The Diplomat (British TV series)

Lore & Background

The series was commissioned on 8 July 2020 by Alibi in partnership with BBC Studios and World Productions as the third UKTV Original for Alibi. Executive producer Philippa Collie Cousins described the show as 'The Good Wife meets Spooks for 2021,' highlighting its focus on two contrasting professional women dealing with murder, abductions, and organized crime alongside their careers and love lives. Filming began in April 2022 in Barcelona, Spain, after being postponed from the original 2020 schedule due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Sophie Rundle was cast as the lead character Laura Simmonds on 25 April 2022. The main cast also includes Clare Holman, Danny Sapani, Steven Cree, Laia Costa, and Sophie Rundle. The plot centers on Laura Simmonds and her colleague Alba Ortiz as they navigate a series of conflicts in Barcelona to protect British nationals.

An unrelated American series with the identical title, set in London and centered on a new United States ambassador to the UK, was announced in 2022 and released worldwide on Netflix on 20 April 2023, shortly after the British series concluded its first series. The British newspaper i quoted an unnamed source close to the UK series expressing frustration over the title choice, fearing confusion for viewers and complications for international rights sales handled by BBC Studios. Neither party has indicated a willingness to change the title.

Reader's Guide

The Diplomat represents a notable entry in British political thriller television, blending diplomatic intrigue with personal drama. Its significance lies in its focus on two female professionals—a diplomat and a consul colleague—navigating high-stakes situations in Barcelona, a setting less common for British series. The show's production by BBC Studios and World Productions for Alibi underscores the channel's investment in original UKTV content. The title conflict with the later Netflix series of the same name highlights challenges in intellectual property and market confusion in the streaming era, though neither side has altered its title. The series contributes to the genre of workplace thrillers with a diplomatic twist, offering a contemporary take on international crises and personal resilience.

Did You Know?

• The series was commissioned on 8 July 2020 as the third UKTV Original for Alibi.
• Filming began in April 2022 in Barcelona, Spain, after a delay due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
• An unrelated American series with the same title was released on Netflix on 20 April 2023, shortly after the British series concluded its first series.
• Sophie Rundle was cast as the lead character Laura Simmonds on 25 April 2022.