Still Not OverThe Diplomat's Shock Ending? Here Are 11 Shows to Watch Next (Including Another Keri Russell-Led Series)

Mar. 15, 2025

Keri Russell, Ato Essandoh, Ali Ahn and Adam Silver.Photo:Alex Bailey/Netflix

Alex Bailey/Netflix

Fans ofThe Diplomatare no strangers to a cliffhanger.Netflix’s Emmy-nominated political drama follows American diplomat Kate Wyler (Keri Russell), who is reassigned to the United Kingdom and tasked with preventing a world war from breaking out. As she gets closer to identifying the perpetrators behind a fatal attack on the British, she learns that nothing is what it seems.“I wanted it to make people want more,” show creatorDebora CahntoldTudumin 2024 after the show’sdebut season was released. “I wanted to bring together all of the different dynamics of the political relationships and the personal relationships in one event that splits apart all at the same time.”Drama is plenty onThe Diplomat, and viewers are here for it. Netflix announced the series had been renewed for a third season on Oct. 10, three weeks before the second season even premiered. But with no release date in sight and onlysix episodes of season 2to watch, fans will have to wait a while for more explosions, conspiracies and cover-ups — or will they?From other heart-pumping titles Cahn has worked on to political dramas set in the U.K., here are 11 shows fans ofThe Diplomatcan enjoy while waiting for the next season.

Fans ofThe Diplomatare no strangers to a cliffhanger.

Netflix’s Emmy-nominated political drama follows American diplomat Kate Wyler (Keri Russell), who is reassigned to the United Kingdom and tasked with preventing a world war from breaking out. As she gets closer to identifying the perpetrators behind a fatal attack on the British, she learns that nothing is what it seems.

“I wanted it to make people want more,” show creatorDebora CahntoldTudumin 2024 after the show’sdebut season was released. “I wanted to bring together all of the different dynamics of the political relationships and the personal relationships in one event that splits apart all at the same time.”

Drama is plenty onThe Diplomat, and viewers are here for it. Netflix announced the series had been renewed for a third season on Oct. 10, three weeks before the second season even premiered. But with no release date in sight and onlysix episodes of season 2to watch, fans will have to wait a while for more explosions, conspiracies and cover-ups — or will they?

From other heart-pumping titles Cahn has worked on to political dramas set in the U.K., here are 11 shows fans ofThe Diplomatcan enjoy while waiting for the next season.

The AmericansKeri Russell and Matthew Rhys.DreamWorks/Amblin/FX/Kobal/REX/ShutterstockSet during the height of the Cold War in the 1980s, this 2013 FX series puts Russell on the other side of an international conspiracy. She andher real-life partner,Matthew Rhys, play married Soviet spies posing as a typical suburban family living in Washington, D.C. While fans ofThe Diplomatwill obviously love seeing a new side of their frontrunner,The Americansalso plays on the messiness of mixing politics and relationships.

The Americans

Keri Russell and Matthew Rhys.DreamWorks/Amblin/FX/Kobal/REX/Shutterstock

Set during the height of the Cold War in the 1980s, this 2013 FX series puts Russell on the other side of an international conspiracy. She andher real-life partner,Matthew Rhys, play married Soviet spies posing as a typical suburban family living in Washington, D.C. While fans ofThe Diplomatwill obviously love seeing a new side of their frontrunner,The Americansalso plays on the messiness of mixing politics and relationships.

BodyguardKeeley Hawes and Richard Madden.Sophie Mutevelian/World Productions/NetflixWhen war veteran David Budd (Richard Madden) starts work as principal protection officer for London’s political elite, he’s ready to fulfill his duty honorably. There’s just one problem. His assignment is Home Secretary Julia Montague (Keeley Hawes) — an ambitious politician who supported the very war he fought in. The 2018 series has all the things viewers love aboutThe Diplomat: hidden agendas, power struggles and posh British politics.

Bodyguard

Keeley Hawes and Richard Madden.Sophie Mutevelian/World Productions/Netflix

Sophie Mutevelian/World Productions/Netflix

When war veteran David Budd (Richard Madden) starts work as principal protection officer for London’s political elite, he’s ready to fulfill his duty honorably. There’s just one problem. His assignment is Home Secretary Julia Montague (Keeley Hawes) — an ambitious politician who supported the very war he fought in. The 2018 series has all the things viewers love aboutThe Diplomat: hidden agendas, power struggles and posh British politics.

The Night AgentGabriel Basso, Luciane Buchanan and Amanda Warren.Christopher Saunders/NetflixAccording to this political thriller, there’s a phone in the basement of the White House that never rings — except on the first night low-level FBI agent Peter Sutherland (Gabriel Basso) is manning it. The call kicks off a string of events that forces him to hunt down a government mole and stop a deadly plot before it’s too late.Searching for the truth in a world of conspiracies isn’t the only thingThe Night Agenthas in common withThe Diplomat. Like Cahn’s drama, its first season spent a lot of time in the Netflix Top 10 and is one of the streamer’s most popular series of all time. Season 2 is expected to hit the streamer in winter 2025, while a third season is in the works.

The Night Agent

Gabriel Basso, Luciane Buchanan and Amanda Warren.Christopher Saunders/Netflix

Christopher Saunders/Netflix

According to this political thriller, there’s a phone in the basement of the White House that never rings — except on the first night low-level FBI agent Peter Sutherland (Gabriel Basso) is manning it. The call kicks off a string of events that forces him to hunt down a government mole and stop a deadly plot before it’s too late.

Searching for the truth in a world of conspiracies isn’t the only thingThe Night Agenthas in common withThe Diplomat. Like Cahn’s drama, its first season spent a lot of time in the Netflix Top 10 and is one of the streamer’s most popular series of all time. Season 2 is expected to hit the streamer in winter 2025, while a third season is in the works.

The West Wing

“I was worried that it was going to feel like a gimmick,” Cahn said about adding Janney toThe Diplomatcast. “I was worried that it was going to be like, ‘Ooh, C.J. Cregg grew up and is Vice President.’ "

HomelandRupert Friend and Claire Danes in ‘Homeland’ season 4.Joe Alblas/ShowtimeLooking for another show with Cahn’s touch? Check outHomeland, a 2011 Showtime thriller starringClaire Danesas a bipolar CIA operative who is convinced a prisoner of war has turned on their government and is planning a terrorist attack. Working on the espionage series exposed Cahn to the ins and outs of the political game — and introduced her to an ambassador who planted the first seeds forThe Diplomat.“She looked so polite and unassuming, and if you had told me she was a librarian, I would’ve believed you,” the showrunner toldTudumin 2023. “And then she starts talking about what her career has looked like and it’s just breathtaking. The stories are breathtaking and very action-packed … and nobody knows about them. Those jobs, when done right, are completely invisible.”

Homeland

Rupert Friend and Claire Danes in ‘Homeland’ season 4.Joe Alblas/Showtime

Looking for another show with Cahn’s touch? Check outHomeland, a 2011 Showtime thriller starringClaire Danesas a bipolar CIA operative who is convinced a prisoner of war has turned on their government and is planning a terrorist attack. Working on the espionage series exposed Cahn to the ins and outs of the political game — and introduced her to an ambassador who planted the first seeds forThe Diplomat.

“She looked so polite and unassuming, and if you had told me she was a librarian, I would’ve believed you,” the showrunner toldTudumin 2023. “And then she starts talking about what her career has looked like and it’s just breathtaking. The stories are breathtaking and very action-packed … and nobody knows about them. Those jobs, when done right, are completely invisible.”

Madam SecretaryTéa Leoni.Sarah Shatz/CBSKate’s no-nonsense attitude inThe Diplomatis a lot likeTéa Leoni’s character in the 2014 CBS seriesMadam Secretary. The actress plays Elizabeth McCord, a former CIA analyst who gave up her career for a much less hectic life as a political science professor. But when the U.S. Secretary of State suddenly (and mysteriously) dies, the president asks her to step in. Like Kate, Elizabeth sometimes finds life in the spotlight more difficult to navigate than any global conflict.

Madam Secretary

Téa Leoni.Sarah Shatz/CBS

Kate’s no-nonsense attitude inThe Diplomatis a lot likeTéa Leoni’s character in the 2014 CBS seriesMadam Secretary. The actress plays Elizabeth McCord, a former CIA analyst who gave up her career for a much less hectic life as a political science professor. But when the U.S. Secretary of State suddenly (and mysteriously) dies, the president asks her to step in. Like Kate, Elizabeth sometimes finds life in the spotlight more difficult to navigate than any global conflict.

Designated SurvivorItalia Ricci, Maggie Q, Malik Yoba and Adan Canto.courtesy Everett CollectionWhen a deadly attack nearly wipes out the entire White House cabinet, the only surviving low-level member is thrust into the presidency.Kiefer Sutherlandstars as Tom Kirkman in this drama, which premiered in 2016, that shares a lot in common withThe Diplomat— namely, a politician whose skills are put to the test in the riskiest of circumstances.Designated Survivoralso features the lateAdan CantoandKal Penn, who worked as a White House staff member during former President Barack Obama’s administration.

Designated Survivor

Italia Ricci, Maggie Q, Malik Yoba and Adan Canto.courtesy Everett Collection

courtesy Everett Collection

When a deadly attack nearly wipes out the entire White House cabinet, the only surviving low-level member is thrust into the presidency.Kiefer Sutherlandstars as Tom Kirkman in this drama, which premiered in 2016, that shares a lot in common withThe Diplomat— namely, a politician whose skills are put to the test in the riskiest of circumstances.Designated Survivoralso features the lateAdan CantoandKal Penn, who worked as a White House staff member during former President Barack Obama’s administration.

The State WithinJason Isaacs.BBC FilmThis 2006 BBC miniseries also follows a diplomat, only this time, it’s the British ambassador to Washington, D.C. After a plane goes down over the city, Sir Mark Brydon (Jason Isaacs) finds himself at the center of a major conspiracy that could bring down the entire U.S. government. Explosions, suspicion and the looming threat of war are just a few of the many parallels betweenThe DiplomatandThe State Within.

The State Within

Jason Isaacs.BBC Film

BBC Film

This 2006 BBC miniseries also follows a diplomat, only this time, it’s the British ambassador to Washington, D.C. After a plane goes down over the city, Sir Mark Brydon (Jason Isaacs) finds himself at the center of a major conspiracy that could bring down the entire U.S. government. Explosions, suspicion and the looming threat of war are just a few of the many parallels betweenThe DiplomatandThe State Within.

Anatomy of a ScandalRupert Friend and Sienna Miller.Netflix / Courtesy Everett CollectionDirt is at the heart of every good political drama, and no show explores the danger of buried secrets better than this 2022 Netflix miniseries.Sienna Millerstars as Sophie Whitehouse, the wife of a minister in the British Parliament who is publicly outed for having an affair. The conspiracies unraveled inAnatomy of a Scandalaren’t as global asThe Diplomat’s, but they are just as twisty.

Anatomy of a Scandal

Rupert Friend and Sienna Miller.Netflix / Courtesy Everett Collection

Netflix / Courtesy Everett Collection

Dirt is at the heart of every good political drama, and no show explores the danger of buried secrets better than this 2022 Netflix miniseries.Sienna Millerstars as Sophie Whitehouse, the wife of a minister in the British Parliament who is publicly outed for having an affair. The conspiracies unraveled inAnatomy of a Scandalaren’t as global asThe Diplomat’s, but they are just as twisty.

ScandalKerry Washington and Tony Goldwyn.Mitch Haaseth/Walt Disney Television via GettySpeaking of scandal, no list of political thrillers is complete without this iconic drama fromShonda Rhimes.Scandalfollows Olivia Pope (Kerry Washington), a highly skilled crisis manager who gets her clients out of dicey PR nightmares and makes sure their secrets stay buried — just like her own. While Olivia may be more well-versed in the formalities of political life than Kate is inThe Diplomat, both women have a direct (and occasionally harsh) approach that fans love.

Scandal

Kerry Washington and Tony Goldwyn.Mitch Haaseth/Walt Disney Television via Getty

Mitch Haaseth/Walt Disney Television via Getty

Speaking of scandal, no list of political thrillers is complete without this iconic drama fromShonda Rhimes.Scandalfollows Olivia Pope (Kerry Washington), a highly skilled crisis manager who gets her clients out of dicey PR nightmares and makes sure their secrets stay buried — just like her own. While Olivia may be more well-versed in the formalities of political life than Kate is inThe Diplomat, both women have a direct (and occasionally harsh) approach that fans love.

Gaslit

Hilary Bronwyn Gayle / ©Starz / Courtesy Everett Collection

Most conspiracies highlighted in political dramas are too absurd to be real — except forGaslit. In this 2022 Starz miniseries, Julia Roberts portraysMartha Mitchell, the real-life wife of U.S. Attorney General John Mitchell and a whistleblower duringthe Watergate scandal. Martha’s decisions put her in a dangerous position politically, and likeThe Diplomat, they also have lasting effects on her marriage.

source: people.com