'The Diplomat' season 3 trailer teases dangerously deeper tensions for Keri Russell's ambassador
The Netflix political thriller returns with a new world order

"The president is about to do something that is apocalyptically dumb," warns Keri Russell's Kate Wyler in the brand-new trailer for "The Diplomat" season 3. Dropped by Netflix today, the fast-paced two-minute clip teases plenty of political and personal drama ahead for the U.S. diplomat as well as her husband Hal (Rufus Sewell) and the rest of her high-powered colleagues.
A few weeks ago, Netflix made the official release date announcement for the new season: All eight episodes of the Debora Cahn-created drama will premiere Thursday, October 16, graciously bumped up from the short six-ep order of season 2 . The trailer sees the Wylers as well as Vice President Grace Penn (Oscar winner Allison Janney) and her staff contending with the immediate aftermath of President Rayburn’s (Michael McKean) death. At the time of said demise, Kate reveals, the late commander-in-chief was being warned by Hal that he had a "rogue deputy" in his midst — namely, his V.P.
Those political secrets will greatly ramp up the international stakes this time around, especially as the "terribly flawed" Penn assumes the American presidency. "Our prime minister is concealing explosive information on your behalf," British Foreign Secretary Austin Dennison (David Gyasi) warns Kate about Prime Minister Nicol Trowbridge (Rory Kinnear). "He will extract not one but 10 pounds of flesh."
And it's not just political drama that fans can expect in the new installments —it's looking like there's personal messiness to come, as well, with Kate getting awfully chummy with a dashing new character played by Aidan Turner ("Poldark") during a drinks reception, all under the concerned watch of her husband. We'll also get deeper peeks into the now-President Penn's own marriage with hubby Todd Penn, played by Janney's "The West Wing" buddy Bradley Whitford.
Per Netflix, the official logline of season 3 reads: “In season three of 'The Diplomat,' Ambassador Kate Wyler lives the particular nightmare that is getting what you want. She just accused Vice President Grace Penn of hatching a terrorist plot and admitted she’s after the VP’s job. But now the president is dead, Kate’s husband Hal may have inadvertently killed him, and Grace Penn is leader of the free world."
"None of this slows Hal’s campaign to land Kate the vice presidency," the summary continues. "Kate steps into a role she never wanted, with a freedom she never expected, an increasingly complicated friendship with Foreign Secretary Austin Dennison (Gyasi), and an unnerving bond with first gentleman Todd Penn (Bradley Whitford).”
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Christina Izzo is a writer-editor covering culture, food and drink, travel and general lifestyle in New York City. She was previously the Deputy Editor at My Imperfect Life, the Features Editor at Rachael Ray In Season and Reveal, as well as the Food & Drink Editor and chief restaurant critic at Time Out New York.
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