Netflix's popular political thriller “The Diplomat” returns for a second season on October 31, 2024, bringing viewers an intense, must-see television drama led by an engaging cast. Starring Keri Russell and created by Deborah Kahn, the six-episode second season follows Kate Wyler (Russell), the American ambassador to the UK, as she continues to uncover the conspiracy behind the attack on a British warship and avert World War III through diplomatic efforts.

Season 1 of The Diplomat premiered in 2023 and was an instant hit, racking up 173.46 million hours of viewing in the four weeks following its premiere. Luckily, fans don't have to wait four weeks to find out the fate of the series, which was left on a cliffhanger in the Season 2 finale; read on for a breakdown of everything we know about “The Diplomat” Season 3.

Yes, Netflix has announced that Season 3 of “The Diplomat” will return on October 10, 2024, three weeks before Season 2 arrives on Netflix. If the early renewal wasn't enough to indicate that the streaming giant is going all in on this political thriller, the renewal announcement also revealed that filming for season 3 is already underway in London and New York

. 'The best of both worlds, filming in Brooklyn. We love what we do. We are very excited to continue.”

“Diplomat” had a very quick hiatus between its first two seasons compared to other hit Netflix series that make fans wait two or three years. Season 1 premiered on April 20, 2023, and filming for season 2 reportedly began in June of the same year, with new episodes eventually debuting 18 months after the series premiere. Production on Season 3 is already underway, with the next episode possibly appearing in the first half of 2026.

When Season 2 of The Diplomat arrived, fans were surprised to find that the second season had only six episodes compared to the eight episodes of Season 1. Viewers who can't get enough of the thriller's political intrigue will be pleased to learn that creator and showrunner Deborah Kahn has confirmed that Season 3 will include all eight episodes.

Regarding Season 2, Kahn told TVLine that the shorter length was her decision. 'Netflix wasn't happy. They wanted all eight episodes,” she told the outlet, explaining that the streaming company had initially planned to further shorten the hiatus between seasons. 'I was really tired,' she said. It was just a matter of time; I felt I didn't have enough time to turn eight. It seemed like a short period of time, but there was a lot to do."

Kahn said that the company had been working on the project for several years.

Khan added, “Had I known it would take a year and a half to get back on the air, it would have been different.” And she confirmed that “Season 3 will be eight episodes.”

“The Diplomat” Season 2 spoilers ahead. Viewers who have already watched Season 2 know that not everyone will make it out alive in the new episodes. (R.I.P. Ronnie.) Of the remaining cast members, those most likely to return for Season 3 are Keri Russell (Kate Wyler), Rufus Sewell (Hal Wyler), Ato Essandoh (Stuart Hayford), Ali Ann (Adora Park), David Jassy ( Austin Dennison), and Rory Kinnear (Prime Minister Trowbridge). However, Season 3 may feature more U.S.-based characters such as Nana Mensah (Billy Appiah) and Secretary of State Miguel Ganon (Miguel Sandoval).

Of course, there is also an important guest star who ends season 2 as the leader of the free world: Allison Janney as Grace Penn.

Who is ready to attend the inauguration of President Grace Penn? The season 2 finale of The Diplomat ends with a shocking reveal that President William Rayburn (Michael McKean) has died of a heart attack after hearing the full story of the British false flag attack from Hal Wyler.

Yes, Hal may have killed the President, but he had good intentions. The Wyler's discovered that the attack on the HMS Cleageas was Penn's own plot to prevent Scotland from voting to leave the UK and then to close the nuclear base. Kate intended for Hal to tell Secretary Gannon what had happened to Grace so that the judicial system could determine what had happened to her, but Hal went directly to the President instead.

At the same moment Hal was making the call, Kate and Grace glanced at each other, and Grace, who had previously intended to quietly leave her position, assured Kate that she would now fight to remain vice president, and Kate said that she had made a humble enemy by blatantly trying to take her position. Now that Grace is president, there are many questions. Is Kate completely out of the picture? Can she be Grace's vice president? Since the series is being filmed in London and N.Y.C., it is unlikely that Kate will be sent to Kabul or any of the far-flung outposts. But now that the attack on the warship has been settled, what will happen to the central conflict of the series?

Speaking to Tudum for The Diplomat's Season 3 renewal, creator Deborah Kahn gave a very cryptic preview of what Kate will be facing in the upcoming season. 'In Season 3, the chessboard will be turned upside down. In Season 3, Kate will live a particular nightmare of getting what she wants.”

In an interview with Rolling Stone magazine, Keri Russell expressed her excitement for the new season. 'I've already read all of season three. I can't believe it's as good as I want it to be and still getting better.”

In an interview with Harper's Bazaar, Russell also discussed the dilemma Kate may face when forced into the public eye.

“What I'm not really interested in is someone who becomes vice president, has perfect hair, and gives the perfect speech. I like the girl who is devastated by the failure of Afghanistan, can't keep her own clothes clean before entering the Oval Office, and has a messy, passionate, sexy relationship with this weirdo, messed-up husband. That's who I'm interested in and that's the story I want to tell. To have someone like Janie and incorporate everything she embodies into the show only creates better problems, and that's good for the story.”