For Debora Cahn getting to create and run her own Netflix hit series was simple. First, get jobs and spend years writing and producing on iconic shows like The West Wing, Homeland, and Grey’s Anatomy.

Cahn is creator, showrunner, and Executive Producer of Netflix’s The Diplomat which she thinks of as sort of the flip of West Wing, a show she joined in its fourth season and stayed through the finale, with a focus on international affairs rather than domestic politics. Now for its third season it has received more Emmy nominations than ever with seven including two for Cahn – Outstanding Drama Series and Writing in a Drama Series – and it is especially sweet because this reps her first Emmy writing nomination, although she is a past two time WGA Award winner (for “The Supremes” episode of West Wing, as well as writing on the Limited Series, Fosse/Verdon). In all three years of the series, star Keri Russell has been nominated, and the show itself was also up for Drama Series last season too.

Cahn says she has learned from the best, including of course West Wing creator Aaron Sorkin and Grey’s Anatomy creator Sondra Rhimes, the latter show she joined early on in 2006 before leaving in 2013. She also worked under Martin Scorsese and Terence Winter as a writer and co-ep of HBO’s Vinyl, and wrote the TV Movie Paterno starring Al Pacino among other impressive credits.

Cahn joins me for this episode of my Deadline video series, Behind The Lens where we talk about her remarkable career, the upward trajector of The Diplomat at the Emmys, how the show resonates in this upside down political climate and how she keeps it relevant, plus where it is going in the fourth season now underway in the writers room, and so much more including the meeting during the production of Homeland where Cahn jotted down just five words that led to the creation of The Diplomat.

To watch our conversation and to go ‘behind the lens’ with Debora Cahn just click on the link above.

Join me every Monday and Friday this season for a new Behind The Lens and every Wednesday for a new episode of The Actor’s Side.

Comedy Dynamics is set to release Yes, I Am Falafel Phil, a new comedy special from Dan Ahdoot, across Prime Video, Apple TV and other platforms on Tuesday, Aug. 18.

In the special, Ahdoot takes on post-breakup fitness, foodie culture, dating, family and the absurdity of becoming a minor celebrity to children. As he chases adulthood and Hollywood validation, one Disney Channel role keeps following him: Falafel Phil from the show Kickin’ It. Shot live at the New York Comedy Club, the special is about identity, success and accepting the embarrassing version of yourself that everyone else remembers.

“This special is the result of years on the road,” Ahdoot said, “and I’m so excited the world finally gets to see what Falafel Phil has been up to.”

Comedy Dynamics CEO Brian Volk-Weiss told us, “Dan is a multi-talented comedian that’s continuing to rise in comedy. We’re excited to share his hilarious new special with the world.”

A headlining stand-up comic, actor and writer, Ahdoot’s credits in television include Netflix’s Cobra Kai and The Crew and the comedy Bajillion Dollar Propertie$. A frequent guest on The Tonight Show, he’s also been seen in ABC’s Super Fun Night with Rebel Wilson, Comedy Central’s Workaholics and @midnight, and Adult Swim’s Your Pretty Face Is Going to Hell.

Ahdoot wrote the film Public Disturbance for Lionsgate, in addition to the memoir Undercooked, and has developed for television at CBS, ABC, Fox, Hulu and Freeform. He currently co-hosts the podcast Second Thought with Suzy Weiss at The Free Press and is repped by Innovative Artists and Entertainment 360.