Keri Russell has been thinking about the vice president — in ‘The Diplomat’ and real life

As a seasoned observer of human dynamics and geopolitical events, I find myself deeply immersed in the complex world of “The Diplomat.” Having spent years navigating the intricate dance of international relations, I can’t help but see parallels between the fictional world on screen and the real-world headlines that unfold daily.

This article contains spoilers for the Season 2 finale of “The Diplomat” on Netflix.

“The Diplomat

She expresses a sense of emotional fulfillment during their video call, her “I Voted” badge clearly seen on the upper right side of her off-white sweater. It’s thrilling for her to be united with everyone in her community, representing a diverse age range and cultural backgrounds. The prospect of potentially electing the first female African-American president is incredibly exciting to her.

Time will reveal whether that plan succeeds or not. However, in the series “The Diplomat,” it is true that a woman has ascended to the presidency.

Initially, the first season showcased Russell’s character, Kate Wyler, as an experienced diplomat with aspirations to serve in Afghanistan. However, against her wishes, she was drafted by the White House to serve as the U.S. ambassador to the United Kingdom. This undercover assignment aimed at preparing her for a potential role as vice president.

In the latest series now available for viewing, character Kate finds herself in a challenging situation as she’s tasked with replacing Vice President Grace Penn, portrayed by Allison Janney. Initially, Kate grew fond of taking on this role following revelations about Vice President Penn’s suspicious activities in international affairs. However, this plan is suddenly rendered obsolete at the end of the season when the president unexpectedly passes away. To add to the confusion, the president dies during a briefing on the VP’s practices by Hal Wyler (Rufus Sewell), Kate’s husband and an esteemed diplomat veteran.

Russell recently chatted with The Times regarding the setup for Season 3, now being filmed, the amusing pass Janney handed to Russell before a shot, and his experience working on the new season leading up to the election.

To start off, let’s discuss the final outcome – Grace Penn holds the presidency. At several instances, it appeared as though events might unfold differently. Can you recall when you first suspected that Grace would reach such heights, and what were your feelings at that time?

I hadn’t come across the mic drop scene until a month before we began filming [the episode]. Our writer, Debora, and the production team had an interesting approach: they only revealed the final episode to everyone, except for myself and perhaps Rufus. The rest of the cast didn’t know the ending due to redactions on their scripts. It wasn’t until the read-through that we discovered Grace Penn was portrayed as the President of the United States, adding an exciting twist to our show.

With mere seconds left, she exclaimed, “Oh my goodness, he’s gone [the president], and now she’s president.” This changes everything. I admire Debora’s investigation in her writing as Kate harbors numerous prejudices about the vice president, suspecting wrongdoings or associations. However, once someone is elected, it’s our duty to support them, and to perform our roles diligently, representing our country and maintaining its safety and respectability as best as we can. Many individuals in the State Department and Foreign Service followed this principle during the Trump years, working even harder because they knew they had to keep things running smoothly. Ironically, this event on the show rearranges everything in an unexpected manner. Alliances are realigned, and power dynamics shift.

Similar to her on-screen persona, Allison Janney is an impressively strong actress. She makes an appearance in the last two episodes of the season and you’re privy to several captivating scenes where she, portraying Grace, masterfully corrects your character’s actions. What is it like working with Allison as a scene partner?

We frequently exchange humor among ourselves. During production for Season 3, we were going back and forth on numerous topics concerning the aftermath of the season finale, debating various points and ensuring everything was running smoothly. The pace was hectic, with many people in the room – it was tiring. Just as they were about to start filming, she approached me with something in her hand, and it turned out to be a balled-up, sweaty piece of clothing she had been wearing, perhaps a pair of pantyhose or socks. She casually handed it to me, saying, “Here.” The director then called out “Action!” Such is her playful nature – she’s impossible not to adore.

How do you see Kate at the end? Is she someone in a weakened position or somebody poised for power?

It’s intriguing to note that she has several projects underway. In my opinion, Kate demonstrates remarkable skill in handling crises. While she may not excel on stage, her abilities as a helper are commendable. She manages to mobilize people, organize them effectively, and ensure things get done. Moreover, she schedules crucial meetings adeptly. In essence, these qualities make her well-suited for the task at hand. This situation seems to have placed her back into work and support mode. Additionally, she must address the actions of her husband. Regrettably, he has made a significant mistake. Fortunately, his attractiveness is a saving grace, as he’s more of a trouble-starter than not. Given his deep involvement in this complex situation, they will have to resolve the ensuing mess.

The scriptwriting for season two was completed prior to the double Hollywood strikes in 2023, however, it shares some thematic similarities with ongoing events. These include the tension surrounding a leader resigning for national interest, the prospect of a female presidency, and the reemergence of Russian influence.

Initially, I felt anxious as political events began unfolding. I found myself thinking, “Oh dear, it seems like we’re mirroring real life.” This was particularly true when Kamala Harris became the Democratic nominee. In a moment of bewilderment, I texted Debora and exclaimed, “Are you a fortune-teller with magical powers? What on earth is happening?” I want to emphasize that Debora wrote this text long before these events took place.

Kate excels under pressure but has also made questionable decisions while navigating the situation. She struggles to discern who is trustworthy or is overly trusting of untrustworthy individuals, which can lead to dire outcomes. What particularly captivated you is her internal struggle with the ethical dimensions of her role and how, at times, achieving desired results necessitates stepping over a boundary.

It’s really easy to sit back and judge the people who made the choices, but someone has to be in charge and make the choices; they’re going to be wrong sometimes. I make bad decisions all the time as a mom. I do the best I can, but when you’re in charge of people, and you’re at this level, you’re going to make mistakes, and sometimes it involves people’s lives and it’s devastating. The swings are just bigger for people who work in these fields, doing really important world-changing jobs. I think the power question and issue, it is interesting. I do think it is attractive to everyone, ultimately. You can say you don’t want it, but it’s attractive. It feels good when people say, “You’re great, we want you, we all care what you think.” It does lure her in a tiny bit.

Following the final episode, there’s some uncertainty about what Grace’s ascension implies for Kate and her VP role. Yet, the show has certainly provoked thoughts on the responsibilities and importance of that position, which is frequently misconstrued or neglected. Has it made you ponder this role differently or sparked a curiosity about the specific tasks involved in being a vice president?

Indeed. I often tune into Ezra Klein’s interviews and in-depth conversations about the role of vice presidents. During Season 2 production, a lively, colorful exchange between characters at dinner was included, with Hal using strong language that was inspired by real-life comments about the vice president, which at that time was Kamala Harris. Debora may confirm this detail. The role is indeed challenging, often underrated. It can be what you choose to make it. I believe Biden excelled as a vice president because of his deep understanding of Senate and foreign affairs, enabling him to engage in significant work. However, the position itself is demanding, and being a woman in such a role comes with its own set of challenges, as society still expects so much from women. We’re not quite there yet.

Kate finds herself torn about whether she should continue her marriage with Hal, as she grapples with the challenging circumstances she’s facing. Amidst the turbulent international situation they are dealing with, there are also intimate, everyday moments – such as Kate assisting him in removing his shoes following a heated argument, or comforting him during his panic attacks. Is Hal trustworthy or does he prioritize his career or ambitions over her?

Hal adores Kate deeply, perhaps even more than she reciprocates his feelings. He unreservedly supports her and would go to great lengths for her. I don’t believe he ever prioritizes his personal ambitions over hers. However, he acts swiftly and impulsively without always considering the consequences. I don’t think he operates with a strategic mindset, but he does make bold decisions that sometimes lead to unintended outcomes, such as calling the president unexpectedly and causing him distress. He simply doesn’t take time for careful planning. Despite this, I don’t believe he would ever put himself before her, though it may appear so at times. Kate has faith in his genuine character, but she is also aware that he often stands in his own way.

Are you able to grasp a significant part of our world, or are you finding that you’re more engaged with global events, especially those related to politics and international relations? Is your perspective on these matters evolving as well?

We’ll be filming some scenes discussing the mystery behind who destroyed the ship, and I keep finding myself asking Debora, “Hang on, who do you think is responsible again?” What’s captivating to me lately when following news stories or listening to officials speak, is not just what they say explicitly, but also what they imply. It’s become clear to me now that when they speak in a bland manner, it often means something else for another country to understand. Sometimes, the unsaid message can be stronger. All of this has made recent developments quite intriguing. The delicate balance that needs to be maintained is why we need certain individuals leading our nation rather than acting impulsively.

In the final episode, a character suggests that democracy is becoming less fashionable. This statement seems less exaggerated as reality mirrors it more each day. When working on “The Diplomat” during the third season, just before an election, how do you capture this sentiment while still being in a fictional universe?

It’s easy to think about it because it is what’s going on. The State Department, our army of peace and representation throughout the world, they are our representation. Something Debora was talking about last night at our premiere — the Middle East issue will be solved by diplomats in that room. That’s who helps broker those deals. Those are the people in there, on the ground, negotiating with the two sides. What’s going on in Ukraine will be answered and brokered and solved by diplomats. So these people, no matter what our politics are, no matter who wins a certain election, those people are still out there, on the ground, every day. It doesn’t matter who wins or loses, they still have to do their job. They deserve every support we have, every accolade. They are doing such important work in the world. It’s incredible to portray whatever sliver of their lives because what they’re doing is incredible.

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2024-10-31 19:31