Netflix’s ‘The Diplomat’ Season 2 Slashed to Six Episodes

The return of Netflix’s sleeper hit, The Diplomat, for its second season this Halloween has stirred up some unexpected buzz. Fans logging on to catch the new season will notice a significant change – season 2 has been trimmed down to just six episodes, a departure from the eight episodes of season 1.

While the knee-jerk reaction might be to point fingers at Netflix for the reduced episode count, the reality is quite different. The decision to cut the episode order was actually made by the series creator, Debora Cahn, who revealed that Netflix had initially wanted the full eight episodes. In an interview with TVLine, Cahn explained that the choice to shorten the season was driven by time constraints rather than budget concerns. She admitted that the workload was overwhelming, and she felt there wasn’t enough time to deliver a full eight episodes within the given timeframe.

Interestingly, it later emerged that the rushed decision to cut the episode count may not have been necessary. Cahn was initially under the impression that she had a tighter timeline for season 2, but it turned out that the production schedule was extended to a more manageable 18 months, a standard duration in the industry. Had she known this from the start, Cahn believes she could have delivered the full eight episodes that both Netflix and fans desired, highlighting a miscommunication that led to the episode reduction.

Looking ahead, fans can rest assured that a season 3 of The Diplomat is already in the works, with Netflix showing strong support for the show by renewing it ahead of the season 2 premiere. Production for the upcoming season has commenced, indicating a return to a more traditional timeline, potentially paving the way for an eight-episode season. Additionally, season 3 is set to shift its setting from DC to New York City, adding a fresh twist to the storyline.

The evolving landscape of television production is evident in the challenges faced by showrunners like Cahn, where delivering a standard eight-episode season within a reasonable timeframe has become a noteworthy feat. The days of churning out 22-episode seasons annually seem like a distant memory, as creators navigate new production realities and timelines.

As the saga of The Diplomat continues to unfold, fans can anticipate more twists and turns in the upcoming seasons, with the hope that the show will maintain its momentum and storytelling prowess in the changing TV landscape.