Where was The Diplomat season 1 filmed? All filming locations explored

The Diplomat is a political thriller series created by Debora Cahn, starring Kerri Russell as the titular diplomat. It debuted on Netflix on April 20, 2023, and aired its second season on October 31, 2024. The series was renewed for a third season ahead of the season 2 premiere in October 2024.

The Diplomat is executive produced by Debora Cahn, Janice Williams, Keri Russell, and Simon Cellan Jones. Its official logline, as per Netflix, reads:

"Amid an international crisis, a US diplomat contends with her high-profile new job as ambassador to the UK and her turbulent marriage to a political star."

The Diplomat season 1 was filmed in London in the United Kingdom and in the French city of Paris.

All the filming locations of The Diplomat season 1 explored

The Diplomat was filmed at the Louvre Museum in Paris (Image via Instagram/@thedavidgyasi)

The Diplomat season 1 was filmed between April 2022 and November 2022, mostly in and around London in the United Kingdom. The series is set in London, except for the opening scenes, which take place in the United States.

London, England

In April 2023, Keri Russell spoke to Newsweek about the importance of filming the series in London:

"London has a pretty fun wild scene. It's not all pomp and circumstance, but that is absolutely one of the characters of the show."

The political drama was filmed in real London locations, including the American embassy at Nine Elms, the Foreign Office in Westminster, and The Durbar Court. The memorial scene in episode two was shot at the Old Royal Naval College in Greenwich, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Other locations included Rose Deli Café, Drapers' Hall, the MI6 Building at Vauxhall Cross, and 116 Pall Mall near Trafalgar Square.

All scenes involving the Oval Office and US Embassy were filmed at the London North Studios in North West London. Furthermore, some scenes were shot at the 17th-century wine shop, Berry Bros. and Rudd, and the Smith & Wollensky steak house in London.

Lastly, the scene from the season finale episode where Hal gives a speech at Chatham House was filmed at the Royal Society of Arts in central London.

Outside London

The real US Ambassador's residence, Winfield House, was not used for filming; instead, Wrotham Park in Hertfordshire served as its stand-in. Ditchley Park in Oxfordshire was used to represent Chevening House, Dennison's estate in Kent.

Also, the Cotswold Airport located in Gloucestershire was among the filming locations for The Diplomat season 1.

Paris, France

In the season finale episode, Kate and Dennison travel to Paris. Among the filming locations in Paris is the 17th-century Palais-Royal, which is home to the French Council of State.

Also, the exterior and interior shots of the Louvre Museum, including the impressive staircase called the Escalier Daru, were captured for the series. The famous artworks featured included the sculpture known as the Winged Victory of Samothrace and Jacques-Louis David’s painting, The Coronation of Napoleon.

A sequence was filmed at the Parisian restaurant, Le Saint-Régis, located on the Saint-Louis island. Lastly, the season's final scene was filmed on the Pont Royal, a famous bridge over the Seine river.

Also Read: Where is The Diplomat season 2 filmed? All shooting locations explored

Plot summary

The Diplomat season 1 tells the story of an American diplomat, Kate Wyler, who gets appointed as the ambassador to the United Kingdom in the midst of an international crisis, the bombing of the British HMS Courageous. Kate and the UK's Foreign Secretary, Austin Dennison, find the British Prime Minister, Nicol Trowbridge, to be responsible for bombing his own country's warship.

Moreover, the deputy chief of misson, Stuart Heyford, grooms her for a potential vice presidential role at the behest of the White House Chief of Staff, Billie Appiah.

Also Read: Will there be a The Diplomat season 3? Explained