8 Thriller Shows Like The Diplomat to Watch While You Wait for Season 3
Netflix’s political thriller drama, The Diplomat, was renewed for a third season ahead of its second season debut on October 31. The series first debuted in on April 2023 and stars Keri Russell (Cocaine Bear, The Americans), Rufus Sewell (Kaleidoscope, The Man in the High Castle), David Gyasi (Carnival Row, Interstellar), Ali Ahn (Raising Dion, Liberal Arts), Rory Kinnear (Penny Dreadful, Skyfall), and Ato Essandoh (The Code, Jason Bourne). Season 2 welcomed guest star Allison Janney (I, Tonya; The West Wing) as Vice President Grace Penn.
The series follows Kate Wyler (Keri Russell), the new US Ambassador to the United Kingdom as a war is brewing on one continent and boiling over on another. Kate must diffuse international crises, forge strategic alliances in London, and adjust to her new place in the spotlight, all while trying to survive her marriage to fellow career diplomat and political star Hal Wyler (Rufus Sewell).
If you’re looking to for similar series while you wait for the new season, here are 8 shows like The Diplomat you can stream now.
Bodyguard (2018 miniseries)
Cast: Richard Madden, Keeley Hawes, Gina McKee, Sophie Rundle, Pippa Haywood, Stuart Bowman, Ash Tandon
Synopsis: After helping thwart a terrorist attack, a war veteran is assigned to protect a politician who was a main proponent of the very conflict he fought in.
Where to watch: Netflix
Designated Survivor (2016-2019)
Cast: Kiefer Sutherland, Natascha McElhone, Adan Canto, LaMonica Garrett, Italia Ricci, Kal Penn, Maggie Q, Jake Epstein, Paulo Costanzo
Synopsis: “A lower level United States Cabinet member (Kiefer Sutherland) is suddenly appointed president after a catastrophic attack kills everyone above him in the line of succession.”
Where to watch: Netflix
The Honourable Woman (2014 miniseries)
Cast: Maggie Gyllenhaal, Andrew Buchan, Stephen Rea, Lubna Azabal, Janet McTeer, Tobias Menzies, Katherine Parkinson, Lindsay Duncan, Eve Best, Philip Arditti, Genevieve O’Reilly, Igal Naor
Synopsis: “As children, Nessa Stein (Maggie Gyllenhaal) and her brother Ephra (Andrew Buchan) witnessed the assassination of their father, a well-known Israeli arms manufacturer. Now in her thirties, Nessa has taken control of the company and refocused its purpose on connecting Palestine and Israel to promote peace. Her efforts have resulted in an appointment from the House of Lords. Everything comes to a head when a secret from her past threatens to be exposed and those closest to her are potentially her most dangerous enemies.”
Where to watch: Apple TV, Prime Video
Homeland (2011-2020)
Cast: Claire Danes, Damian Lewis, Mandy Patinkin, Rupert Friend, F. Murray Abraham, Maury Sterling, Morena Baccarin, Jackson Pace
Synopsis: “A bipolar CIA operative becomes convinced a prisoner of war has been turned by al-Qaeda and is planning to carry out a terrorist attack on American soil.”
Where to watch: Disney+, Hulu
Madam Secretary (2014-2019)
Cast: Téa Leoni, Tim Daly, Željko Ivanek, Wallis Currie-Wood, Patina Miller, Bebe Neuwirth, Geoffrey Arend, Evan Rose, Erich Bergen, Kathrine Herze, Keith Carradine, Sebastian Arcelus, Sara Ramirez, Clifton Davis
Synopsis: “Having left her job as a CIA analyst for ethical reasons, newly appointed Secretary of State Elizabeth McCord returns to public life at the request of the president, after the suspicious death of her predecessor. Valued by her boss for her apolitical leanings, knowledge of the Middle East, language skills and creative thinking, Elizabeth drives international diplomacy, battles office politics and circumvents protocol while negotiating national and international issues. At home, politics and compromise take on new meaning with her supportive husband and three bright kids.”
Where to watch: Netflix
The Night Agent (2023 – )
Cast: Gabriel Basso, Luciane Buchanan, Hong Chau, Fola Evans-Akingbola, Sarah Desjardins, Eve Harlow, Phoenix Raei, D. B. Woodside, Enrique Murciano
Synopsis: “While monitoring an emergency line, a vigilant FBI agent answers a call that plunges him into a deadly conspiracy involving a mole at the White House.”
Where to watch: Netflix
The Night Manager (2016 – )
Cast: Tom Hiddleston, Olivia Colman, Alistair Petrie, Hugh Laurie, Michael Nardone, Tobias Menzies, Elizabeth Debicki, Hovik Keuchkerian, Tom Hollander, Douglas Hodge, Adeel Akhtar, David Harewood, Noah Jupe, Natasha Little, Antonio de la Torre
Synopsis: “The night manager of a Cairo hotel is recruited to infiltrate an arms dealer’s inner circle.”
Where to watch: Prime Video
Treason (2022 miniseries)
Cast: Charlie Cox, Olga Kurylenko, Oona Chaplin, Ciarán Hinds, Beau Gadsdon, Tracy Ifeachor, Alex Kingston
Synospis: “An MI6 deputy’s bright future takes a sharp turn after a reunion with a Russian spy forces him to question his entire life.”
Where to watch: Netflix
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