Watch Ambassadors

Ambassadors is a political satire series from BBC TWO that premiered in 2013. The show follows two British diplomats, Keith Davis (David Mitchell) and Neil Tilly (Robert Webb), who are posted to the fictional country of Tazbekistan in Central Asia. They are tasked with making sure the country's mineral wealth is secured for Britain, but soon find themselves embroiled in a range of complicated and often hilarious situations.

Keith Davis is the more serious of the two and takes his role as ambassador very seriously, but also sometimes takes himself too seriously. Neil Tilly is his polar opposite, a laid-back and charming diplomat who likes to have fun and can sometimes be a little too careless. Together, they make a hilarious duo that keeps the audience engaged throughout.

The series also features a number of other key characters. Jennifer Davis (Keeley Hawes), Keith's wife, is a socialite who is determined to make the most of the luxurious lifestyle that comes with being an ambassador's wife. Susan Lynch plays Caitlin, the embassy's head of security who has a no-nonsense attitude but also has a soft spot for Keith. Shivani Ghai plays Natalia, a local interpreter who becomes increasingly involved in the diplomats' work. Amara Karan plays Isabel, a savvy and ambitious young journalist who is determined to expose the diplomats' secrets. Yigal Naor plays the President of Tazbekistan, a character who is both charismatic and shrewd. Finally, Matthew MacFadyen plays POD, the embassy's IT expert who is obsessed with gadgets and technology.

The show is set in the fictional country of Tazbekistan and explores themes that are familiar to anyone who has an interest in international politics. Though the country is fictional, it is clear that it is meant to represent a range of countries that have experienced similar problems such as corruption, lack of democracy, and unrest. Throughout the series, the diplomats must navigate their way through different political factions, deal with local customs and traditions, and try to form alliances with local leaders.

One of the most compelling things about Ambassadors is the way in which it blends humor with serious political issues. The show is full of laugh-out-loud moments, but it also tackles some big issues such as corruption, human rights, and the role of the west in international affairs. The writing is sharp and witty, and the performances from the cast are excellent. Mitchell and Webb, who rose to fame with the sketch show Peep Show, have great chemistry on screen and their characters are both believable and entertaining. Hawes, Lynch, Ghai, Karan, Naor, and MacFadyen all give strong performances that round out a great ensemble cast.

The show also benefits from its setting. Tazbekistan is a fictional country, but it feels real and is brought to life through stunning location footage and intricate set design. It is clear that a lot of effort went into creating a believable world for the characters to inhabit, and this attention to detail pays off in spades.

Overall, Ambassadors is a great show that is both funny and thought-provoking. It is not afraid to tackle big issues, but it does so in a way that is accessible and entertaining. The performances are great, the writing is sharp, and the setting is perfect. It is a shame that the show was cancelled after just one season, as it had the potential to become a classic. Nonetheless, it is definitely worth watching for anyone who enjoys political satire or just likes a good laugh.

Ambassadors is a series that ran for 1 seasons (3 episodes) between October 23, 2013 and on BBC TWO