The Diplomat creator reveals real reason Trowbridge resigns after Austin Dennison’s death

Netflix’s The Diplomat has made some major changes to the British government in season 4, with Prime Minister Nicol Trowbridge stepping down shortly after the death of Foreign Secretary Austin Dennison, so here’s why Trowbridge resigns, and how does he actually feel about losing someone he has worked with for years?

Played by Rory Kinnear, Trowbridge has been a major part of the political drama since season 1. He’s unpredictable, often difficult to work with, and has had a complicated relationship with American ambassador Kate Wyler.

However, season 4 puts him in a very different position. Austin dies in a helicopter crash while on an assignment in India, and Kate later uses information about Trowbridge’s past to threaten him. Soon afterwards, the British Prime Minister resigns in a dramatic episode that also sees him hallucinating, wearing royal costumes and singing an aria.

So, what actually pushes Trowbridge to resign in The Diplomat, and does Austin’s death play a part in his decision? Here’s what Kinnear and showrunner Debora Cahn have said.

Why does Trowbridge resign in The Diplomat Season 4?

Trowbridge’s resignation comes in episode 4, after Kate confronts him with information about Margaret Roylin, his former adviser who died in Season 3. Roylin was involved in the carrier ship attack that set the events of the series in motion. When Trowbridge learnt what she had done, he tried to kill her, and Kate threatens to expose his actions to the newly appointed British Foreign Secretary, Robyn Palmer. Kate’s decision to confront him is actually Hal Wyler’s idea. Although she initially resists his aggressive approach, she eventually follows his advice.

Speaking to The Hollywood Reporter, Keri Russell explained why Kate makes the threat personal. “I just think [Trowbridge] makes her crazy. I think he pushed her buttons,” she said. “He knew how to get her riled up and make it personal, and it’s too fresh. She’s doing something she doesn’t want to do anyway. She doesn’t believe in it, and then he’s attacking her when she hasn’t processed something.”

Kinnear also explained that Trowbridge knows how damaging the new information could be, particularly when it comes to his relationship with America.

“I think knowing how compromised he would be, particularly in his relationship with America, and how complicated he had been with that, with this new information in their hands, I think he knew: There’s nothing I can do without feeling I’ll be limping on,” he said.

Kinnear added, “I won’t be able to do it with the gusto that I feel like I’ve been able to operate for as long as he has been prime minister.”

Basically, Trowbridge realises that staying in office could mean continuing with his authority and reputation seriously damaged. Rather than struggle on in a position where he no longer feels in control, he decides to step away.

Debora Cahn explained the real reason behind Trowbridge’s exit

Showrunner Debora Cahn also explained that Trowbridge’s departure was part of a bigger plan to change the political dynamics of the series.

She said, “By the time we got to this season, Rory had been prime minister for a period of time where the actual U.K. had like five different people at 10 Downing Street. And it felt like there was this essential part of being a diplomat, which is that you’re always learning the cast of characters from scratch. You either outlast the people that you’re working with, or you’re sent to a different country.”

She continued, “And I wanted to see our team going through the struggle of just when you think you know where the ground is under your feet, it completely changes. You’ve built all these relationships, and suddenly you have nothing.”

Cahn also wanted to explore how Kate’s relationship with a difficult political figure might change once that person is no longer around.

“I also really wanted to play with the dynamic of like, you think you’re working with somebody who’s difficult and they’re the problem, and then they leave, and it turns out you were the problem or both of you were the problem,” she explained.

How does Trowbridge feel about Austin Dennison’s death?

Austin’s death is another major reason Trowbridge decides to resign, according to Kinnear. When asked how Trowbridge felt about losing Austin, the actor explained just how important both Austin and Roylin had been to the Prime Minister. “That’s, I think, definitely another reason that pushes him towards the resignation,” Kinnear said.

He continued, “They had come up together. They had been adversaries together, but they had found a use for each other as well in the highest echelons of politics. So, to have lost Roylin, to then lose Dennison. Those were the good cop and bad cop on his shoulder, or the devil and the angel on his shoulder, throughout his time.”

He added, “Lydia obviously provides some support, ballast and encouragement, determination for him. But without Dennison and without Roylin, there was there was an instability to how he saw himself.”

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