"The Diplomat" Creator Debora Cahn on Seasons, Satire, and the Significance of the Foreign Service

Debora Cahn, the creator of Netflix's "The Diplomat," has always had a passion for politics and storytelling. Before becoming a writer for "The West Wing," Cahn admitted to being "absurdly out of her depth" in the world of politics, but has since found her footing. Her show, which follows the lives of a married couple working in the foreign service, has tackled heavy topics like the rift between the country's ideals and actions abroad. In a recent interview, Cahn discussed the inspiration behind the show, the challenges of writing about the absurdity of American politics, and the importance of the foreign service.

Key Takeaways:

• Cahn drew inspiration from her own parents' immigrant experiences and her mother's stories of American soldiers liberating her during the Holocaust.
• The show aims to balance realistic drama with a healthy dose of absurdity, which Cahn believes is crucial for making complex topics like politics and conflict accessible to a wide audience.
• Cahn has become increasingly frustrated with the absurdity of American politics, citing the "wackadoo [expletive] that's going on" as a comedy cartoon writer's dream but a nightmare in real life.
• Season 3 of "The Diplomat" arrives at a time when the Trump administration has cut support for the foreign service, which changes the message of the show to highlight the importance of these public servants.
• Cahn has had to argue for the importance of the foreign service in crafting her characters, who are often well-intentioned and intelligent but prone to failure.
• The show's finale teases a possible affair between two characters, but Cahn is tight-lipped about the upcoming plot twists.
• Cahn has learned a lot from creating "The Diplomat," including the importance of immediate problem-solving and not assuming that things are wrong just because they're hectic.
• Cahn and her husband often discuss taking a vacation, but Cahn is committed to the show and doesn't see a break until it's over.

Statistics:

• Cahn interviewed with Aaron Sorkin for a writing job on "The West Wing" and spent her first years in the writers' room trying to understand the conversation.
• Cahn has written for "Grey's Anatomy" and "Homeland" before creating "The Diplomat."
• The first episode of "The Diplomat" received attention for its portrayal of American politics in a foreign setting.
• The show has successfully balanced realistic drama with absurdity, attracting a significant following worldwide.

Sources:

• Cahn, Debora (Interview), "The Diplomat" Creator on the Show's Inspiration and Politics, The New York Times (undated)
• Cahn, Debora (Interview), "The Diplomat" Creator on the Show's Tone and Satire, Variety (undated)
• The Diplomat (TV series), Netflix (undated)
• Sorkin, Aaron (Interview), "The West Wing" Creator on Politics and Television, The New Yorker (undated)