Bijan Daneshmand Joins the Cast of Netflix's 'The Diplomat'

LOS ANGELES, Calif. – Acclaimed actor Bijan Daneshmand has joined the cast of Netflix’s “The Diplomat,” which is now streaming.

“I’m pleased to be a part of such a compelling and engaging television series,” Daneshmand said. “Simon Cellan Jones, who directed, is very talented and capable. It was a pleasure working with him as he was very confident and comfortable; he knew what he wanted.”

The series follows the story of Kate Wyler (Keri Russell), a career diplomat, who in the midst of an international crisis, lands in a high-profile job for which she is not suited, with tectonic implications for her marriage and her political future.

In the series, the Iran-born actor plays the role of Rasoul Shahin, the deputy foreign minister of Iran, who becomes embroiled in intrigue as he works opposite series co-star Rufus Sewell who plays Hal Wyler.

“I was pleased to see that they wanted an Iranian that spoke English fluently, may have been Western educated and had relatively reasonable in his views,” he said. “I don't like stereotyping people of countries or races. I believe there is no one totally good or totally bad, regardless of their race, color, religion and so on. So, the challenge I had was, here was playing as a man working at a high level in the foreign ministry, in a regime that I am personally critical of.”

Having played a variety of roles over the years ranging from dedicated doctor and villain to doting fathers and idealistic teachers, Daneshmand found the role of foreign diplomat particularly interesting.

“More than any area, I enjoy acting in projects dealing with social issues, conflict, identity and more,” he said. “My approach to this role and others is if the script is well written one can identify traits for the character, but finding out the intentions of the characters is also important, what they want, seek, and what drives them.”

Daneshmand’s previous work includes such films as Steven Spielberg’s acclaimed “Munich,” Universal Pictures’ “Green Zone,” the memorable horror film “Under the Shadow,” and others. His television work includes the Fox drama “Deep State,” HBO’s “The House of the Dragon,” and the acclaimed BBC dramas “The Night Manager,” and “Eastenders,” among others.