Season 2 of The Diplomat, released on Netflix on October 31, has captivated audiences with its thrilling political drama, coinciding with the American presidential election. The plot thickens as vice president Grace Penn, played by Allison Janney, becomes embroiled in a scandal involving a devastating attack on a British ship, which she justified to prevent greater chaos. The season culminates in a shocking twist when Grace ascends to the presidency after the current president suffers a fatal heart attack, leaving her as Kate’s formidable opponent.
Warning: Spoilers Ahead! If you haven’t watched Season 2 of The Diplomat and want to avoid plot revelations, it’s best to stop reading now!
Since its release on Netflix on October 31, the second season of The Diplomat has captured viewers’ attention just like its predecessor. Interestingly, the streaming giant launched this season just days before the unpredictable American presidential election.
While we encounter the vice president, Grace Penn, portrayed by Allison Janney, and the president may remind viewers of Joe Biden, it’s important to note that any resemblance to real-life figures is purely coincidental—especially considering the dramatic events that unfold in this season!
How a New Character Shakes Things Up
The second season of The Diplomat almost wrapped up in a typical fashion during the climactic moments of the penultimate episode. Hal (Rufus Sewell) finds himself in a compromising position with Kate (Keri Russell), blocking her from reaching out to Washington about her reluctance to accept the vice presidency, as she wishes for Grace Penn to stay in power.
Had Hal whispered to Kate that the true architect behind the explosion of the British ship, which resulted in the death of around forty sailors, was not the usual suspects like Iran or Russia, but rather her newfound idol, Grace Penn, the vice president of the United States, it would have been a fitting end to the season.
A Season Finale Packed with Thrills
However, The Diplomat, crafted by Debora Cahn, is both a compelling political drama and a riveting thriller that takes the narrative further. After much deliberation over whether Grace Penn is a villain for her actions or a heroine for potentially saving humanity, Hal and Kate conclude that the fate rests with the American government.
Hal heads to CIA headquarters to inform the Secretary of State (Miguel Sandoval) about Grace’s schemes, while Kate confronts Grace in the embassy garden, asserting her desire to fight for the vice presidency and branding her a ‘terrorist‘.
Just then, mission chief Stewart Hayford (Ato Essandoh) rushes onto the lawn with an urgent call from Hal. In a stunning twist, Hal reveals he bypassed the Secretary of State and spoke directly to the president (Michael McKean), who suffered a heart attack upon learning of Grace Penn’s betrayal and died instantly!
This shocking turn of events means that Grace Penn, now Kate’s sworn enemy, is the new president of the United States.
Behind the Scenes of the Shocking Reveal
Ato Essandoh shared his thoughts on this jaw-dropping scene in an interview. He recounted that when he first received the script for episode six, the climactic lawn scene was not included. ‘We reached the reading session‘, he explained, ‘and they revealed the complete script. They warned us: “Don’t look ahead, enjoy the surprise when it comes!”‘
In fact, only Keri Russell and Rufus Sewell were privy to the secret. The rest of the cast was intentionally kept uninformed until the last minute. ‘When we got to that moment, I turned the page and saw the revelation, and everyone was astonished‘, he chuckled, comparing it to iconic moments in theater.
Is Grace Penn the Real Villain?
Interestingly, Debora Cahn did not set out to portray Grace Penn as a traditional villain. She mentioned, ‘There are definitely bad actors out there‘, noting that the series often highlights stories of corrupt leaders. Yet, she posed the question: ‘What if they are all fundamentally good people trying their best for their nation, yet we still find ourselves in turmoil?‘
She expressed her hope that audiences would initially perceive Grace as a villain, only to come to terms with the fact that they might have made similar choices in her position.
Understanding Grace’s Decision to Attack the British Ship
In the final episode, Grace explains her rationale for ordering the attack on the British ship during an intense dinner scene at the Prime Minister’s residence. She reveals that had Britain failed to unite in the face of tragedy and Scotland gained independence, the British base housing the only nuclear submarines capable of protecting the U.S. from potential Russian threats would have been shut down, endangering millions of lives.
Grace took it upon herself to act decisively without informing the president or anyone else, confiding only in those she trusted. As she articulates her reasoning to Kate, she