Ali Ahn on Navigating Eidra’s Complexity in Netflix’s Hit Political Drama Series, ‘The Diplomat’ & More

Our latest digital cover for Popternative Magazine for the month of June features actor Ali Ahn, known for her incredible work as Eidra Park in Netflix’s hit political drama series, The Diplomat, and as Alice Wu-Gulliver in Marvel’s Agatha All Along on Disney+.

Season 1 of The Diplomat first premiered in April 2023 and immediately became Netflix’s #1 most-viewed title during its first two weeks alone. Created by Debora Cahn (The West Wing), the series also stars Keri Russell, Rufus Sewell, David Gyasi, Rory Kinnear, Ato Essandoh, Nana Mensah, Celia Imrie, Michael McKean, and Allison Janney. Season 3 will debut in Fall 2025, and has already been renewed for a fourth season ahead of its Season 3 premiere.

In our exclusive cover feature, Ali discusses the complexity of the characters in The Diplomat including her own, what viewers can expect from her character’s storyline in Season 3, working on Agatha All Along, and much more.

Exclusive photos for Popternative Magazine by Emily Soto

Styling: Fred Kim
Hair: Seiji Yamada
Makeup: Samantha Lau
PR: Shelter PR

Cover Photo
Dress: 3.1 Phillip Lim
Earrings: KBH Jewels
Rings: David Yurman

When you first read the scripts for The Diplomat, what drew you into Eidra’s storyline? What do you enjoy most about being part of this series? Can you speak to the complexity of the characters, the chemistry with the cast, or the high-stakes political backdrop?

Ali: The first season introduces Eidra at an inflection point in her life; this successful, ambitious woman is considering for the very first time, making an accommodation in her professional life for a romantic relationship. And the humor and nuance with which the scripts navigated that tension was really exciting. Usually, when you come across these kinds of badass boss-bitch characters, you don’t get to see behind their mask of efficiency and toughness. But the Diplomat scripts gave these wonderful glimpses into Eidra’s internal life, her sense of humor, her fears.

It’s such a fun challenge to navigate how to express vulnerability in a character whose job requires her to be guarded and hard to read. The writing on this show collapses the mundane and the worldly in such a brilliant way and it’s such a gift as an actor. Honestly, I’m still wrapping my head around how lucky it all feels! This is the first opportunity I’ve had to portray a complex character onscreen – someone whose emotional life is significant to the storyline. And the fact that I get to do that with writing this muscular and funny and a cast this talented and generous is beyond thrilling.

Without giving too much away, what excites you most about where Eidra’s journey is heading next season?

Ali: I love that we get to see Eidra not have all the answers. She’s struggling professionally and I think that’s a first for Eidra. Her job and the mission of that job are her utmost priority and I’m excited for audiences to see Eidra questioning the decisions she’s made.

How has your approach to playing Eidra evolved compared to past roles? Do you find yourself carrying over techniques or mindsets from earlier projects, or do you like to start fresh with each character?

Ali: I approach most jobs the same way. I read the script over and over again and I try to absorb the story as an audience member soI can understand the function my character plays within the larger story. It’s all quite nerdy and involves a lot of scribbled notes and questions in the margins. With Eidra, I have to have a firm grasp on the political intricacies and stakes before I can begin to figure out her point of view. So, I spend a lot of time outlining the actual events of each episode and wrapping my head around the plot more than with other projects.

I would say that playing Eidra has taught me a lot about restraint and economy. She is someone who assesses and absorbs information rather than reveals. So, I think about what Eidra doesn’t say in a scene as much as what she does. What she withholds is often more important. And then I cross my fingers and hope that I’ve managed to convey that there’s a lot going on underneath her calm exterior and that I’m not just dead behind the eyes!

What has Debora Cahn, The Diplomat, and/or Keri Russell taught you as a storyteller? 

Ali: The main thing I’ve learned on this job is less is more. I think that’s probably only applicable when the writing is this good because you’re mostly just trying to get out of the way and not fuck things up. Getting to watch Keri work is a lesson in simplicity. She understands that being truthful is not the same thing as being flashy, which a lot of actors forget. But at the same time that Keri is so unforced, she is also hyper aware of what the shot requires and where the camera is. She understands how many elements are involved in telling the story and that she is just one part of it. Being on set is such a team sport and Keri’s generosity allows everyone to do their best work. 

Deb has really taught me to trust my instincts and take up more space than I honestly feel comfortable doing on camera. Before The Diplomat, I’d always felt rushed along, and Deb not only empowered me to take my time, but also taught me how important that space is for allowing an audience in. I’m just so lucky to be working with two people who are so dedicated to the integrity of the story without losing sight of how fun it is to get to do what we do. 

Were there moments on set or within your character’s arc that changed how you think about acting or your craft? 

Ali: It’s a small moment but it really crystallized something I’m trying to work on. We were doing this wide shot of St. Paul’s cathedral from the balcony, and I was supposed to just walk across the frame to show Eidra enroute to a secret meeting. And the wonderful Alex Graves, who directs many of our episodes, suggested I check my watch at some point while I crossed frame. It was a small detail that reinforced the tight choreography of Eidra’s plan and the pressure she is under without manufacturing extra signifiers of “stress.”  I’m still learning to act for the camera as opposed to the stage and it was a great reminder that it’s a visual medium and behavior and gesture can do so much storytelling for you.

Switching gears to Agatha All Along, can you share a behind-the-scenes moment that left a lasting impression on you? How did it differ from your experience working on The Diplomat?

Ali: One of the first things we shot was the scene where the coven sings the chant that opens the Witches Road. The harmonies aren’t simple and most of us aren’t singers, certainly not Patti Lupone level singers anyway. And we didn’t realize that we were going to have to take turns singing our vocal parts alone while everyone else listened and mouthed along. It was nerve-wracking and embarrassing in this way that mirrored how exposed each character felt at that point the story. And something about bearing witness to everyone’s vulnerability so early on created a kind of sacred vibe that day that I think is reflected on camera.  I certainly did not anticipate how powerful the chant would feel and people really ate that moment up! The Diplomat is such a heady, intellectual show and my brain needs to be firing on all cylinders just to be able to wrap my mouth around the dialogue. Agatha All Along was the opposite in that it’s rooted in the physical and the sensual. It required a kind of bodily surrender and was a perfect departure from the work I’d been doing as Eidra.

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Seasons 1 and 2 of The Diplomat are streaming on Netflix and Season 1 of Agatha All Along is streaming on Disney+

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