For someone who has been responsible for some of the buzziest, most confounding plot twists in the last 20 years of American television, The Diplomat’s creator and showrunner Debora Cahn is surprisingly skeptical about them.

The West Wing, Grey’s Anatomy, Homeland—gripping shows about talented and dedicated basket cases—are all watercooler shows precisely because of their “can you believe it?!” moments, but Cahn considers those big, buzzy surprises “melodramatic and stupid”. On the other hand, “if you’re going to tell a story,” that requires her to “promise I’ll entertain you.” Accordingly, she always incorporates “a little bit of action” into her work.

To viewers of the Netflix smash, “a little bit of action” is the epitome of understatement.

(Warning: Spoilers ahead.)

In The Diplo

See Full Page