NETFLIX & THRILLS

FROM jumping off an exploding building strapped to Tom Cruise in Mission: Impossible III to going into battle in Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker, Keri Russell has had extraordinary roles.

- HEATHER GREENAWAY

But the 48-year-old says playing a US ambassador in Netflix series The Diplomat has proved one of the most challenging and enjoyable experiences of her career.

Keri, back on our screens for a second run as diplomat Kate Wyler, admits it took a while to get her head round the political jargon and reveals she spent time with a real ambassador while preparing for the role.

The mum of three, who is married to actor Matthew Rhys, said: "I remember reading the script for the first time and I knew it was special and that I had to somehow do it. I'm so glad I did as it's so well written and the people I get to work with are just so talented and so brilliant.

"I have learned that to be an ambassador is to give up any kind of normal life. These highly intelligent and brilliant people have to be able to work anywhere at any time. They speak multiple languages and have to be able to deal with all kinds of difficult and challenging situations.

"The political jargon was also hard.

It's a lot of words and diplomatic speech but the language is a huge part of the show and the character."