WARNING: SPOILERS ahead for The Diplomat season 2.
United States Vice President Grace Penn is the most notable additionto the cast ofThe Diplomatseason 2 and has a major impact on the narrative from season 1. Keri Russell leads thecast ofThe Diplomatseason 2along withRufus Sewell as her husband Hal, David Gyasi as Foreign Secretary Austin Dennison, Ali Ahn as CIA operative Eidra Park, and Rory Kinnear as Prime Minister Nicol Trowbridge. The series picks up after the events ofThe Diplomatseason 1’s ending, which left the lives of Hal, Ato Essandoh’s Stuart, and Jess Chanliau’s Ronnie up in the air.
The Diplomatwas created by Debora Chan (The West Wing,Grey’s Anatomy,Homeland). Lead actress Keri Russell received an Emmy nomination for her role as U.S. Ambassador Kate Wyler inThe Diplomatseason 1. The series introduces a handful of new characters while narrowing its focus on those responsible for thecar explosion that killed Merritt Groveand the missile attack on the HMS Courageous, two of thebiggest curveballs ofThe Diplomatseason 1. AsThe Diplomatseason 2 plays out, both Kate and Hal edge closer tothe truth about Roman Lenkov and the government officials behind the false flag operation.
All 6 episodes ofThe Diplomatseason 2 are now available exclusively on Netflix.
Who Plays Grace Penn In The Diplomat?
Oscar & 7-time Emmy winner Allison Janney
InThe Diplomatseason 2, United States Vice President Grace Penn is played by Allison Janney. Although Penn does not appear until the final two episodes ofThe Diplomatseason 2, she undoubtedly and rapidly becomes the most integral character of the entire series. She is referenced throughoutThe Diplomatseason 1 and the first four episodes of season 2 but is not shown onscreen until season 2, episode 5 titled “Our Lady of Immaculate Deception.” U.S. Ambassador Kate Wyler is nervous to meet her and soon learns thatPenn is an experienced heavy hitter with unknown skin in the complex game of international diplomacy.
The Diplomat Season 2 Interview: Keri Russell & Rufus Sewell Hash Out Their Differing Perspectives On Playing Politics
The Diplomat stars Keri Russell and Rufus Sewell break down Hal’s idea about “the cost of doing business” and Kate’s reaction to it in season 2.
Oscar and Emmy winner Allison Janney portrays the formidable and dangerous U.S. Vice President Grace Penn. Janney won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress in 2018 forI, Tonyastarring Margot Robbie.Janney is also a 7-time Emmy Award winner, winning Best Supporting Actress for her role as C. J. Cregg inThe West Wing(2000, 2001, 2002, 2004) as well as Best Guest Actress in 2014 forMaster of Sexand Best Supporting Actress in 2014 and 2015 for playing Bonnie on the CBS sitcomMom. Janney’s notable film credits includeThe Help(2011),Juno(2007),The Hours(2002),Spy(2015), andHairspray(2007).
Grace Penn’s Connection To Roylin & The HMS Courageous Attack
Penn enlisted Roylin and Members of Parliament to hire Roman Lenkov
The most shocking twist inThe Diplomatseason 2 is that U.S. Vice President Grace Penn was behind the attack on the HMS Courageous. Hal initially discovers this intel from Margaret Roylin, who is in on the elaborate false flag operation as well. Roylin was the one who, along with British Members of Parliament Merritt Grove and Lenny Stendig, hired Russian mercenary Roman Lenkov to attack the HMS Courageous.The attack was intended to inflict minor damage and was not supposed to result in British casualties. Due to supply issues, the Lenkov Group had to use more powerful explosives from a submarine missile.
Who Set Off The Car Bomb & Killed Merritt Grove In The Diplomat
The brand new episodes of The Diplomat season 2 finally answer who planted the car bomb that killed Merritt Grove in the explosive season 1 finale.
Kate doesn’t find out that U.S. Vice President Grace Penn was the one who enlisted Margaret Roylin to attack the HMS Courageous in the first place until the final moment ofThe Diplomatepisode 5. Kate had assumed that Roylin was either acting independently or following orders from Prime Minister Nicol Trowbirdge for the benefit of the United Kingdom, finding a common enemy with neighboring Scotland in the form of Iran or Russia. It turns out that Roylin hadn’t orchestrated the attack through Lenkov solely for the purpose of Trowbridge’s political gain but as a favor toVice President Penn, who sought to thwart Scotland’s independence.
Grace Penn’s Plan Explained: Save Scotland, Save The World
Hal spills the beans to Vice President Penn that Kate knows the truth about the HMS Courageous attack during a diplomatic dinner inThe Diplomatseason 2 finale. With little time to waste, Vice President Penn pulls Kate away from the dinner and explains her geopolitical strategy using a large paper map of the world and an ember from the fireplace. V.P. Penn breaks down her reasoning for authorizing the attack on the HMS Courageous and enlisting Margaret Roylin to hire Roman Lenkov quite simply for Kate. She draws out the increase in Russian nuclear bases in recent years that makethe United States most vulnerable to a Russian attack from the Arctic region.
Who Is Ronnie In The Diplomat?
Ronnie played an integral role as Stuart & Kate’s aide in The Diplomat season 1 and was directly impacted by the explosion that killed Merritt Grove.
Vice President Penn wanted to make sure that the Creagan nuclear base in Scotland couldn’t shut down due to the threat of Scottish independence. The Creagan nuclear base is the final geographical point that the United States could use to detect an incoming nuclear threat from a Russian submarine in the Arctic region. Without the Creagon nuclear base, the United States would become much more vulnerable to a nuclear threat via submarine from Russia. As a result,Vice President Penn staged an event that would unify Scotland and Englandto eliminate the threat of Scotland becoming an independent nation and shutting the base down.
Grace Penn Becomes President At The End Of The Diplomat Season 2
The shocking news about V.P. Penn upsets the President to the point of death
Although Kate discovers the Vice President’s plan by the end ofThe Diplomatseason 2, she and Hal are unable to keep quiet knowing that Penn went around the President to authorize the attack on the HMS Courageous. Hal says he will speak to Secretary of State Miguel Ganon, who he has a rocky relationship with and who has the Cabinet position that Hal secretly wants. Instead, Hal speaks directly to President Rayburn over a secure line at the Embassy of London, telling him the truth about the Vice President, Margaret Roylin, and Roman Lenkov.This upsets President Rayburn, who was known to have heart issues, so much that it kills him.
The Diplomat Season 3: Cast, Story & Everything We Know
Netflix’s political thriller The Diplomat returned for its second season in late 2024, and now the streamer has renewed the series for season 3.
Kate finally decides that she wants to become Vice President by the end ofThe Diplomatseason 2, only to realize that the seat she thought would be vacant may no longer be available.Because of President Rayburn’s sudden death, Vice President Penn has become President Penn, which is why dozens of Secret Service members are shown running out to her at the end of the episode. Penn’s final words to Kate as Vice President are to keep the truth concealed for both of their sake. Penn takes a very stern tone with Kate, revealing a side that has yet to be seen. Now that Penn will be the President of the United States at the start ofThe Diplomatseason 3, she could set her sights on ending Kate’s career and silencing her as she did Merritt Grove.
The Diplomat
Cast
Set within the high-stakes world of international diplomacy, The Diplomat follows the challenges and intricacies faced by an ambassador as they navigate complex geopolitical landscapes. The series explores the delicate balance between personal and professional responsibilities amidst global tensions and the pursuit of peace.
