Netflix’s new series is The Diplomat, which follows Kate Wyler as she is appointed to be the new US ambassador to the UK after an attack on a British ship. Wyler is an experienced diplomat who worked behind the scenes in war-torn areas. Prior to the start of the series, she worked in Baghdad, Iraq, and served as second-in-charge at the US embassies in Pakistan, Lebanon, Islamabad, and Beirut. Her next assignment was meant to be Kabul, but is forced by President William Rayburn to serve as the US ambassador to the UK. Despite being uncomfortable with it, Wyler accepts the position.

The series stars Keri Russell as Kate Wyler, with Rufus Sewell, David Gyasi, Ali Ahn, Rory Kinnear, Ato Essandoh, Jess Chanliau, and Pearl Mackie. With such a politically-driven plot, many wonder if The Diplomat is based on a true story. Here’s what we know

The Diplomat Is a Political Thriller

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The Diplomat is a political thriller, which the creator, Debora Cahn, was inspired to write after meeting with U.S. ambassadors while she was writing for Homeland. Cahn stated, per Netflix Tudum, that she was interested in the idea of couples who work together in the Foreign Service, as it is a situation where two people love each other the most, but are also in competition with, thus lending the story an inherent and immediately intriguing conflict. However, the series itself is not based on a true story. Cahn’s mission with The Diplomat was to tell the story of Foreign Service Officers in general, rather than focusing specifically on a single, real person’s experience.

Related: The Diplomat Review: Keri Russell Cranks Up the Intensity in New Netflix Series

Real Service, Fictional Characters

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The bones of The Diplomat’s story are rooted in the reality of the U.S. Foreign Service, and, by extension, the officers who serve in it. That being said, the characters themselves are all entirely fictional. Ambassador Wyler and her husband Hal are not based on real people. In fact, the current U.S. Ambassador to the U.K. is Jane D. Hartley, who was appointed by President Biden under the Obama administration. Additionally, the attack on the British ship off the coast of Iran was entirely imagined for the show.

Of course, many of the show’s locations were also real. The show is shot in and set in the U.S. Embassy in London. The real U.S. Ambassador does also live in the Winfield House in Regent’s Park. Many scenes from the series were filmed in the U.K. as well. What’s more, according to Radio Times, The Diplomat shot on-location in London and Paris.

Related: Keri Russell Talks The Diplomat and Not Playing a ‘Baddie’ Anymore

Will There Be a Season 2 of The Diplomat?

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As of this writing, Netflix has not yet officially renewed The Diplomat for a Season 2. However, with a 90% score on Rotten Tomatoes, and overall praise from both critics and audiences alike, there’s a great chance the streamer could be considering renewing the show for another season. Even though Netflix has had a reputation for canceling shows after one season, it seems that the decision boils down to how many hours a show is streamed within its first month of release.

Of course, when The Diplomat released in April 2023, it effectively claimed the top spot and became one of Netflix’s most-watched shows during its first weekend on the streamer. This is no small feat when you consider that other hits like Beef, Love Is Blind, and The Night Agent were all recent popular picks. For now, only time will tell if The Diplomat fans do receive a Season 2 following Kate Wyler’s next adventure.