Get ready to dive into political intrigue and diplomatic drama with The Diplomat, an American political thriller television series created by Debora Cahn.
Premiering on Netflix on April 20, 2023, the series stars Golden Globe winner Keri Russell as Kate Wyler, a seasoned U.S. diplomat navigating high-stakes global conflict after being unexpectedly appointed American ambassador to the United Kingdom.
The show quickly became a breakout hit, earning Russell nominations at the Screen Actors Guild Awards, Golden Globes, and the 75th Primetime Emmy Awards for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series.
Following its success, The Diplomat was renewed for a second season in May 2023, with the second season premiering on October 31, 2024. In October 2024, Netflix confirmed a third season, set to debut in 2025.
Janice Williams, Ali Ahn, David Gyasi, Keri Russell, Rufus Sewell, Ato Essandoh, Nana Mensah, and Debora Cahn attend The Diplomat – NY Premiere on April 18, 2023, in New York City (Credit: M10s / TheNews2 / Cover Images)
With her new role comes new challenges as she navigates the spotlight and forges new alliances while maintaining her marriage to fellow diplomat and political star Hal Wyler, played by Rufus Sewell.
Although their characters may not always get along, The Diplomat boasts a cast of exceptional actors and well-known celebrities.
Let’s look at the six actors lending their skills to the series and their previous appearances, and rank them from tallest to shortest.
1. Ato Essandoh as Stuart Hayford – 6 Feet 3¼ Inches (191 cm) of Commanding Presence
In The Diplomat, Ato Essandoh, who towers at 6 ft 3 ¼ inches (191.1 cm), plays the character of Stuart Hayford, Kate’s right-hand man and deputy chief of mission at the U.S. Embassy in London.
Ato Essandoh looks sharp in a burgundy traditional ensemble paired with sleek black leather dress shoes at The Diplomat premiere (Credit: Lev Radin / Shutterstock)
As a former campaign manager in Washington, DC, Stuart has his finger on the pulse of events at the White House, often knowing what’s happening before Kate does.
Ato Essandoh brings his considerable acting chops to the role, having appeared in various films and television shows. His recent credits include X-Men: Dark Phoenix, Chicago Med, and the Showtime adaptation of Let the Right One In.
Ato Essandoh plays the role of Stuart Heyford, the Deputy Chief of Mission, while Keri Russell plays the role of Ambassador Kate Wyler in the American political thriller television series The Diplomat (Credit: Netflix)
However, the American actor is best known for his work in films such as Copper, Jason Bourne, Garden State, Blood Diamond, Altered Carbon, The Code, Away, Elementary, and Blue Bloods.
2. Rufus Sewell as Hal Wyler – 6 Feet (183 cm) of Seasoned Diplomatic Swagger
Rufus Sewell is 6 ft (182.9 cm) tall and portrays the character of Hal Wyler, Kate’s husband and a seasoned professional diplomat. Hal has made a fair share of enemies as a key player in numerous war endings.
Despite his support for Kate’s new role as the American ambassador to the United Kingdom, Hal struggles to take a back seat and watch from the sidelines.
Posing with his girlfriend Vivian Benitez, Rufus Sewell looked dapper in a double-breasted black suit paired with polished brown oxford shoes at The Diplomat premiere (Credit: Lev Radin / Shutterstock)
Rufus showcases his exceptional skills in the show, leveraging his recent experiences in popular Netflix series such as Kaleidoscope and his notable performances in films like Old and the American sci-fi series The Man in the High Castle, which aired from 2014 to 2019.
With a career spanning over three decades, Sewell has appeared in numerous acclaimed films, including Judy, A Knight’s Tale, The Legend of Zorro, The Illusionist, The Holiday, and Tristan & Isolde.
Rufus Sewell as Hal Wyler and Celia Imrie as Margaret Roylin in Netflix’s latest thriller series The Diplomat (Credit: Netflix)
Among the notable projects featuring the British actor are popular television series such as Victoria, The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, and The Pale Horse.
3. Rory Kinnear as Nicol Trowbridge – 6 Feet (183 cm) of Political Turbulence
Rory Kinnear portrays the obnoxious and self-absorbed British Prime Minister Nicol Trowbridge, who is 6 ft (182.9 cm) tall.
Nicol’s hawkish approach to politics often overshadows his better judgment, and his erratic behavior and misguided worldview constantly challenge Kate and her team.
Posing with his wife, Pandora Colin, Rory Kinnear kept it casual in a navy button-down and blazer paired with denim jeans and slate gray suede shoes featuring bright blue laces, while Pandora stood out in a red leopard-print dress and bold red Mary Jane heels (Credit: Featureflash Photo Agency / Shutterstock)
The English actor, who is known for his roles in Men, the Daniel Craig era of the James Bond film franchise, and the American period romantic comedy television series Our Flag Means Death, previously played a different British Prime Minister in the debut episode of the anthology series Black Mirror.
Rory Kinnear plays the role of the volatile Conservative Prime Minister Nicol Trowbridge in the Netflix series The Diplomat (Credit: Netflix)
In addition, Rory has appeared in various acclaimed films and TV shows, including The Imitation Game, Years and Years, Bank of Dave, Lucan, and Penny Dreadful: City of Angels.
4. David Gyasi as Austin Dennison – 5 Feet 9¾ Inches (177 cm) of Principled Power
David Gyasi stands at 5ft 9 ¾ inches (177.2 cm), bringing his talent to The Diplomat as British Foreign Secretary Austin Dennison. Austin is a crucial ally for Kate in the UK, particularly when addressing significant issues.
The British actor portrays him as a principled, distant, and highly competent diplomat, although he becomes frustrated when his head of state begins acting erratically and possibly dangerously.
Posing with co-stars Ali Ahn and Nana Mensah, David Gyasi exuded effortless cool in a lavender plaid suit and black turtleneck, paired with sleek black dress shoes, while Ali stunned in a plunging black-and-white mini with pointed stilettos and Nana turned heads in a bold off-the-shoulder orange gown with gold heels (Credit: Lev Radin / Shutterstock)
David is a highly regarded actor with a diverse portfolio of film and television credits. He has graced the big screen in major productions such as Interstellar and Annihilation, as well as critically acclaimed films including Cloud Atlas, The Whale, and Panic.
David Gyasi portrays British Foreign Secretary Austin Dennison, and Keri Russell portrays the new United States ambassador to the United Kingdom in the TV series The Diplomat (Credit: Netflix)
On the small screen, David delivered standout performances in notable shows like the BBC series White Heat in 2012 and Troy: Fall of a City in 2018.
He also starred in the CW miniseries Containment in 2016 and captivated audiences in the Amazon Prime series Carnival Row from 2019 to 2023.
5. Keri Russell as Kate Wyler – 5 Feet 4 Inches (163 cm) of Poise and Authority
Keri Russell is 5ft 4 inches (162.6 cm) tall and plays the lead character, Kate Wyler. Kate is an experienced U.S. diplomat about to embark on a mission in Afghanistan when the President of the United States assigns her a new role as the U.S. ambassador to the United Kingdom.
She is initially overwhelmed by the new challenge, feeling unprepared and underqualified for such a prestigious position.
Keri Russell and Rufus Sewell, who play estranged spouses Kate and Hal Wyler in The Diplomat, reunited on the red carpet with Russell turning heads in a dramatic plum Saint Laurent cutout gown and Sewell looking sharp in a classic black double-breasted suit (Credit: M10s / TheNews2 / Cover Images)
Keri is a well-known American actress who gained fame as the titular character in the television series Felicity, for which she won a Golden Globe Award.
The 47-year-old star has also appeared in various films, including Antlers, Waitress, August Rush, Honey, I Shrunk the Kids, We Were Soldiers, Mission: Impossible III, Dawn of the Planet of the Apes, and Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker.
To promote her new television show, The Diplomat, Keri Russell arrived at the NBC studios in New York City to make a guest appearance on the Today Show in Bottega Veneta Mostra Mary-Jane pumps paired with a grey skirt and a Celine blouse showcasing the brand’s signature Triomphe print (Credit: BauerGriffin / INSTARimages)
Additionally, Keri has appeared in several critically acclaimed television shows, such as The Americans, Austenland, Extraordinary Measures, and Running Wilde. Recently, she portrayed a supporting role in the comedic film Cocaine Bear.
Keri Russell Wows in Saint Laurent at The Diplomat Premiere – Petite Power
Keri Russell, accompanied by her husband Matthew Rhys, graced the black carpet at the Park Lane Hotel in Manhattan for The Diplomat New York premiere. Matthew sported a sophisticated navy blue jacket and matching pants, complemented by a crisp white button-up shirt.
On the other hand, the actress looked stunning in a floor-length, deep purple, cut-out gown from Saint Laurent’s Spring 2023 collection, which exuded the brand’s signature blend of feminine and edgy style.
Matthew Rhys and Keri Russell met in 2013 when they starred together in the TV series “The Americans,” in which they played a married couple (Credit: M10s / TheNews2 / Cover Images)
Her gown featured slouchy long sleeves with a diamond-shaped peekaboo cutout at the navel, making her look effortlessly chic.
Keri carried a navy rectangular purse to complement her outfit and wore hanging earrings adorned with diamonds and gemstones, adding glamour to her overall look. Her luscious, light-brown hair cascaded down her shoulders, perfectly complementing the dress’s dark color.
Although her shoes were hidden underneath the long skirt of her ensemble, it’s safe to assume that Keri wore her go-to pair of strappy sandal heels that have been a staple of her current wardrobe.
Matthew Rhys, looking sharp in a navy tuxedo with satin side stripes and black cap-toe dress shoes, posed alongside his wife Keri Russell, who stunned in a plum Saint Laurent cutout gown and strappy heels mostly hidden beneath the floor-length hem (Credit: Lev Radin / Shutterstock)
As she posed for photos on the black carpet, Rufus Sewell, dressed in a stunning burgundy suit, joined her for a snapshot. His outfit was perfectly contrasted with a white button-up shirt, making him look sharp and dapper.
6. Ali Ahn as Eidra Park – 5 Feet 1 Inch (155 cm) of Intelligence and Impact
Ali Ahn may only be 5ft 1 inch (154.9 cm) tall, but she stands out in playing Eidra Park in The Diplomat.
As head of the CIA station in London, she oversees the intricate relationship between MI6 and the CIA, providing Kate’s team with intelligence information. Although she initially doesn’t get along with Kate, the two eventually become close.
Ali Ahn, who stands at 5 feet 1 inch, embraced her petite frame in a plunging black-and-white romper with a rhinestone bow detail, elongating her legs with sheer black tights and classic black pointed-toe stiletto heels (Credit: Lev Radin / Shutterstock)
Ali’s impressive resume includes appearances in popular shows such as the Netflix series Orange Is the New Black, the superhero drama series Raising Dion, and the 2012 comedy-drama film Liberal Arts.
In The Diplomat, Ali Ahn portrays Eidra Graham, a high-ranking CIA official who serves in the United Kingdom and is Kate’s main source of information (Credit: Netflix)
The American-Asian star has already established herself as a versatile and talented actress in the entertainment industry. Her roles in Supernatural, Next, The Breaks, Odd Mom Out, The Path, and Little Demon have been praised by fans and critics alike.
Stepping Out in Style: Keri Russell’s Most Memorable Fashion Moments
Keri Russell has consistently impressed with her fashion choices, from red carpet events to casual outings. Here are some of her standout style moments:
Keri Russell Shines in Giuseppe Zanotti ‘Coline’ Sandals at the Tony Awards
- Event: 2016 Tony Awards
- Outfit: Keri made her first post-baby red carpet appearance in a plunging red Monique Lhuillier gown.
- Footwear: She completed the look with crystal-embellished Giuseppe Zanotti ‘Coline’ sandals.
- Read more: Keri Russell Attends Tony Awards in Giuseppe Zanotti ‘Coline’ Sandals
Keri Russell’s Chic Black Ensemble at the ‘Fargo’ Screening
- Event: FX Networks Upfront Premiere Screening of ‘Fargo’
- Outfit: Keri showcased a chic yet laid-back style with a silk tank top, black jacket, and black shorts from Proenza Schouler.
- Footwear: She added flair with zebra-printed Gianvito Rossi heels.
- See more: Keri Russell and Diane Kruger Show How To Look Stylish in Black
Keri Russell’s Height, Shoe Size, and Stunning Red Carpet Style
- Details: Keri Russell stands at 5 feet 4 inches and wears a US shoe size 6.
- Style Highlights: She often elongates her height with heels from brands like Roger Vivier, Katie Biltoft, and Gianvito Rossi.
- Discover more: Keri Russell’s Height, Shoe Size, and Stunning Red Carpet Style
Behind the Scenes of ‘The Americans’: Keri Russell and Matthew Rhys
- Event: FX’s ‘The Americans’ Premiere
- Outfit: Keri attended the premiere in a sophisticated ensemble, highlighting her role as Elizabeth Jennings.
- Footwear: She paired her look with classic black pumps, complementing her on-screen persona.
- Explore more: Behind the Scenes of ‘The Americans’: Keri Russell and Matthew Rhys
These moments highlight Keri Russell’s impeccable fashion sense, showcasing her versatility and elegance across various events.