In the new Netflix drama The Diplomat, Carrie Russell plays an ambassador who's thrust

into an international incident with massive stakes.

The show combines the tension of homeland with the administrative drama of the West Wing,

which makes sense given that the Diplomat's creator and showrunner worked on both of

those shows.

I'm Linda Holmes.

And I'm Stephen Thompson.

Today we are talking about The Diplomat on pop culture happy hour from NPR.

Joining us today is freelance journalist Christina Escobar.

She's the co-founder and editor-in-chief of Latina Media Punto Co.

Welcome back, Christina.

Thank you so much for having me.

It is great to have you.

So Carrie Russell stars in the Diplomat as Kate Weiler, a career diplomat who's planning

to head to Kabul when she's reassigned and named ambassador to the UK.

She doesn't want the job because she thinks it's going to be a ceremonial tea and crumpets

affair, but her presence is necessary after an attack on a British ship kills 41 soldiers.

Soon she's trying to prevent World War III as she negotiates with British leaders,

some of whom wish to retaliate swiftly just as soon as they know who's responsible.

Kate's efforts are complicated by the presence of her at least somewhat estranged husband,

Hal, who's played by Rufus Suel.

He's a hot shot veteran diplomat in his own right, and while his council is useful, he

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