Warning: Spoilers ahead! This article reveals important details from the Season 2 finale of “The Diplomat.”

The Wylers seem to have a knack for unfortunate timing when it comes to sharing critical news with world leaders.

In Netflix’s dramatic political series “The Diplomat,” the main couple frequently finds themselves in serious discussions with influential figures who unpredictably expire during these meetings. Following the shocking turn of events in the Season 2 finale, things are expected to become even more intense.

The latest episodes of “The Diplomat,” which premiered on Thursday, focus on U.S. Ambassador to the U.K. Kate Wyler (Keri Russell) and her husband, former foreign service agent Hal (Rufus Sewell), as they navigate a crisis following an attack on a British aircraft carrier. By the finale, U.S. Vice President Grace Penn (Allison Janney) gets involved, raising questions about whether she intends to assist or obstruct Kate.

Here’s a recap of the dramatic finale and its implications for the upcoming third season (which is currently in production).

What Transpired in the Season 2 Finale of ‘The Diplomat’?

During the season, Kate, Hal, and CIA station chief Eidra Park (Ali Ahn) uncover that the assault on the British HMS Courageous was a covert operation orchestrated by Conservative party strategist Margaret Roylin (Celia Imrie). However, Roylin opts to divulge the names of her accomplices only to Hal, knowing he’s not an official U.S. government representative, but he eventually shares the details with Kate. It turns out that the true mastermind is none other than Vice President Penn.

Amidst the chaos, Penn arrives in London, skillfully persuading British Prime Minister Nicol Trowbridge (Rory Kinnear) to keep the treacherous plot a secret. She charms Trowbridge so effectively that he appears to convince U.S. President William Rayburn (Michael McKean) to reconsider his decision to oust Grace from the administration, favoring Kate for the position instead.

However, after Trowbridge puts both Kate and Hal in an uncomfortable position during a formal dinner with Grace and other officials, they confront Grace with their knowledge of her involvement in the attack. Grace then takes Kate aside, using an oddly humorous presentation to claim that the attack was devised to thwart Scottish Independence, which threatened U.S. nuclear defense in the North Atlantic, stating that her actions were aimed at preventing a potential war with Russia.

Kate grapples with this new revelation and ultimately decides that Hal should report to the secretary of state to allow higher authorities to manage the situation. But Hal, defying orders, goes straight to President Rayburn, who is so shocked by the news that he collapses during a Zoom call. Hal then races through the U.S. Embassy, seeking out Kate, who is engaged in a tense conversation with Grace about keeping their mouths shut.

The episode concludes with Secret Service agents sprinting toward Grace and Kate at the ambassador’s residence as Hal frantically shouts into the phone: “Grace Penn is president of the United States!”

What Lies Ahead for ‘The Diplomat’ in Season 3?

With Grace now in the presidential seat and only Kate, Hal, and Margaret Roylin aware of her responsibility for the deaths of 41 British sailors, the political atmosphere is bound to be anything but serene.

It’s likely that tensions will rise significantly. Kate and Hal have positioned themselves as adversaries of the most powerful individual in the world, but they also hold significant leverage against her. The vice presidency is vacant, and Kate had shown interest in that role, but Grace definitely won’t entertain the idea of appointing her now. Additionally, this political scenario doesn’t seem plausible in a fictional setting—having both the president and vice president be women seems unlikely.

Will Kate continue as ambassador? Could Hal secure a role in international diplomacy? Will U.K. Foreign Minister Austin Dennison (David Gyasi) mend fences with Kate? And can Kate and Hal’s marriage withstand these political upheavals?

At the very least, we can expect Allison Janney to return as President Grace Penn, and more of her talent is never unwelcome, even when she’s portraying an antagonist.