Netflix's hit thriller series The Diplomat is a must-watch show for many reasons: the complex yet accessible political intrigue, the nuanced marriage at its center between Ambassadors Kate and Hal Wyler, and the simultaneous will-they, won't-they flirtation between Kate and Foreign Secretary Austin Dennison. The cast is also stacked, so viewers who have watched a lot of TV will have fun identifying all the familiar faces, including stars of classic comedy series, sci-fi hits, and prestige dramas (and no, we don't just mean star Keri Russell).
With season 3 of The Diplomat streaming now (and season 4 on the way), it's time to get reacquainted with the talented cast and their characters's many allegiances. Read on to learn who's who among the cast of The Diplomat. (Plus, if you need a refresher on The Diplomat season 2's ending, we've got you covered.)
The Ambassador's Team
Keri Russell as Kate Wyler
Kate Wyler is a well-regarded U.S. diplomat who is taken by surprise when she's suddenly diverted from her planned post in Afghanistan and appointed as the new U.S. Ambassador to the U.K. As she adjusts to the public-facing side of her new role (an aspect she is uncomfortable with), Kate also has to work with the British to smooth relations between the U.S. and the U.K. in the wake of a deadly conspiracy.
Keri Russell, 49, rose to fame with her breakthrough TV role on the ABC drama Felicity and went on to play Elizabeth Jennings on the Emmy-winning spy thriller The Americans. She also starred in films like Waitress, August Rush, Austenland, Extraordinary Measures, Star Wars Episode IX: The Rise of Skywalker, and Cocaine Bear. She's in a committed relationship with her The Americans co-star Matthew Rhys. (In a recent interview, Rhys clarified that they "haven't gotten around to marriage yet.") Russell and Rhys have one son together, while Russell shares two children with her ex-husband Shane Deary.
Rufus Sewell as Hal Wyler
Kate’s husband Hal is a charismatic, legendary diplomat and former ambassador himself. (He's also occasionally referred to as "Ambassador Wyler," to much confusion.) Though he's unemployed after landing on the wrong side of the Secretary of State, he tends to apply his ruthless and manipulative methods to diplomatic relations, to the dismay of his wife.
Rufus Sewell, 57, is a British(!) TV and film veteran who's known for his roles in A Knight’s Tale, The Legend of Zorro, The Illusionist, The Holiday, Tristan & Isolde, Victoria, The Man in the High Castle, The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, Judy, and Kaleidoscope, and the Netflix film Scoop. Next up, he's set to play the Bennett patriarch in Netflix's upcoming Pride and Prejudice series.
Instagram: @rufus_sewell
Ato Essandoh as Stuart Hayford
Stuart is the Deputy Chief of Mission (DCM) at the U.S. Embassy in London and Kate’s second-in-command, helping her adjust to the new role. In addition to his duties, he's been asked to judge whether Kate is Vice President-material, due to his experience as a campaign manager in DC. He's also been in a low-key relationship with Eidra.
Ato Essandoh, 53, is a New York native with a prolific résumé, his credits in films and series include Hitch, Chicago Med, Copper, Jason Bourne, Garden State, Blood Diamond, Girls, Vinyl, Altered Carbon, The Code, Elementary, Blue Bloods, and Reptile.
Instagram: @atoessandoh
Ali Ahn as Eidra Park
Eidra is the Chief of the CIA Station in London and manages the very close and very complicated relationship between the CIA and MI6. Her responsibilities include relaying intelligence information to Kate’s team. She's initially suspicious of Kate but eventually warms up to her as the two women work together.
Ali Ahn, 44, is best known for her roles in the series Agatha All Along, Billions, The Breaks, Black Box, The Path, Raising Dion, and The Other Two, as well as the film Liberal Arts. She has been in a relationship with The Good Place's William Jackson Harper for over a decade.
Instagram: @aliahn
Pearl Mackie as Alysse
U.S. Embassy aide Alysse is portrayed in seasons 1 and 2 by Pearl Mackie, 38, a recognizable face to Doctor Who fans. The British actress played Bill Potts, companion to Peter Capaldi's Twelfth Doctor in season 10. Mackie has also appeared in the series The Crystal Maze, The Long Call, Friday Night Dinner, and Tom Jones, and the films Greed, Horizon Line, and The Deal.
Instagram: @therealpearlmackie
Jess Chanliau as Ronnie
U.S. Embassy aide and Stuart's assistant Ronnie is portrayed in season 1 by Jess Chanliau, a rising actor who has studied in the U.S. and Paris. They previously appeared in the films The Riven and Inmate Zero, and the 2020 TV adaptation of Brave New World.
Penny Downie as Frances Munning
Frances is the resident manager of Winfield House, the historic London manor Kate and Hal live in during their time in the U.K. She's portrayed by Penny Downie, an Australian actress who played the Duchess of Gloucester in seasons 3 and 4 of The Crown. She also appeared in several acclaimed films and series, including Downton Abbey, Jackie, Invictus, Breathe, Crime and Punishment, and The House of Mirth.
Georgie Henley as Pensy
Winfield House assistant Pensy (above, left) is played by Georgie Henley, a familiar face for fans of 2000s movies. The 30-year-old first rose to fame as a child actor playing Lucy in The Chronicles of Narnia films The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe, Prince Caspian, and The Voyage of the Dawn Treader. She has since starred in films Perfect Sisters and The Sisterhood of the Night, as well as the STARZ series The Spanish Princess.
Instagram: @georgiehenley
The British
David Gyasi as Austin Dennison
Dennison is the British Foreign Secretary, overseeing U.K. foreign relations on behalf of Prime Minister Nicol Trowbridge. Weighed down by his struggle to rein in his brash (and potentially dangerous) head of government, he and Kate come to rely on each other as unexpected allies.
David Gyasi, 45, is a prolific actor best known for his roles in Interstellar, Carnival Row, Cloud Atlas, Annihilation, The Bastard Son & The Devil Himself, Maleficent: Mistress of Evil, Containment, and Troy: Fall of a City. He also voiced the Grey Cat in the special episode of Netflix's The Sandman.
Instagram: @thedavidgyasi
Rory Kinnear as Nicol Trowbridge
U.K. Prime Minister Nicol Trowbridge is a bombastic and volatile leader who never questions his pro-war mentality, (hence Dennison needing to keep him in line).
Rory Kinnear, 47, is a British actor and playwright best known for playing Bill Tanner in the James Bond films Quantum of Solace, Skyfall, Spectre, and No Time to Die. His credits include The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power, The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare, Our Flag Means Death, and The Imitation Game. He also notably played another prime minister in the first-ever Black Mirror episode, "The National Anthem." (Fun fact: Kinnear's real-life spouse, actress Pandora Colin, plays Mrs. Lydia Trowbridge.)
Celia Imrie as Margaret Roylin
Meg Roylin is a well-known, shrewd Tory (Britain's conservative party) operative. She's the prime minister’s former—and unofficially current—adviser whose competence is impressive, though she can be dangerous if you land on her bad side.
Celia Imrie, 73, is best known for appearing in the iconic Bridget Jones rom-com series, as well as playing Sam Fox's mother Phyllis in the acclaimed FX series Better Things. Her other notable projects include Nanny McPhee, Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again, the Best Exotic Marigold Hotel duology, and Netflix's cozy murder-mystery The Thursday Murder Club. In addition to The Diplomat season 3, she's currently competing as a cast member on the inaugural season of The Celebrity Traitors U.K.
Instagram: @celia.imrie
Aidan Turner as Callum Ellis
In season 3, Kate meets Callum Ellis, a "bird watcher" who has ties to the British military. (So, a spy.) Though Kate's intrigued by the mystery man, he may remind you of a certain someone.
Aidan Turner, 42, is an Irish actor who rose to international fame with his role as the dwarf Kili in The Hobbit film trilogy. He went on to star in two historical dramas, playing British soldier Ross Poldark in the BBC series Poldark, followed by Leonardo da Vinci in the Italian series Leonardo. He also currently stars alongside David Tennant and Alex Hassell in the Hulu series Rivals. (Fun fact: He's been married to We Were Liars star Caitlin FitzGerald since 2020.)
T’Nia Miller as Cecilia
Austin's sister, Cecilia Dennison, views politics as her brother’s domain, though she has a history concerning his aspirations for higher office. We meet her partway through season 1, as she's residing with her devoted brother.
T'Nia Miller, 40, is most familiar to Netflix fans for her roles in Sex Education, The Haunting of Bly Manor, and The Fall of the House of Usher, though she's also appeared in The Peripheral, Free Rein, Years and Years, Witless, Guilt, Marcella, and The Feed. She's next set to star in Marvel/Disney+'s WandaVision spin-off VisionQuest.
Instagram: @tniamiller
Tracy Ifeachor as Thema
The Pitt alum Tracy Ifeachor makes a memorable debut in The Diplomat season 3 finale as Thema, a special new friend of Dennison's. The 40-year-old British actress previously appeared in shows such as The Originals, Quantico, Mayflies, and the Netflix miniseries Treason, as well as the 2023 musical Wonka. She's next set to star alongside Jake Gyllenhaal and Phoebe Dynevor in the M. Night Shyamalan film Remain.
Instagram: @tracyifeachor_/
The White House
Michael McKean as William Rayburn
U.S. President Rayburn is an aging but competent leader trying to look to the future and restore America’s position on the world stage. In the season 2 finale, Rayburn does not react well to a call with Hall, and the ripple effects are monumental.
Michael McKean is an actor with a long history in Hollywood, best known for his roles in *deep breath* Laverne & Shirley, This Is Spinal Tap, Better Call Saul, Grace and Frankie, Rugrats, Saturday Night Live, Best in Show, Clue, Breeders, Primetime Glick, Tracey Takes On…, 101 Dalmatians: The Series, Jungle Cubs, Dream On, Sessions, and Grand.
Allison Janney as Grace Penn
U.S. Vice President Grace Penn travels to London in season 2, to meet her competition, Kate Wyler, a.k.a. the person who will potentially replace her. After the season 2 finale, the pair are completely at odds...just in time for everything to change.
Allison Janney, 65, is best known for playing White House press secretary C.J. Cregg on The West Wing; The Diplomat marks her reunion with creator Debora Cahn, a writer on the hit political series. Since then, Janney has won an Academy Award for 2017's I, Tonya, three Emmys for CBS's Mom and Showtime's Masters of Sex (to join her four awards for her West Wing work), and two Tony nominations for A View from the Bridge and 9 to 5.
Instagram: @allisonbjanney
Bradley Whitford as Todd Penn
Season 3 introduces Todd Penn, Grace Penn's husband. Todd's financial scandal was the reason Grace had been asked to step down as VP.
Bradley Whitford's casting in The Diplomat is a second West Wing reunion, with the former Josh Lyman, deputy chief of staff, reuniting with Cahn and Janney. The 66-year-old Emmy winner is a long-time television actor, who's also known for appearing in ER, The Mentalist, Transparent, Brooklyn Nine-Nine, and The Handmaid's Tale. On the film side, he has starred in dozens of movies, including The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants, The Cabin in the Woods, Saving Mr. Banks, and Get Out.
Instagram: @bradleywhitford
Nana Mensah as Billie Appiah
White House Chief of Staff Billie Appiah is an ambitious public servant and skilled fixer who has a strong loyalty to President Rayburn. She and Stuart used to run campaigns together, and she relies on his judgment for many things, including Kate’s political future.
Nana Mensah previously starred in the shows Presumed Innocent, The Chair, Bonding, 13 Reasons Why, New Amsterdam, An African City, and Orange Is the New Black, as well as the films After Yang and The King of Staten Island. She also directed and starred in 2021's Queen of Glory.
Instagram: @itsnanamensah
Rosaline Elbay as Nora
Nora is the Vice President’s chief of staff. After the events of the season 2 finale, Nora finds herself much busier and right in the middle of Kate and Hal's arguments.
Rosaline Elbay, 34, is an Egyptian actress, writer, and advocate who studied archaeology at Oxford University before pursuing her dream of acting. She previously appeared in the Egyptian series Qabeel, Hulu's Ramy, and Netflix's Kaleidoscope, as well as the psychological thriller Jagged Mind.
Instagram: @rosaline.elbay
Miguel Sandoval as Miguel Ganon
Miguel Ganon is the U.S. Secretary of State. He's notably ambitious about his political career and disapproves when Kate goes rogue to get the job done. He is also not a fan of Hal.
Washington, D.C. native Miguel Sandoval has a decades-long career in TV and film and has appeared in several acclaimed films, including Clear and Present Danger, Jurassic Park, Do the Right Thing, and Jungle Fever. He's also known for his roles in the series Medium, Station 19, Bad Judge, Sharp Objects, Barry, This Fool, and Sugar.