‘The Diplomat’ season two ending explained: what happens to Kate Wyler?

Keri Russell plays a US ambassador in Netflix series The Diplomat.

Created by Debora Cahn, the political drama follows Kate Wyler (Russell) as she becomes the new US ambassador for the United Kingdom, all while juggling her deteriorating marriage with fellow diplomat Hal (Rufus Sewell).

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Other cast members include David Gyasi, Ali Ahn, Rory Kinnear, Ato Essandoh, Allison Janney, Adrienne Warren, and Pearl Mackie.

Russell’s performance in the series has earned her several Best Actress nominations at the Emmys, Screen Actors Guild Awards, and the Golden Globes.

What happens in The Diplomat season 2 finale?

After Kate Wyler (Keri Russell) discovers US vice president Grace Penn (Allison Janney) was the person who came up with the idea to hire a mercenary to attack a British warship, Kate confronts her over the situation during a formal dinner.

Grace attempts to explain to Kate her decision behind the attack, which put a stop to the Scottish independence movement. Using a map of the world, Grace argues the quickest way Russia can penetrate US naval defences is by heading to the North Atlantic Ocean. A nuclear submarine base in Scotland, called Creegan, is the last place where the US can detect a Russian submarine before it enters the Atlantic.

As such, the British warship attack was designed to unite the UK and stop Scotland from achieving independence, because the base would have been closed down if the movement, which was opposed to nuclear weapons and English interference, was successful.

While Kate is more understanding of Grace’s decision despite the lives it cost, she still doesn’t believe she made the right call. Following a discussion with her husband Hal, Kate agrees with him that they should tell secretary of state Miguel Ganon (Miguel Sandoval) about Grace’s role in the attack.

Hal is the one who decides to make the call to preserve Kate’s integrity, but instead of contacting Ganon, he decides to call the US president instead.

Kate and Grace are later seen having a chat on the lawn at Winfield House, where the former claims she doesn’t want the job of vice president, but she will serve if the president asks her to. Kate also tells Grace that she won’t tell anybody about her role in the attack.

Moments later, Kate receives a call from Hal who tells her that he called the president about Grace’s involvement in the attack. Hal states the president “got really upset” during the call and died, presumably from a heart attack.

As a group of Secret Service members rush across the lawn to Grace, Hal tells Kate over the phone: “The president is dead. Grace Penn is president.”

Is season 3 happening?

Netflix renewed The Diplomat for a third season just weeks prior to the release of season two in October 2024.

Production on the third season has already begun in London and New York. Speaking about the renewal, show creator Debora Cahn said: “After an amazing summer shooting in the UK, we brought London home to NY. Best of both worlds – filming in Brooklyn. We love doing this. We’re so excited to get to keep going.”

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