The Diplomat cast and character guide: Who plays whom in Netflix's thriller series?

The Diplomat Trailer Cover Image. (Image Via. Netflix, Youtube)
The Diplomat Trailer Cover Image (Image via YouTube/Netflix)

The Diplomat kicks off with political pressure, global tension, and personal conflict — all rolled into a fast-paced thriller led by a carefully chosen cast. Each actor carries the weight of diplomacy, secrets, and shifting loyalties with a sharp performance. But who are these faces running the show?

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If you're wondering who plays the key roles in The Diplomat, here is a complete cast and character guide to help you keep track. Check out who is doing what and why it matters.


Main Cast of The Diplomat

1) Keri Russell as Kate Wyler

In The Diplomat, Keri Russell steps into the shoes of Kate Wyler, a career diplomat pulled from her planned posting in Afghanistan and unexpectedly sent to the U.K. as the new U.S. ambassador.

Netflix's "The Diplomat" ATAS Special Screening Event (Image via Getty)
Netflix's "The Diplomat" ATAS Special Screening Event (Image via Getty)

Kate is sharp, experienced, but finds the high-profile role both foreign and frustrating. Keri Russell brings depth to a woman juggling global diplomacy with a rocky marriage.

Russell is known for The Americans and Felicity.

2) Rufus Sewell as Hal Wyler

Hal Wyler is Kate's politically savvy but unpredictable husband. Once a respected ambassador, he is now unemployed but still enjoys interfering in diplomatic affairs.

30th Annual Critics Choice Awards (Image via Getty)
30th Annual Critics Choice Awards (Image via Getty)

Played by Rufus Sewell, Hal is bold, confident, and knows how to get under people's skin, including Kate's.

Sewell is known for his work in Dark City and Victoria.

3) Ali Ahn as Eidra Graham

Eidra Graham runs the CIA station in London, acting as a key player in the flow of intelligence. Initially wary of Kate, Eidra becomes a crucial ally.

SAG-AFTRA Foundation Conversations Presents Netflix's "The Diplomat" (Image via Getty)
SAG-AFTRA Foundation Conversations Presents Netflix's "The Diplomat" (Image via Getty)

Ali Ahn brings grit and nuance to the role. Her character holds the line between trust and tension in U.S. and U.K. relations.

Ahn is known for her work in Supernatural and Agatha All Along.

4) David Gyasi as Austin Dennison

British Foreign Secretary Austin Dennison is calm, collected, and quietly powerful. He works closely with Kate to maintain diplomatic stability while subtly pushing back against his own Prime Minister's aggressive stance.

SAG-AFTRA Foundation Conversations Presents Netflix's "The Diplomat" (Image via Getty)
SAG-AFTRA Foundation Conversations Presents Netflix's "The Diplomat" (Image via Getty)

David Gyasi gives the character a solid presence as a man juggling national responsibility and private doubts.

Gyasi is known for his works on Cold Blood Legacy and Hell on the Border.

5) Ato Essandoh as Stuart Heyford

Deputy Chief of Mission Stuart Heyford, played by Ato Essandoh, helps Kate navigate her new role in London. He is not only her second-in-command but also secretly tasked with assessing her political potential.

Ato Essandoh as Stuart Heyford on The Diplomat.
Ato Essandoh as Stuart Heyford on The Diplomat.

With roots as a campaign strategist and a private relationship with Eidra, Stuart balances duty with discretion.

Stuart Heyford is credited for his work on Chicago Med and The Code.

6) Rory Kinnear as Prime Minister Nicol Trowbridge

Nicol Trowbridge is loud, forceful, and a little too eager for confrontation. As the British Prime Minister, he adds chaos to Kate's already tense mission.

New York Premiere of Netflix's The Diplomat S2 (Image via Getty)
New York Premiere of Netflix's The Diplomat S2 (Image via Getty)

Rory Kinnear captures the fiery energy of a leader who charges forward without looking back, creating obstacles for anyone in his way.

Rory Kinnear is known for Toxic Town and Men.


Supporting Cast in The Diplomat

1) T’Nia Miller as Cecilia Dennison

Cecilia Dennison is Austin's sister and keeps her distance from politics, though her past reveals her once-ambitious side. Miller gives Cecilia quiet complexity in a small but meaningful role.

Sky's BAFTA TV Nominees Party - Source: Getty
Sky's BAFTA TV Nominees Party - Source: Getty

T'Nia Miller is recognizable from The Haunting of Bly Manor and The Fall of the House of Usher on Netflix.

2) Miguel Sandoval as Secretary of State Miguel Ganon

Secretary Ganon doesn't fully trust Kate's methods, making her job even more complicated. Miguel Sandoval plays him with firm authority.

He is known for role in Jurassic Park.

3) Michael McKean as President Rayburn

President Rayburn, portrayed by Michael McKean, stands firmly behind Kate's appointment. McKean plays a calm, supportive leader with a vested interest in Kate's success.

SAG-AFTRA Foundation Conversations - Michael McKean Career Retrospective (Image via Getty)
SAG-AFTRA Foundation Conversations - Michael McKean Career Retrospective (Image via Getty)

He is known for his role in Better Call Saul.


The Diplomat delivers an engaging story by anchoring its international drama with characters who feel real and layered. With a cast of seasoned actors, every role adds to the tension, twists, and human emotions that drive the show's success.


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Edited by Vinayak Chakravorty