Diplomat on Netflix: A real consul reacts to the series

If you’ve already devoured eight episodes of La Diplomate – the wonderful series created by Deborah Kahn and directed by Keri Russell – you must have asked yourself this question: is everything true?

We remind you that Kate Wyler (Kerry Russell) is the new American ambassador to the United Kingdom. An appointment he neither considered nor desired, and which is therefore unexpected. After taking up a position in London, she faces a possible major international crisis after a British ship is attacked in the Persian Gulf and her marriage to Hal (Rufus Sewell) ends.

Throughout the first season, Kate has to adjust to her new job in the spotlight. A position that is simultaneously strategic, political, and therefore necessarily dangerous. But the series also offers a unique insight into the day-to-day life of an ambassador, a profession rarely represented in fiction and often limited to supporting roles.

Also, Julie Duhau-Bedois, the current consul general of France in Los Angeles, posted her reaction to the series on Twitter in a rather funny thread, but in which she provides some insight:

“Since #TheDiplomat hit @Netflix, I’ve had a lot of questions about the difference between the show and the reality of a diplomat’s life. Here are some things that made me react, like, or laugh.“

“1/7 To my female colleagues: Who should choose between 10 different dresses to borrow for a cocktail party?“Julie Duhau-Bedois exaggerates this aspect of the series a bit. And especially since Kate Wyler is not really a fashionista and prefers a black suit for everyday work and hates wearing a dress for a cocktail. , but we conclude that the French consul must dig into her wardrobe for formal evenings.

“2/7 Last-minute ministerial visits do exist, but they are usually prepared for months, so no diplomat will forget that a minister is coming in 20 minutes. Impossible!“Julie Duhau-Bedois points to an episode where Kate pits the Secretary of State against the British Prime Minister’s secret political adviser, Nicole Trowbridge, played by Rory Kinnear.

“3/7 To Protocol Specialists: What diplomat does not know that before the credentials are presented to the head of state of the country to which the ambassador is assigned, a copy is given to the foreign minister?“Kate Wyler seems to have missed an essential step in her protocol… but at the same time, it’s her style. Before being named ambassador in London, he was deployed to Afghanistan, where action took the rules to follow. letter.

“4/7 Unlike Hal (the ambassador’s husband), our partners/spouses support us. Their flexibility (not to mention the professional sacrifices they sometimes make) is the key to a successful job abroad.“The consul here does not specify that Hull is also a former ambassador. In real life, do all diplomats find their spouses in the same profession? In the series, Kate and Hal are kind of rivals, hence the difficulties they face. A couple in marriage.

“5/7 True: The Deputy Chief of Mission (CMA) is central to the plot of the series and is essential to an Ambassador, just like CMAs are in real life. Cheers to the CMAs!The Deputy Head of Mission is the number two diplomat assigned to an embassy or other diplomatic mission. He is generally considered second-in-command to the head of mission (usually the ambassador). Business (i.e. Acting Head of Mission) when the current Head of Mission is outside the host country or when the position is vacant. In the series, this is Stuart Hayford, played by Ato Essandohi.

“6/7 Yes: A delicate transition between a long day at work and an evening social event (deodorant and a hairbrush are your allies).“The series doesn’t spare us these kinds of details, and Kate is candid about the fact that she sweats a lot and doesn’t shy away from smelling her husband’s arms when she doesn’t have time to shower before bed. We get it. That ambassador’s job isn’t just glamorous!

“7/7 Overall: Yes, a lot is taken out of our day-to-day work, but the series rightly portrays the diplomat as an expert who is passionate about his work. I’m interested in your opinion about the series!“

We understand that Julie Duhau-Bedois remains a bit unsettled by the purely fictional elements of the series, but the world presented by Deborah Kahn and the missions assigned to Kate Wyler seem to hold up. And you ? What do you think ?