A numbers game

It’s thrilling to see showrunners in their 50s writing messy heroines who still prevail. Heaven knows, we've waited long enough

- Deepanjana Pal

Two fictional diplomats have lit up our small screens lately: Seo Mun-ju (played by Jun Ji-hyun) in Tempest, and Kate Wyler (played by Keri Russell) in The Diplomat.

Jun’s Mun-ju is a former ambassador who enters politics after her husband is killed. The Tempest became the most-watched Korean original on Disney+ worldwide within days of its release. It didn't hurt that she has a dreamy bodyguard (played by Gang Dong-won), or that the two have explosive chemistry. As swoon-worthy as he may be, Mun-ju is the undisputed hero. He saves her life, but she saves the day.

Meanwhile, Season 3 of The Diplomat (2023-) on Netflix sees Kate juggle a new boyfriend, her unconventional relationship with husband Hal (Rufus Sewell), and a range of political crises. Grace Penn (Allison Janney), her rival from the last season, in fact, is now US President. And, as if the Wyler marriage didn't have enough to contend with, she picks Hal as her VP.