'The Diplomat' renewed for season 5 at Netflix just two weeks after season 4 premiere

Netflix has renewed its political thriller The Diplomat for a fifth season, just two weeks after the latest instalment premiered on the streaming platform.

The announcement confirms that the series, starring Keri Russell and Rufus Sewell, will return following the dramatic events of its fourth season, which debuted on October 15.

Created by Debora Cahn, The Diplomat follows Kate Wyler, played by Russell, a US ambassador navigating international political crises while managing her complicated marriage to Hal Wyler, portrayed by Sewell.

Season 4 also features Allison Janney as President Grace Penn and Bradley Whitford as her husband, Todd Penn. Both actors have been elevated to series regulars following their introduction in the previous season.

The fourth season quickly found an audience on Netflix, debuting with 4.8 million views before rising to 5.5 million views in its second week. It reached third place on the streamer's global English-language television chart and entered the Top 10 in 63 countries.

Netflix also reported that the show achieved its strongest social media performance to date, setting a new record for its own social impressions within 13 days of the season's release.

The series' renewal comes as the fourth season leaves several major developments unresolved. Its finale sees Kate make a dramatic stand at the G7 summit after President Penn makes a shocking declaration. Hal follows his wife's lead, setting up a potentially significant shift in the political drama's central relationships.

Cahn has suggested that the story still has plenty of room to develop, with the season finale raising questions about the consequences of the characters' decisions and what they can accomplish together.

The series has earned critical recognition since its debut in 2023, including multiple Emmy nominations. Russell won the Actor Award for Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Drama Series for the third season, while Janney received an Emmy for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series.

Netflix has not yet announced a release date or further details about the fifth season. Cahn is expected to return as creator and showrunner, with Russell and the existing production team also involved.

All four seasons of The Diplomat are currently available to stream on Netflix.