In The diplomatKate Wyler is always slightly nervous. Used to postings in war zones, she feels out of place in her new position as U.S. ambassador to the United Kingdom, with butlers ready to serve her in a house that practically resembles a castle. Thanks to Kate’s discomfort Series star Keri RussellShe is palpable: she has a distorted expression on her face, walks clearly agitated and has disdain for her outfits. (God forbid she wears brightly colored clothes or brushes a comb through her hair.) In addition to this gruffness, Russell also brings quick wit, confidence, and tenderness to the character. She makes Kate feel relatable and helps anchor this Netflix drama even when it veers into very soapy territory.

Of course, Russell fully embodied the characters in her last two major TV projects: bliss And The Americans. The diplomatby creator Debora Cahn, may bear a superficial similarity to the latter series. After all, like Elizabeth Jennings, Kate is also stuck in complex interstate conflicts and a delicate marriage. Although not almost as sharp and moving as this FX gem, The diplomat has some addictive, pulpy thrills that continue in these six new hour-long episodes that test Kate’s commitment to her job and her husband Hal (Rufus Sewell).

In the second season, she’s adjusted a bit to British life, even if that means occasionally putting on a maroon pantsuit and tying her hair in a bun, and has learned how to do that make better use of their power. As a reminder, in the season one finale, Kate learned that the terrorist attack that brought her to London in the first place was likely orchestrated by that country’s stubborn prime minister (Rory Kinnear). While she now wants to appease him, she now has to find out how far his deception goes. Are other countries like Russia and Iran involved? Is this all a hoax? And how much can she trust the Prime Minister’s former campaign manager/current whistleblower (Celia Imrie)?

Kate’s investigation leads her on a warpath with some surprising people, pushing the second season in wild directions where not all of the plot twists have the intended effect. (Often these twists can feel ridiculous or trite, as if they were ripped out of a piece Hometown And The West Wingboth of which Cahn wrote.) But the show’s tight pacing still makes these curveballs pretty fun to watch. The last few episodes are particularly tantalizing with the arrival of Allison Janney as US Vice President Grace Penn, who is on the verge of resigning due to a possible scandal. As revealed in the first season, Kate is the best candidate to replace her, and the UK appearance is a test run to see how she fares in public.

Russell and Janney chew up the landscape with its many Tête-à-têtes. Whether Kate and Grace are arguing or talking about what it’s like to be a leader fighting against misogyny, the actors are on fire here. Plus, it’s hard to tell right away where Grace’s intentions really lie, since projects don’t cast Janney in dull roles (unless they’re Apple TV+). Palm Royale). Much like Russell, she immediately brings layers to her character, which bodes well for the series recently announced third season.

Despite this cool new addition, the core of The diplomat still lies in the relationship between Kate and Hals. Their marriage is constantly on the rocks and the duo can turn a pleasant conversation into a bitter argument in just a few minutes. The intense back and forth between couples can seem grueling and monotonous, but maybe that’s the point. They’re just two normal people who struggle with communication issues and turbulent emotions (and a little infidelity) even in the face of power.

It’s a messy bond which Kate describes at one point in the second season as a “magic trick” in which both partners manipulate their story to their advantage. And that’s what makes the show enjoyable. She knows that Hal, with his cunning tactics as a former diplomat, can obtain information that she cannot. And he knows that Kate is his last chance at relevance. Beneath the lies, callbacks and mind games lies a strange kind of respect and love.

That is, by conflating their relationship with the larger political conspiracies, The diplomat makes some silly decisions, especially in the showstopping season finale. But the fast-paced storylines, while perhaps not realistic, make for an entertaining, easy-to-watch thriller with a damn good Russell performance.

The diplomat The second season premieres on October 31st on Netflix