“They’re First Ones In and Last to Leave” - Keri Russell on America’s State Department Staff

Keri Russell learned a lot about how the State Department works for her role in the new series, “The Diplomat,” which premieres April 20th on Netflix.
#Colbert #KeriRussell #TheDiplomat
---
Subscribe To "The Late Show" Channel: bit.ly/ColbertKZbin
Watch full episodes of "The Late Show": bit.ly/1Puei40
Listen to "The Late Show Pod Show" podcast: link.chtbl.com/Awagtx95?sid=yt
Like "The Late Show" on Facebook: on. 1df139Y
Follow "The Late Show" on Twitter: bit.ly/1dMzZzG
Follow "The Late Show" on Instagram: bit.ly/29wfREj
Watch The Late Show with Stephen Colbert weeknights at 11:35 PM ET/10:35 PM CT. Only on CBS.
---
Stephen Colbert brings his signature satire and comedy to THE LATE SHOW with STEPHEN COLBERT, the #1 show in late night, where he talks with an eclectic mix of guests about what is new and relevant in the worlds of politics, entertainment, business, music, technology and more. Featuring bandleader Louis Cato and “THE LATE SHOW band,” the Peabody Award-winning and Emmy Award-nominated show is broadcast from the historic Ed Sullivan Theater. Stephen Colbert took over as host, executive producer and writer of THE LATE SHOW on Sept. 8, 2015.

[@michelleschohn5238]

Foreign Service Officer here. We are non-partisan in that we serve at the pleasure of the President and when we are overseas, we are required to support the foreign policy of the President regardless of whether we agree or not. We are not allowed to hold a partisan political office while serving or actively campaign for any political party. But we can and do vote.

[@LBF522]

Good to know.

[@Aurabora54321]

Thank you for clarifying this and for your service to our country.

[@LBF522]

@@Aurabora54321 I second that.

[@expo1706]

That is simply ridiculous, 1000 times over. I would uderstand supporting good, profitable, truthful, decent, moral forgein policy, but could never ever support a crooks foreign policy, like that of the current president and those who curently pull the strings in the U.S. Adevarate tampenii!!

[@clearytheory8826]

Thanks, Keri, for the plug for the Foreign Service -- yes, it is poorly understood. Yes: They do serve whom the people elect - but they can and do vote.

[@pr-ji1ni]

She did such an incredible job in The Americans. I really can’t imagine her “failing” in any role.

[@anxiousappliance]

She is a great actor. How about a show with her and Laura Linny - -dang...

[@kerryallen4665]

She deserved an Emmy for her work!

[@furryrug5998]

Such a cool lady

[@howardzdenek98]

Defining role of her entire career The Americans. Any actor or actress should be proud to the max.

[@your_royal_highness]

I cannot believe a Russian plant is now in the U.S. diplomatic corps. Terrible…..

[@MikeRiderOOO]

Her and Matthew Rhys were phenomenal on The Americans. Both on screen and in real life.

[@katsugarkanemonroe762]

English actor RUFUS SEWELL, Kerri's on screen hubby from THE DIPLOMAT, is utterly brilliant..Please invite Rufus on for an interview..He's bloody brilliant!

[@EriqKoontz]

Keri Russell is a fascinating actor, one of the best before the public today. Her work in the series “The Americans“ was completely and utterly convincing. She BECAME the woman the series was written about.

[@DavidTullyPhD]

State Department employees absolutely vote.

[@Djamzy]

Was getting on here to say the same and Colbert should be a diplomat because he knew she was wrong and gracefully allowed her to believe that falsehood.

[@Equilibrium29]

I think she just generalized it. I think some might not vote. If I worked for State Dept. with a higher role (GS-12 and up), I wouldn't vote. I know it may be silly, but there is a psychological dissociation to stay neutral.

[@m0j0b0ne]

It may be true at some levels; I have no personal knowledge. I know there were certain rights I gave up when I joined the military, so I guess it's possible. I do know they're expected to be apolitical and non-partisan.

[@michelleschohn5238]

Foreign Service Officer here. We are non-partisan in that we serve at the pleasure of the President and when we are overseas, we are required to support the foreign policy of the President regardless of whether we agree or not. We are not allowed to hold a partisan political office while serving or actively campaign for any political party. But we do vote.

[@jnpilot]

One of the realest actresses in Hollywood. Always have loved her since Felicity. Love how humble she is and her ability to laugh at herself. She’s a great interview and could have chemistry with a pencil.

[@andersej]

Loved her since Married with Children...

[@felicitypodcast1491]

Those of us who have been following her career since Felicity have been rewarded with so many great Keri Russell roles!

[@chestnut1279]

this is also why she prob felt ill-suited to broadway. i think broadway actors take themselves far too seriously. saying things like they so inhabited their roles that they couldn't even function after the play stops. etc. Keri's great, she deserve the emmy for the americans.

[@chihianfoo118]

Not forgetting Cocaine Bear

[@pamelanichols804]

Fantastic actress, loved the Americans. Waiting to see her new show. It's funny how many actors are introverts.❤❤

[@mimicampbell5271]

I love how real she is!

[@Tiuri2007]

OMG KERI RUSSEL , I love the diplomat so much !!!!

[@toma5153]

Loved her in The Americans.

[@juraj_b]

I should finish that before this show start... great show

[@mikedonavan]

@@juraj_b their not even dead and rhys says mabye season 7 soon

[@felicitypodcast1491]

Keri was already great from the beginning of her career, but she just seems to get better in every role. So glad to see her in The Diplomat!

[@tmackie1694]

So excited to see “The Diplomat”. Recently rewatched entire series of “The Americans” - so great.

[@Czoslop]

The Americans is still one of my personal favorites. She and her husband Matthew Rhys were incredible and The Diplomat is awesome too.

[@cian49]

love her honesty. Refreshing

[@stephanieprice722]

Felicity hasn't aged a day.

[@Shaftell]

Real good advice from both of them. It's okay to fail and also don't be so hard on yourself.

[@stanislavsidorovich6242]

Diplomat is so much fun, loved it

[@francescahuemerkelly7119]

Clearing up a few things here, although as a foreign service spouse for 33 years, I'm gratified to hear her applaud the dedicated folks at the State Dept. But, yes, we vote! Absolutely! So that was the one falsehood Keri unwittingly spread and I hope it's corrected. And, yes, there are two types of ambassadors: those who are career foreign service, and those who are political appointments. Many believe we should abolish politically appointed ambassadorships because they are often given as a reward for people who worked on a presidential campaign, so you could consider that corruption, really, although we have served along with some excellent political appointees. But there are certain posts, like London and Paris, that never go to career FS folks, and it appears that in the upcoming show The Diplomat, that's the premise: that's she's a career officer who somehow gets the plum assignment of Ambassador to the Court of St. James (London). We'll see how accurate the show is -- very curious. And I do love Keri Russell!

[@KellySimon]

Hey - this was excellent insight. Thank you! and thank you for your service too. 🙂

[@catherinemcmullen7444]

Yes, my jaw dropped when she said they do not vote!!!!

[@lynnstlaurent6789]

Reading Marie Yovanovitch’s book was very enlightening about the state department.

[@id10t98]

It's a show. Fiction. Just like Breaking Bad and BCS, it aint real. Cartels do not use culverts for large money drops.

[@karratop1]

My dad just retired from the Foreign Service after 37 years, so I had no idea what she was talking about with both the voting thing and her description of Ambassadors... an odd way to explain Career vs. Political Appointees! I'm excited to watch the show, maybe with my parents...hoping they'll depict a little of the life of the average FSO and their families :).

[@hannemanart]

I adore this woman!

[@amusicment4829]

The Americans was one of my all-time favorite shows… can’t wait to see The Diplomats

[@gogirl709]

The Diplomat is really good - watched several episodes this weekend

[@bozoli26]

Hahaha! Keri is so endearing and funny! Love her enthusiasm for the new role 💜

[@ToniGlick]

She is so good in The Diplomat. Doesn't hurt that it's incredibly well written and the rest of the cast are super talented as well.

[@bonniewylie3287]

Agreed!

[@Ace1King1]

Too much profanity!

[@lalique512]

The Diplomat is a fantastic Netflix series. It’s well written and made up of outstanding cast. I binge-watched all 8 episodes in 2 nights because I got hooked on it. Now I’m waiting for Season 2. Keri Russell and Rufus Sewell are excellent in their roles. I cannot imagine any other actors doing their parts. Love this series. It is both intriguing and captivating.

[@Ace1King1]

@@lalique512 Too much profanity!

[@ToniGlick]

@@Ace1King1 I'll try to tone it down. 🙊

[@LISA61367]

Fantastic series! Can’t wait until season 2!

[@lisachaput2952]

August Rush was a really feel good movie to escape in...🤗

[@elmodancer]

Alarmed she believes diplomats don't vote. I sure do. Am now a bit worried I'm doing things wrong.

[@embreis2257]

foreign office officials from my country vote too. no worries

[@bstewartexecutivecarcare3797]

What a great laugh she has ‼️

[@SanePerson1]

Seeing that she felt she failed on Broadway and so forthrightly says so was touching and endearing - even if she was being too f*cking hard on herself.

[@pathendlem]

Absolutely loved her in the Americans

[@cesararellanes6188]

The State Department rocks 🤟🏼🤟🏼

[@geneconnelly3852]

I saw her in Burn This on Broadway and she was Fantastic! Whole cast was Rock solid - at least the night that I saw them.

[@girlfromthebronxbywayofelb7288]

I saw "Burn this" in a prior version. I must say I absolutely hated that play, not because of the actors, but because of the writing and the characters themselves. They just all seemed a bit spoiled and I couldn't find a reason to care about them. I bet Keri Russell could have added something better. I do remember there was this scene where the protagonist was brewing a pot of tea wrapping the pot in a tea towel. Why? I was just left wondering the whole time.... Btw I have never hated a bway show ever, but that show was.....hmmm ...

[@geneconnelly3852]

@@girlfromthebronxbywayofelb7288 when did you see Burn This on Brdwy? The last time it was on was like 1988. Unless someone did an off-broadway version. But i could see how a fully funded version (Adam Driver don't come cheap) might hit the boards different. I could see how it might come off as pretentious in lesser hands.

[@girlfromthebronxbywayofelb7288]

Yes, it was the original run, could have been 1988. I was just really disappointed by the characters.

[@chestnut1279]

agree. she was perfectly fine. the play itself is yick

[@jojoba11]

Her honesty was so refreshing!! Loved it. Can't wait to see the Diplomat!

[@TransitionMaven]

Waiting to see how many State Dept employees comment on ‘ they don’t vote’ -

[@Equilibrium29]

I think she just generalized it. I think some might not vote. If I worked for State Dept. with a higher role (GS-12 and up), I wouldn't vote. I know it may be silly, but there is a psychological dissociation to stay neutral.

[@karratop1]

Yep!! That and the odd description of political vs. career appointee Ambassadors...

[@surlespasdondine]

If the have time to loose in a youtube comment section...

[@aiai-j7i]

I love her. She can do no wrong...

[@wonderlizz]

Love love love the diplomat!

[@sani71]

I have always found her very pretty and cute. Now after seeing this interview, I really like her personality too. Humble, sweet and genuine.

[@NewMessage]

She should be on the Forestry Service staff. That lady knows how to deal with rogue bears.

[@ca8rio8ca]

GREEEEEAAAT show! Loving Diplomat

[@rebeccahenderson7761]

The Americans was awesome, and she was fantastic!

[@biatch1966]

Just love her 😊

[@geoffreyfeinberg9792]

She's a very good actress. She looks good.

[@merissaj4518]

Thank goodness Stephen said, "It is also important not to be so f*cking hard on yourself." That message gets lost a lot, especially with perfectionists, which Keri may be.

[@KellySimon]

I loved that too

[@jasonezzell6901]

That was really sweet.

[@ct6852]

Yeah she looks like an A student to me.

[@Ace1King1]

Profanity is not necessary. Did you ever hear Carson utter one of these disgusting words?

[@merissaj4518]

@@Ace1King1 As a student of many languages, I don't believe swearing denotes anything about the user, though there are studies that show people with larger vocabularies swear more often. I have heard some perfectly horrific statements come from people that contained no swear words. I understand you may not like it, but language and interpretation of language evolves. It wasn't common in Carson's day to swear; it wasn't a part of the culture. It is now.

[@tomyoung5449]

Love her laugh!

[@arthurwatts1680]

Cult status aside, she was wasted in Cocaine Bear. The double life she and her partner lived in The Americans was intense, and I never quite got over the finale. I really hope we see her in something worthy of her range very soon.

[@AisuruMirai]

"she was wasted in Cocaine Bear." If you mean that her talents were wasted, then you should say that, because "she was wasted" usually means something very different.

[@arthurwatts1680]

@@AisuruMirai hey, the bear did his level best to add her to the body count and, no, I don't believe she got high on the bear's windfall. Actors need work to pay the bills and I expect that the success of the film came as a pleasant surprise.

[@TrueSake]

It's about a Bear high on Cocaine... everyone's time was wasted.

[@jennifermcgoldrick6323]

Weird take on a silly comedy made during lockdown.

[@arthurwatts1680]

@@mariafernandasaldarriaga4838 sure, and Sam Jackson made 'Snakes On A Plane', another fun movie for your collection, but it's not one of the roles he will be remembered for. Kari can do better and I look forward to seeing what she does next.

[@Petrarka17]

The Americans was up there with The Wire and The Sopranos as the best tv series ever, it’s always hard to follow up such iconic role with something different.

[@Tesserae]

The phrase she was searching for at the end was, “You learn more by failing”.

[@nina1608]

Such interesting and engaging TV! I highly recommend watching it - and I so intensely wish for a second series! Netflix, you can't keep us in suspense after this cocaine bear of a cliffhanger!

[@jkkaki7430]

She really is fantastic🙌🏾never seen her in an interview before. But I first saw her in Waitress and I loved it😃Keep it Mademoiselle Russell🌸Keep on shinin✨

[@jeanetteschock4744]

The Americans was amazing and coccaine bear was so fun!!!

[@FO_Biggles]

WOW! Cool scene!!

[@MsJen_GZ]

I just love Keri!!! Shes incredible!! I loved how Stephen made her feel better and said you don't have to be so hard on yourself. In reality for all of us, its soo true!!!

[@Hereford567]

As Sam Elliot says in the Big Lebowski…..sometimes you eat the bear and sometimes the bear eats you.

[@ScottyColoradoKid]

She is from my hometown here Littleton CO; as is Melissa Benoist (and Amy Adams/Castle Rock)

[@renatacantore3684]

Keri is so adorable 💖🌞🏆👏🏽👏🏼👏🏽👏🏼👏🏽

[@rileymcphee9429]

It sounded like she was about to explain the difference between political and career ambassadors but lost her train of thought.

[@hilarycooperartist]

Weighing in to agree that yes Foreign service officers do vote. Both my parents were career FSOs. They cannot however involve themselves in politicking. My mom, when sworn in as an FSO, had to give up her activities in the Women’s Rights Movement in the 70s as an example. Love Keri Russell and really enjoyed the Diplomat. Also Rufus Sewell!

[@Vitault]

How was it growing up? Really curious, if you don't mind me asking

[@id10t98]

Most people have no clue what it takes to keep a country running.

[@joannejohnson7006]

What a great cast! I will follow this project now!❤

[@nathanpiazza9644]

Her description of state department employees is like when you didn't read the book but you try to give a book report anyway...

[@PickpocketJones]

State Dept is a big organization and there is a significant difference between say a foreign service employee at an embassy vs the IT guy at a state building in DC vs the security guard at a building vs the guy who prints the passports.

[@ct6852]

Thought she was the coolest thing ever since I saw Honey I Blew Up The Kid at Disneyworld as a kid. Happy she's had such a great career. Her hair was epic on Felicity. For the first season at least.

[@connordiaz8575]

I loved this series so much

[@MayraEstrada-ht6ox]

Magnifica actris Kery..

[@maureenparker6185]

Stephen was incredibly kind to her. She is a wonderful actress. I have love every movie she's ever been in...especially her wit for comedy.

[@friedfish69]

You sure about that "no voting" thing? I'm pretty sure I voted.

[@lysd1574]

Love this woman!!! She was phenomenal in The Americans...she established herself as the best of the best....truth is I only tuned into the Diplomat because of her...the subject sounded yawn-inducing and I've long found her co-star Rufus Sewell very unappealing. Well I was very pleasantly surprised with what an interesting, well-written show it is and Keri is magnificent as is Rufus---he spun me around completely with his charm and talent. Good drama and deft humor...just so good

[@djd8305]

"They don't vote." In Ireland military officers can vote, but only by postal ballot .Soldiers can, so it's not about overseas service. We're not allowed to walk into a polling station because we might show allegiance to one party or another. I love this.

[@grahamstubbs4962]

Damned if I understand why people repeatedly do what scares them. They just seem to be the people that are best at it.

[@DrthGrth]

Probably has something to do with seeing the value in challenging yourself to grow.

[@paulcasey5204]

Binge watched it. Mostly excellent. Soap opera'ish bits aside it was like watching an extended Hypothetical. The garden fight was one of the funniest things I've seen in years.

[@carolwarchol976]

That is the actor from the Man in the High Castle.

[@genomitchalinni8106]

Marines always have the best stories.

[@hava4784]

Greate show

[@juliancumpian2747]

Didn't she leave the tour group which led to this new role?

[@ensign_poo]

definitely going on my list. I love this style of stuff she does.

[@genomitchalinni8106]

As an American, born here, in our country, I am shocked, by the division. Canada is too cold for me.

[@jennamayer3306]

As a civil servant, I can assure you that we can vote! There are restrictions on the types of political activities we can engage in, but what we do in our private life is separate from our service to the country.

[@kevindean5833]

In my oppinion Keri Russell is just absolutely gorgeous , what i wouldn't give to take her to dinner. Loved her the very first time I saw her.Just WOW. xxxxxxx

[@katekramer7679]

"It's a really fascinating job that no one knows about" Me: Wow, DC really is a bubble

[@vrvaughn]

I thought she was finally giving the PA’s some love and recognition but of course not.

[@dad102]

I like her.

[@ThePeopleSing]

We vote.

[@brucewilson2763]

How cute is Keri?

[@MorganaDarkgoddess]

The last thing he said to her was exactly what she needed to hear.

[@HeartFeltGesture]

Shes humble n sweet and Cocaine Bear was a good addition to the comedy horror genre.

[@jasondray4048]

Foreign Service officers and specialists do, in fact, vote.

[@edwardallenthree]

Damn. I could never be a career ambassador. I'm too much of an individualist and also, ironically, too much of a globalist to ever do it.

[@paulvanobberghen]

Marine One has a « G » registration number? That kills it completely! « G » registration numbers are for civil airplanes registered in the U.K.! What a blunder!

[@brewwin]

Foreign service officers CAN vote!! It's an American right. You do not surrender your rights.

[@genomitchalinni8106]

On the farthest area of America, I can actually see, Canada. (Sarah Palin), wind out of Canada is "brisk". The storms we first get, devestate the rest of the nation. You would think that there are better ways to build in vunerable areas.

[@catherinesmith2412]

FOREIGN SERVICE OFFICER HERE...WE ABSOLUTELY DO VOTE AND WE SERVE AT THE PLEASURE OF THE PRESIDENT OF THE US. WE MAY NOT HOLD POLITICAL OFFICE WHILE SERVING, AND WE MAY NOT CAMPAIGN FOR ANY POLITICAL PARTY. BUT I ASSURE YOU, WE CAN AND DO VOTE.

[@LBF522]

Good to know. Thanks for the information.

[@Historian212]

Holy crap, the husband is played by Rufus fucking Sewell??? (Which I'm a bit shocked neither Keri nor Stephen mentioned, oops.) Terrific Brit actor, but damn, now I have to re-up for Netflex. Argh.

[@marilynrowland5197]

I knew he looked familiar! Thanks for the clarification!

[@bonniewylie3287]

You really should. He's excellent in this role!

[@pgknippel]

Well, something else I have to see!

[@viralshorts699]

Work hard, dream big.

[@colonial6452]

Yikes. Marine One has a British registration. "John Smith" plays a great role in this show.

[@sevenprovinces]

That clip looked incredibly promising for the tv show, not that I should be surprised with Kate "Elizabeth Jennings/Nadezhda" Russell at the helm. And now also Matthew Rhys starring in a lead in a classical yet modern re-telling of the classic 'detective drama'". The show is a slow burn so far, but really growing on me, reminiscent a lof 'China Town' with Jack Nicholson, I don't think it will be the hit the Americans was, or the kind of show that - like the Americans - will see itself steadily and constantly grow in its fan base. (Advertising the Americans to friends "It is this espionage drama about Soviet sleeper agents embedded in American society and infiltrating in to top tiers of the (security) apparatus is as succinctly as I can put it. But, in part to her amazing acting work (along with that of her actual, real world husband, Matthew Rys, made the acting even more compelling, believable and layered) that story has now found a mass audience again with the invasion of Ukraine and now the apparent Chinese infiltration of the Pentagon or, at least, Russia having found a willing or naive or selfish enough agent (for whatever reason) to leak information to Russia. I seriously feel it should be a timeless show about ideals, the betrayal of ideals and the impact political dogma has on both the world writ large and the people practicing it. Looking forward to 'the Diplomat'! ♥

[@sergiosaunier]

It looks very interesting. Now I want to watch it! By the way, "The Americans" was one of the best tv series ever, and "Perry Mason" is really good. What a couple these two make!

[@manuelacimini8730]

La migliore di sempre ❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤

[@Tonyhouse1168]

I only know her from Scrubs. Might’ve fallen in love a little bit..

[@wilsonofcanada]

The title sounds like hardcore buffet eaters

[@erikpeterson25]

Wow!! Looks the same! sorry , only movie she was in that I was aware of is " August Rush" . I'm sure she is good in all the others 👍