When Netflix brought The Diplomat back for a fourth season, there was only one Australian city for the launch. We transformed Palace Electric Cinema in NewActon into a world of quiet negotiations and open bars, with POLITICO as event partner and a guest list drawn from both houses.

Every detail took its cue from the series. A custom media wall in deep navy panelling with raised acrylic lettering, lit like an embassy stateroom. Desk flags of the United States, United Kingdom and Australia on every cocktail table. Florals in diplomatic colours, branded popcorn ready for the screening, and in every guest’s hand the Diplomat itself: a vermouth aperitif first published in the Savoy Cocktail Book in 1930. Then the lights went down in Cinema 4 for the first episode of the new season.

Client: Netflix
Year: 2026
Venue: Palace Electric Cinema, NewActon
Format: Cocktail reception, formalities and launch screening
Audience: Invited guests of Netflix and POLITICO

What we delivered

• Event concept and styling drawn from the series’ visual world
• Custom-built media wall with raised acrylic lettering and gallery lighting
• Floral design in the show’s red, white and blue palette, from sculptural anthuriums to sea holly
• The Diplomat cocktail, served in cut crystal coupes
• Custom popcorn boxes and coasters carrying the Netflix, The Diplomat and POLITICO marks
• Cocktail table vignettes with international desk flags and single-stem florals
• Branded lectern and entry signage, speech staging and AV
• Venue logistics and run of show with Palace Cinemas, through to the Cinema 4 screening

An embassy after hours.

The custom media wall set the tone at the door: navy panelling, raised acrylic lettering, picture lights overhead and florals flanking it like a state portrait waiting to happen. Guests knew which world they were walking into.

A cocktail with provenance.

We didn’t invent a drink for the night, we found the real one. The Diplomat has sat in the Savoy Cocktail Book since 1930, and 150 of them waited in cut crystal with a lemon twist. The kind of detail this audience notices.

Florals with a security clearance.

Red roses and anthuriums against blue delphinium and sea holly, arranged loose and sculptural. The palette belonged to the show’s flags without ever feeling like bunting.

Lights down, season four up.

Popcorn boxes branded on all four sides went in with the guests as Cinema 4 ran the first episode of the new season, the one launch moment no styling can compete with.