The Diplomat (Netflix)

A British warship has been bombed, initial evidence points to Iran suspects Iran and the world is on the brink of war. Experienced US diplomat Katherine Wayland is about to take up a posting in Afghanistan, where she hopes to mitigate the effect of the Taliban rulers on its female population and facilitate the escape of US affiliated locals. Instead she is summoned to Washington and put on a plane to London, to deal with the fallout of an apparent Iranian attack on a British warship. Little does she know this is a test of her suitability to replace the Vice President and shore up the elderly President. In the vein of Madame Secretary, but with sharper dialogue and much less cheese, this series is fascinating and satisfying, delving into the details of US politics and international relations in the setting of post-Brexit Britain. The eight episodes follow the arc of a difficult diplomatic situation, with the underlying and parallel story of a disintegrating marriage. Keri Russell is at her peak as the reluctant new Ambassador and Rufus Sewell revels in the role of her Machiavellian former diplomat husband, who may have his own political ambitions. The supporting cast includes some fantastic British actors, such as Celia Imrie, Rory Kinnear and Penny Downie. An explosive cliffhanger ending hopefully signals a second series.