The political thriller stars Keri Russell with Rufus Sewell, Rory Kinnear and Celia Imrie.
Former Doctor Who star Pearl Mackie, who played Bill Potts opposite Peter Capaldi, is proving that Doctor Who continues to be terrific launchpad for a wider career.
The Brixton born actor, who joined the show from a production of The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night Time, returned to the stage straight afterwards; she appeared with Steven Mangan, Toby Jones and Zoe Wanamaker in a revival of Harold Pinter’s The Birthday Party.
Back on the small screen, she since guested in the finale of Channel 4’s Friday Night Dinner, before playing DS Jen Rafferty in BritBox & itv’s crime drama The Long Call.
Now, The Hollywood Reporter has announced her casting in Netflix’s new political thriller The Diplomat, alongside that of Jess Chanliau (Intimate Zero). While no character details are forthcoming, we know that Mackie plays Alysse while Chanliau is Ronnie with both in “recurring roles.”
The Diplomat
Created by Homeland producer Debora Cahn, The Diplomat follows Kate Wyler (Keri Russell) through an international crisis. She’s a career diplomat who has landed a high-profile role she’s unsuited to and finds it has “tectonic implications” for her marriage and her diplomatic future.
Pearl Mackie is joining quite the stellar cast. As well as Kerri Russell, the show will star Rufus Sewell, Rory Kinnear and Celia Imrie. The ensemble also includes Ali Ahn, Nana Mensah, David Gyasi, Ato Essandoh, Miguel Sandoval, Penny Downie and Michael McKean.
Pearl Mackie also excitedly shared the casting news via her Instagram:
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The Diplomat is currently filming with Years and Years director Simon Cellan Jones helming the first two of eight episodes. Deborah Cahn is an executive producer, along with Keri Russell and Janice Williams.
The (other) Diplomat
Hopefully there will be no confusion between the Keri Russell led show and upcoming UKTV series of the same name; The Diplomat, from World Productions, is bound for Alibi.
Set in Barcelona, that show stars Sophie Rundle (Gentleman Jack) working out of the British Consulate. Her character, Laura Simmons, will investigate the unexplained death of a young British barman.
Perhaps one or other of these shows will embrace a name change? We’ll keep you posted.