Watch Diplomatic Immunity

Diplomatic Immunity is a New Zealand sitcom that premiered in 2009. The show follows the daily lives of staff at the fictional consulate of the tropical island country in New Zealand, the "Mazda Consulate". The series unfolds as the motorcade carrying the Zimbabwean president nearly crashes into the consulate gates. The resulting confusion leads to the mistaken identity of the new ambassador: Leighton Mills (played by Craig Parker), a petty con-man who gets himself appointed as an envoy.

Leighton Mills is assigned with his wife Carla Mills (played by Nathalie Boltt) to the Mazda Consulate, a position they take on as a couple who are out to live the high life. Leighton's first task as ambassador is to commission a new town clock to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the embassy, a project that quickly spirals out of control due to a lack of funds and poor project management.

Alongside the Mills, the show stars other employees of the Mazda Consulate, including the exuberant ambassador's aide, Graeme (played by David Fane), and the snooty senior consul, Rochelle (played by Lesley-Ann Brandt). Graeme is tasked with dealing with the many bizarre and outrageous situations involving the ambassador and his naive wife, Carla, who hopes to profit off her husband's newfound status as a diplomat. Rochelle, on the other hand, takes her role as a senior consul very seriously and tries her best to reign in the bumbling ambassador and his wife.

The show is a lively comedy that thrives on the strong performances of its cast members. The script is full of witty one-liners prompted by the characters' hapless misadventures, which makes for an engaging viewing experience. Diplomatic Immunity revolves around the absurdity of small-town politics and the demands of diplomacy, as seen through the eyes of the unruly staff of the Mazda Consulate.

Throughout the series, the audience is entertained by a series of madcap events, such as Graeme's attempts to set up a cricket match between the embassy and the local community or Rochelle's grumbling about how the ambassador's antics are endangering the Mazda Consulate's reputation. Additionally, Leighton, who is portrayed as a schemer, is often seen indulging in his fantasies and daydreams of grandeur or in his plot to scam anyone he can, all the while Carla tries her best to fit in and make friends with the other diplomats' wives - often with disastrous consequences.

The sitcom draws on many classic elements of the genre, including exaggerated characters and situations, constant misunderstandings, and the various schemes that Leighton and Carla come up with to enrich themselves. The show also makes use of physical comedy, with David Fane's energetic performance as Graeme providing many of the show's slapstick moments.

All in all, Diplomatic Immunity is a fun and light-hearted sitcom that offers a unique take on the world of diplomacy. It is an entertaining series that offers much in the way of laughs and a few surprises along the way. The show boasts a talented and engaging cast, with excellent comic timing and an evident passion for their respective roles. The show only ran for one season, but it's a cult classic that remains a beloved gem of New Zealand television.

Diplomatic Immunity is a series that is currently running and has 1 seasons (13 episodes). The series first aired on October 30, 2009.