Screen Queen TV Reviews: The Diplomat, The Chair Company, The Idea Of Australia, Murdaugh: Death In The Family

The Diplomat

Thursday, streaming on Netflix

There are cliffhangers, and then there’s the one The Diplomat served up last year. As insane twists go, the one that dropped in the final moments of the show’s sixth episode was one for the ages — my jaw was on the floor.

A year on, we’re finally getting to find out what it all means, with the first episode picking up immediately where we left things. The president is dead, and Hal (Rufus Sewell) and Kate (Keri Russell) are faced with the horrifying prospect that Allison Janney’s vice-president Grace Penn will be taking the reins — this won’t be a good outcome for either of them.

Due to an embargo, I can’t tell you more, but I will say this: you won’t want to miss a second as this propulsive series picks back up.

A word of warning though: you’ll need to refamiliarise yourself with what happened last season. There’s a good chance you’ll have forgotten what played out a year ago but thankfully there are stacks of great explainers online, so make sure you take a read. Twelve months is a long time and if your brain is as frazzled as mine is, you won’t be able to remember what you had for breakfast, let alone what played out on The Diplomat this time last year.

Real talk: ever since I found out that The West Wing and Homeland writer Deborah Cahn was behind this series, I’ve been invested. And with the state of the world being what it is, this show feels more relevant than ever. Though it’s a sad day when a fictitious TV show and its fictitious politicians, diplomats and officials (corrupt though some of them are in this) start to seem like a better proposition than the current US administration.

If you’ve not discovered this fantastic drama yet, get bingeing — it’s well worth your time.

To the rest of you: mark your diaries.

And start getting excited.

The Chair Company

Monday, streaming on Max

“Cringe comedy” isn’t for everybody, though I’ve always enjoyed dipping into shows like The Office. As difficult as it could be to watch, its considerable charm offset the awkward factor, and I always enjoyed the ride. I’m not sure I’ll be able to do that with this new comedy series from off-the-wall comedian Tim Robinson, best known for his bats... bananas Netflix sketch show, I Think You Should Leave. I’ve always struggled to watch more than a few of his skits, though my other half is absolutely obsessed. This plays out like an extended “bit” over eight episodes, and I’m not sure I’ll be able to go the distance. That said, fans will likely love this. An acquired taste.

Tell Me What You Really Think

Tuesday, 8.30pm, SBS

Marc Fennell is sitting down for dinner with five interesting people each week to talk about “the conversations we’re often too afraid of, or too polite, to start”. Ep one is all about ADHD, and it’s particularly fascinating, especially because during the course of his research into the topic, Fennell himself is diagnosed with it. This will get people talking.

The Idea Of Australia

Wednesday, 7.30pm, SBS

Rachel Griffiths is fronting this great doco, which takes a deep dive into the concept of Australian identity. Ep two, all about Federation and our constitution, sounds dull but is actually illuminating.

Murdaugh: Death In The Family

Wednesday, streaming on Disney Plus

Patricia Arquette and Australian actor Jason Clarke play Alex and Maggie Murdaugh in this dramatic retelling of real events. This is inspired by the popular Murdaugh Murders podcast — one for true-crime fans.