Spoiler alert! The following contains spoilers for Season 4 of "The Diplomat" on Netflix."
When you're in a show with as many twists and turns as Netflix's political thriller "The Diplomat," you might forget a thing or two that happens along the roller coaster ride. Even if you happen to be the show's stars.
At least, that's true for Keri Russell and Rufus Sewell, who play Kate and Hal Wyler, the political couple at the center of the Emmy-winning drama. Season 4 (now streaming) has, as Stefon from "Saturday Night Live" might say, everything: An assassination attempt, a stolen doomsday weapon, an off-screen character death, a prime minister resigning, a new prime minister, a G8 summit, political dissent and even a marriage proposal. Russell and Sewell can't
be blamed for one or two of those things slipping their minds.
"I forgot about all this stuff!" Russell tells USA TODAY in a recent interview with Sewell about Season 4 as they both laugh.
"There's never a moment where we feel like we're retreading ground. It's always very exciting," Sewell adds. "I hope there's a bit of debate about it."
Fun and games aside, Russell and Sewell are hoping the explosive season finale, in which both their characters walk away from their jobs in a presidential administration they believe to be corrupt, will resonate in this day and age.
"It was really moving to me," Russell says, discussing that standing up to power and dissenting to wrongdoing was the theme of the season. "To process what's happening and the destruction and the disgustingness of it all was so good. But it's what everyone felt like."
And she says the reference was very pointed to modern day politics.
"It's what USAID felt. It's what all these people who've been fired felt," she says, referring to the international development organization shut down by President Trump's administration in 2025, and the other federal employees fired by Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) and Elon Musk.
"I hope some of those people watch it and know that we mean to respect and honor them. And I hope that's what they feel."
While the show is influenced by modern day politics and culture, Russell also sees escapism in the drama, which accelerates the pace and drama of geopolitics by Netflix-level magnitudes.
"Of course it's a little bit escapist because look where we are," she laughs. "Of course it's escape. You know, [executive producer Deborah Cahn] always says, I can't write from the headlines because now it's changing every day. That would be impossible."
Russell and Sewell's co-star Allison Janney took home the Emmy for best supporting actress in a drama in September for her work in the show's third season, which streamed in 2025. Russell was nominated for best actress, but lost to Rhea Seehorn (Apple TV's "Pluribus").
Her partner Matthew Rhys also happened to take home two Emmys that night, for actor in a limited series and comedy. He thinks Russell has a chance next year, though. "She's always really the winner, if I'm perfectly honest," he said backstage after his wins. "I think next year she might get one. That's my bet."
But "Diplomat" hasn't officially been renewed for a fifth season − yet. Russell and Sewell have no idea where it could go if it does come back for another go-round.
"We do not have any insight yet. We are totally in the dark, just like you guys," Russell says. "We love it. It's really good. I have to say, we've done four seasons now, and I've never been disappointed. So if we were to get another season, I would never want to put my finger on the scale, because it's been so good so far. I wouldn't wanna mess with anything."
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Keri Russell on politics, escapism and 'Diplomat' twists she literally forgot
