980s

Before Russell starred in The Diplomat, she was one of the two leads in the acclaimed FX political series The Americans, which some consider to be among the greatest television series ever made. The Americans is a period piece that takes place during the height of the Cold War. The series begins after the inauguration of President Ronald Reagan in January 1981 and ends in December 1987. Russel and co-star Matthew Rhys play two Russian secret agents, Philip and Elizabeth Jennings, who appear to be an average American couple and a family with two children.

The Americans ran for a total of 75 episodes across six seasons between 2013 and 2018. The series was created by Joseph Weisberg, who also created the 2022 Hulu mini-series The Patient starring Domhnall Gleeson and Steve Carrel. The Americans also stars Keidrich Sellati and Holly Taylor, who play the children of Philip and Elizabeth named Henry and Paige. The Soviet spies live in the suburbs of Washington D.C. and expertly hide their true identities while working ordinary jobs as travel agents. Their mission is to gather intel on the American military for the USSR.

All 6 seasons of The Americans are available to stream on Hulu.

The Americans Is Keri Russell's Best-Ever Role

She was nominated for 3 Emmys for her role in The Americans

The Americans is often overlooked in the all-time great television show conversation but has the critical acclaim to back it up. Russell is absolutely phenomenal in her lead role as Elizabeth, which could very well mark the highlight of her illustrious acting career. Overall, The Americans has an impressive Rotten Tomatoes critic score of 96%, which is right up there with some of the greatest TV shows ever made such as Breaking Bad (96%), Succession (95%), Atlanta (98%), and Mad Men (94%). Season 1 of The Americans has the lowest critic score of 88% while season 3 has a perfect Rotten Tomatoes score of 100%.

Russell was nominated for 3 Emmys for her role in The Americans, earning Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series nominations in 2016, 2017, and 2018. The Americans earned a total of 18 Emmy nominations, winning four for Outstanding Writing for a Drama Series (2018), Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series (Matthew Rhys, 2018), and Outstanding Guest Actress in a Drama Series for Margo Martindale in 2015 and 2016. Needless to say, the acting in The Americans is exceptional across the board and has inspired some of the best dramatic television performances 21st century.

What To Expect From Keri Russell In The Diplomat Season 2

Kate will likely look deeper into Trowbridge's potential conspiracy

The Diplomat season 2 should pick up right where season 1's cliffhanger ending left off and will hopefully immediately determine whether Hal and Stuart survived the car bomb explosion that closed out the season. First looks at The Diplomat season 2 were revealed back in February 2024 in a Netflix sizzle reel that seemed to tease the return and survival of Hal. A recent Variety report noted that both Rufus Sewell and Atto Essandoh are expected to return for season 2, so perhaps that's the confirmation fans have been waiting for about their survival. Before The Diplomat season 2 hits Netflix on Halloween 2024, check out The Americans for an all-time political classic.