Madam Secretary (season 2)

The second season of Madam Secretary an American political drama television series originally aired in the United States on CBS from October 4, 2015, through May 8, 2016. The season was produced by CBS Television Studios, with Barbara Hall as showrunner and executive producer. Debuting on September 21, 2014, the series was renewed for a second season on January 12, 2015. Madam Secretary was renewed for a third season on March 25, 2016.

Madam Secretary
Season 2
DVD cover
Country of origin	United States
No. of episodes	23
Release
Original network	CBS
Original release	October 4, 2015 (2015-10-04) – May 8, 2016 (2016-05-08)
Season chronology

The series follows Elizabeth McCord (Téa Leoni), a former CIA analyst and professor who becomes United States Secretary of State at the behest of President Conrad Dalton (Keith Carradine) after her predecessor is killed in a plane crash. Elizabeth works alongside a dedicated staff, including Nadine Tolliver (Bebe Neuwirth).

Cast and characters

Main

• Téa Leoni as Elizabeth McCord, the U.S. Secretary of State
• Tim Daly as Henry McCord, Elizabeth's husband and an N.S.A. operative
• Keith Carradine as Conrad Dalton, President of the United States
• Erich Bergen as Blake Moran, Elizabeth's personal assistant
• Patina Miller as Daisy Grant, Elizabeth's press coordinator
• Geoffrey Arend as Matt Mahoney, Elizabeth's speechwriter
• Kathrine Herzer as Alison McCord, Elizabeth and Henry's younger daughter
• Evan Roe as Jason McCord, Elizabeth and Henry's son
• Wallis Currie-Wood as Stephanie "Stevie" McCord, Elizabeth and Henry's older daughter
• Željko Ivanek as Russell Jackson, White House Chief of Staff
• Bebe Neuwirth as Nadine Tolliver, Elizabeth's Chief of Staff

Recurring

• Sebastian Arcelus as Jay Whitman, Elizabeth's policy advisor
• Jill Hennessy as Jane Fellows, Henry's former DIA handler and Ishbal Jahed task force member
• Carlos Gómez as Jose Campos, an Ishbal Jahed task force member
• Francis Jue as Chinese Foreign Minister Chen
• Angela Gots as Russian President Maria Ostrov
• Mandy Gonzalez as Lucy Knox, President Dalton's aide

Guests

• Morgan Freeman as Frawley, the Chief Justice of the United States
• Julian Acosta as Craig Sterling[1]
• Madeleine Albright as herself,[2] the first woman U.S. Secretary of State
• Kate Burton as Maureen McCord-Ryan,[3] Henry's sister
• Jane Pauley as herself

Episodes

No. overall	No. in season	Title	Directed by	Written by	Original air date	U.S. viewers (millions)
23	1	"The Show Must Go On"	Morgan Freeman	Barbara Hall	October 4, 2015 (2015-10-04)	11.79[4]
Elizabeth must take the oath of office when the President's plane disappears over the Pacific Ocean. Also, Henry is asked to recruit one of his Russian students to work for the U.S. government by Jane Fellows, his new Defense Intelligence Agency handler.
24	2	"The Doability Doctrine"	Eric Stoltz	David Grae	October 11, 2015 (2015-10-11)	11.15[5]
Elizabeth takes advice from former Secretary of State Madeleine Albright and ignores President Dalton's recommendation on how to negotiate the safe return of a State Department employee who was kidnapped in Afghanistan. Meanwhile, Henry is having trouble persuading a student to spy for the U.S. government.
25	3	"The Rusalka"	Dennie Gordon	Matt Ward	October 18, 2015 (2015-10-18)	9.61[6]
Elizabeth and President Dalton's administration are met with hostility while trying to deal with the Russian government. Also, Dmitri is kidnapped and interrogated about being a Russian spy. Jill Hennessy returns as Jane Fellows, Henry's defense intelligence agency superior.
26	4	"Waiting for Taleju"	Felix Alcalá	Joy Gregory	October 25, 2015 (2015-10-25)	10.81[7]
Elizabeth finds herself pushed out of the President's inner circle after she disagrees with his response to the growing tension with Russia. Also, when incriminating photos of Stevie and Harrison surface, Elizabeth and Henry must deal with the aftermath and try to protect their daughter from the media.
27	5	"The Long Shot"	Rob J. Greenlea	Moira Kirland	November 1, 2015 (2015-11-01)	9.47[8]
In the wake of President Ostrov's death, Elizabeth and President Dalton fear a power grab within the Russian government. Also, the government's Cybersecurity Coordinator Oliver Shaw works to identify the hacker who interfered with the communication system on Air Force One, and Jay devises a plan to fight Russian propaganda.
28	6	"Catch and Release"	Charlotte Brandstrom	Alex Cooley	November 8, 2015 (2015-11-08)	10.59[9]
When an American aid worker is killed in Syria by ISIS, Elizabeth recalls all aid workers stationed there, including her reluctant brother, who is doctor on the front lines.
29	7	"You Say You Want a Revolution"	Tate Donovan	Joan Rater & Tony Phelan	November 15, 2015 (2015-11-15)	10.61[10]
Elizabeth has President Dalton's support when attempting to make history by lifting the Cuban trade embargo. However, she faces a challenge in winning the Senate's support. Meanwhile, Henry and Alison bond while touring Havana together.
30	8	"Lights Out"	Dennie Gordon	Alexander Maggio	November 22, 2015 (2015-11-22)	9.91[11]
Amidst increasing tensions with Russia, Elizabeth, Russell and Mike B. devise a plan to oust National Security Advisor Craig Sterling while at the same time not tarnishing the Office of the President with a scandal. Also, progress is made on identifying the Air Force One hacker.
31	9	"Russian Roulette"	Jonathan Brown	Barbara Hall	November 29, 2015 (2015-11-29)	9.96[12]
With President Dalton considering military action against Russia for the cyber attacks on Air Force One and on the Ukrainian President Mikhail Bozek's plane, and with Elizabeth preparing an address to the United Nations, Henry wrestles with revealing concrete evidence that Russia is not behind the attacks.
32	10	"The Greater Good"	Eric Stoltz	David Grae	December 13, 2015 (2015-12-13)	10.14[13]
After uncovering a secret that could destroy Russian President Maria Ostrov's reputation, Elizabeth and President Dalton travel to Switzerland to confront her and use the information as leverage to find a peaceful solution to the conflict between their countries.
33	11	"Unity Node"	Jet Wilkinson	Matt Ward	January 10, 2016 (2016-01-10)	8.97[14]
Elizabeth tries to salvage a peace deal with Russia after an unexpected turn of events threatens to dissolve the agreement; at the same time, she gets dragged into dealing with an emergency situation aboard the International Space Station.
34	12	"The Middle Way"	James Whitmore Jr.	Lyla Oliver	January 17, 2016 (2016-01-17)	11.87[15]
Elizabeth, to her surprise, is met resistance when she travels to Myanmar to sign a Pacific Rim trade agreement, which will modernize the country's power grid and benefit several of its trading partners. Meanwhile, Nadine attempts to mend her relationship with her estranged son.
35	13	"Invasive Species"	Tony Phelan	Moira Kirland	January 31, 2016 (2016-01-31)	10.20[16]
The death of Henry's father leads the family to uncover some rather shocking secrets that open old wounds for them, leading to a confrontation between Henry and his grieving sister Maureen, who feels her brother should have been home more. Elsewhere, Russell keeps important information from Elizabeth's team at the State Department.
36	14	"Left of the Boom"	Rob Greenlea	Joy Gregory	February 14, 2016 (2016-02-14)	10.06[17]
While Elizabeth oversees a mission to track down the culprits behind a uranium heist in Eastern Europe, she also contends with highly sensitive issues in Saudi Arabia, including the apprehension of two American teenage girls who intended to join a terrorist group that threatens to dismantle an important arms deal.
37	15	"Right of the Boom"	Jonathan Brown	Alexander Maggio	February 21, 2016 (2016-02-21)	10.73[18]
Following a shocking event on U.S. soil, Elizabeth rushes to find answers to President Dalton's many questions about how it was able to occur.
38	16	"Hijriyyah"	Charlotte Brandstrom	Alex Cooley	March 6, 2016 (2016-03-06)	10.19[19]
After an Italian warship answers a distress call from a ship carrying Libyan refugees, Elizabeth is given 20 minutes to decide whether to question a passenger who claims to know the whereabouts of Jibral Disah, the most-wanted terrorist in the world.
39	17	"Higher Learning"	Heather Cappiello	Kelly Jane Costello	March 20, 2016 (2016-03-20)	9.41[20]
While Elizabeth accompanies Alison on a college campus tour, she is ambushed by protestors about a Chilean mining operation involving the U.S. and Chilean governments. Also, Henry, Jane and Jose Campos attempt to track down Jibral Disah's third wife, Hijriyyah.
40	18	"On the Clock"	Zetna Fuentes	Barbara Hall and David Grae	March 27, 2016 (2016-03-27)	8.50[21]
A mysterious plane crash interrupts peace talks between India and Pakistan; Henry tries to get information from one of Disah's wives; Elizabeth undergoes a grueling interview.
41	19	"Desperate Remedies"	Rob Greenlea	Matt Ward	April 10, 2016 (2016-04-10)	9.86[22]
After a member of the inner circle of a terrorist organization falls ill with a deadly virus, Elizabeth attempts to use his weakness to secure the release of a group of schoolgirls that are being held captive.
42	20	"Ghost Detainee"	Charlotte Brandstrom	Moira Kirland	April 17, 2016 (2016-04-17)	9.57[23]
After Elizabeth delivers her first speech to the United Nations General Assembly formally condemning the terrorist group Hizb-al Shahid, she discusses forming a coalition against them with the Russian Foreign Minister. However, the talks create a conflict of interest between Elizabeth and Henry, who is searching for a way to save Dmitri's ill sister, Talia Petrov, from the Russian government.
43	21	"Connection Lost"	Jonathan Brown	Joy Gregory	April 24, 2016 (2016-04-24)	9.57[24]
Henry, Jane and Jose are sent on a dangerous mission when President Dalton gets word that the world's most dangerous terrorist is hiding in Islamabad. Meanwhile, Henry and Elizabeth try out couple counselling.
44	22	"Render Safe"	Felix Alcala	David Grae	May 1, 2016 (2016-05-01)	9.90[25]
The U.S. debates enacting a "render safe" mission to secure nuclear weapons that belong to the failing Pakistani government; at the same time, the terrorist Jibral Disah is pursued by the Murphy Station.
45	23	"Vartius"	Eric Stoltz	Barbara Hall	May 8, 2016 (2016-05-08)	9.99[26]
Elizabeth gets shocking news about a political operative and learns President Dalton may be considering replacing her with a new Secretary of State; Stevie and Jareth get engaged.

Production

Development

Madam Secretary was renewed for a second season on January 12, 2015.[27] Madam Secretary was renewed for a third season on March 25, 2016.[28]

Casting

Madeleine Albright guest role as herself a former Secretary of State,[2] Jill Hennessy joined cast in recurring role as Jane Fellows,[29] Chris Petrovski was cast as a recurring for the second season as Dmitri Petrov,[30]

Broadcast

Season two of Madam Secretary premiered on October 4, 2015.[31]

Ratings

Viewership and ratings per episode of Madam Secretary

No.	Title	Air date	Rating/share (18–49)	Viewers (millions)	DVR (18–49)	DVR viewers (millions)	Total (18–49)	Total viewers (millions)
1	"The Show Must Go On"	October 4, 2015	1.4/4	11.79[4]	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A
2	"The Doability Doctrine"	October 11, 2015	1.5/4	11.15[5]	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A
3	"The Rusalka"	October 18, 2015	1.2/3	9.61[6]	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A
4	"Waiting for Taleju"	October 25, 2015	1.3/4	10.81[7]	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A
5	"The Long Shot"	November 1, 2015	1.1/3	9.47[8]	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A
6	"Catch and Release"	November 8, 2015	1.3/4	10.59[9]	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A
7	"You Say You Want a Revolution"	November 15, 2015	1.4/4	10.61[10]	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A
8	"Lights Out"	November 22, 2015	1.1/3	9.91[11]	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A
9	"Russian Roulette"	November 29, 2015	1.3/3	9.96[12]	0.3	2.41	1.6	12.37[32]
10	"The Greater Good"	December 13, 2015	1.3/4	10.14[13]	N/A	2.14	N/A	12.28[33]
11	"Unity Node"	January 10, 2016	1.0/3	8.97[14]	0.5	2.54	1.5	11.51[34]
12	"The Middle Way"	January 17, 2016	2.0/6	11.87[15]	0.6	2.70	2.6	14.56[35]
13	"Invasive Species"	January 31, 2016	1.1/3	10.20[16]	N/A	2.15	N/A	12.35[36]
14	"Left of the Boom"	February 14, 2016	1.2/4	10.06[17]	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A
15	"Right of the Boom"	February 21, 2016	1.2/4	10.73[18]	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A
16	"Hijriyyah"	March 6, 2016	1.1/4	10.19[19]	N/A	2.31	N/A	12.51[37]
17	"Higher Learning"	March 20, 2016	1.1/3	9.41[20]	N/A	2.17	N/A	11.58[38]
18	"On the Clock"	March 27, 2016	1.0/3	8.50[21]	N/A	2.37	N/A	10.87[39]
19	"Desperate Remedies"	April 10, 2016	1.1/4	9.86[22]	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A
20	"Ghost Detainee"	April 17, 2016	0.9/3	9.57[23]	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A
21	"Connection Lost"	April 24, 2016	1.0/3	9.57[24]	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A
22	"Render Safe"	May 1, 2016	1.0/4	9.90[25]	N/A	2.00	N/A	11.94[40]
23	"Vartius"	May 8, 2016	1.0/4	9.99[26]	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A

Home media

The DVD release of season two is set to be released in Region 1 on September 13, 2016.

The Complete Second Season
Set details			Special features
23 episodes 995 minutes (Region 1) 6-disc set 1.78:1 aspect ratio Languages: English (Dolby Digital 5.1) Subtitles: English (Region 1)			Under Surveillance: The Making of Madam Secretary Madam Secretary at the Politico Playbook Panel Deleted Scenes Gag Reel
Release dates
United States	United Kingdom	Australia
September 13, 2016[41]	September 26, 2016[42]	October 26, 2016[43]

References

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2. Snierson, Dan (July 14, 2015). "Madeleine Albright on Madam Secretary: Former Secretary of State guest-starring on Tea Leoni CBS drama". Entertainment Weekly.
3. Stanhope, Kate (December 9, 2015). "Madam Secretary Casts Scandal Favorite as Henry's Sister". The Hollywood Reporter.
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