--- title: "The Diplomat: the reviews" canonical: "https://film.one/tv/the-diplomat/reviews" title_page: "https://film.one/tv/the-diplomat" critics_score: 73 critics_reviews: 6 licence: "© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL." --- # The Diplomat (2023): what the critics said Critics' score 73 from 6 reviews: 4 positive, 2 mixed, 0 negative. Most critics find The Diplomat an entertaining political drama, with praise clustering around Keri Russell’s lead performance, brisk dialogue and the interplay between diplomacy and personal relationships. Russell and Rufus Sewell’s chemistry gives the central marriage much of its appeal, while the supporting cast helps keep the workplace manoeuvring lively. The more enthusiastic reviews value its accessibility and pace, finding that office melodrama makes government business engaging without making it look noble. The reservations concern how much weight the politics and plotting can bear. Several reviews find the international affairs unconvincing, the stakes weak or the tone uneven, even when the characters remain enjoyable company. Radio Times calls the drama simplistic and bland but credits the performances with keeping it entertaining; Collider finds Russell stronger than the shaky dramatic developments around her. The spread runs from enthusiasm to qualified enjoyment, with disagreement chiefly over how far the stars compensate for the writing. ## IndieWire — Ben Travers Rating B+. 19 April 2023. The series is a slick, hypnotic political thriller that excels through sharp dialogue and walk-and-talk energy rather than action. It blends political parlance with office melodrama effectively, keeping viewers engaged without idealizing government work. [Read the review](https://www.indiewire.com/2023/04/diplomat-review-keri-russell-netflix-series-politics-1234829122/) ## The Hollywood Reporter — Daniel Fienberg Fi1m's normalised score 80/100 (inferred from the text). 19 April 2023. Keri Russell anchors a smart, diverting political drama that's accessible and well-crafted in its depiction of diplomacy and relationships, though the plot stretches thin. [Read the review](https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-reviews/the-diplomat-review-keri-russell-netflix-1235391549/) ## The i Paper — Emily Baker Fi1m's normalised score 80/100 (inferred from the text). 20 April 2023. The critic finds it pacy, involving and charming, a strong political drama with zippy dialogue and focus on female power dynamics, though not quite The West Wing. [Read the review](https://inews.co.uk/culture/television/diplomat-netflix-review-political-drama-new-west-wing-close-2283339) ## Variety — Emily Tannenbaum Fi1m's normalised score 70/100 (inferred from the text). 19 April 2023. It's a soapy workplace drama rather than gritty thriller, entertaining with great chemistry between leads, but lacks consistent tone and high stakes in the plot. [Read the review](https://variety.com/2023/tv/reviews/the-diplomat-review-keri-russell-rufus-sewell-netflix-1235587814/) ## Radio Times — James Hibbs Rating 3/5. 19 April 2023. The critic calls it simplistic and bland but entertaining due to strong performances, especially Keri Russell and Rufus Sewell, with focus on character relationships over deep politics. [Read the review](https://www.radiotimes.com/tv/drama/the-diplomat-netflix-review/) ## Evening Standard 21 April 2023. The critic calls the show an interesting take on the political drama genre that juggles kidnappings, funerals and political infighting at a good pace, though it falls short of The West Wing. Strong supporting characters and the central marriage dynamic are singled out as highlights. [Read the review](https://www.standard.co.uk/culture/tvfilm/the-diplomat-on-netflix-review-keri-russell-b1074919.html) ## The Guardian 20 April 2023. The critic praises Keri Russell’s lead performance as the new US ambassador to the UK in this glossy political thriller, comparing her favourably to Martin Sheen in The West Wing. After a slow start the series becomes hugely enjoyable, with strong support from the cast including Rufus Sewell. [Read the review](https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2023/apr/20/the-diplomat-review-this-political-dramas-star-is-as-great-as-martin-sheen-in-the-west-wing) ## The Telegraph — Anita Singh 19 April 2023. The review describes the series as a semi-enjoyable mix of Homeland and Emily in Paris that features plenty of Britain-bashing, with Keri Russell’s ambassador saving the day from incompetent British politicians. Rufus Sewell’s husband character provides much of the fun amid the glossy nonsense. [Read the review](https://www.telegraph.co.uk/tv/2023/04/19/the-diplomat-netflix-review-homeland-meets-emily-in-paris/) ## Collider — Chase Hutchinson Rating C+. 19 April 2023. The critic finds the series so-so overall, praising Keri Russell's strong central performance as the one element holding it together while noting it fails to rise consistently to her level. It singles out the shaky dramatic developments and hollow theatrical tone that undercut tension and make the show feel built on a house of cards. [Read the review](https://collider.com/the-diplomat-netflix-review/) ## Paste — Shane Ryan Rating 7.6. 20 April 2023. The critic sees the series as relentlessly fun yet only half-serious, a slight entertainment saved by its stars rather than its geopolitics. It singles out the compelling, messy interplay between Keri Russell and Rufus Sewell as husband and wife for praise, while faulting the dicey grasp of international politics. [Read the review](https://www.pastemagazine.com/tv/the-diplomat/the-diplomat-review) --- © Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL. Our review: https://film.one/tv/the-diplomat.md