This article contains spoilers for The Diplomat Season 4.

With The Diplomat back for Season 4, the political maneuvering is messier, the personal loyalties are shakier, and just about everyone in Washington (and London) seems to have an agenda of their own. As Kate Wyler finds herself caught between her principles and the administration she’s working for, the people around her are forced to decide just how far they’re willing to go to hold on to power — and perhaps when it’s finally time to walk away.

Some characters rise to the occasion, others reveal just how much their egos get in the way, and a few make you wonder how they landed in government in the first place. So, with alliances shifting, tempers flaring, and plenty of shocking moments leaving us desperate for another season, let’s rank the major characters of Season 4 in this epic political thriller.

10

Grace Penn

Let’s be honest: Grace Penn (Allison Janney) was a problem before she even became the president. In previous seasons, she was clearly willing to manipulate events to protect her ambitions, and Season 4 simply showed what happens when those instincts are met with ultimate power. Of course, much of this was heightened given that she survived an assassination attempt, as from then on, Grace leaned into her aggression — especially when it came to her geopolitical strategies.

From orchestrating the HMS Courageous plot, covertly stealing the nuclear Poseidon, and threatening to ruthlessly attack her own nation’s allies, Grace is a character who has weaponized her fear of vulnerability. The more people question her judgment, the harder she lashes out and doubles down, until even her closest advisers can no longer defend her decisions. Her marriage isn’t much healthier either, as she keeps Todd at arm’s length and often dismisses his concerns with spite. More awards need to be given to Janney, as she brilliantly showcases the dangers of unchecked political power.

9

Nicol Trowbridge

Yes, Nicol Trowbridge (Rory Kinnear) has never been the most measured politician. Pompous, narcissistic, and wildly volatile, the British Prime Minister seems like the last person you’d expect to show any meaningful growth in Season 4. But grieving the loss of Austin Dennison (David Gyasi) forces Trowbridge to confront the consequences of his own behavior, even as the Poseidon crisis threatens to expose his past crimes. And while he remains as theatrical as ever (just look at that bizarrely operatic sequence), something shifts: rather than fighting tooth and nail to cling to power, he ultimately chooses to relinquish it.

Of course, Trowbridge can’t resist turning his resignation into one last grand spectacle as he uses the opportunity to deliver a pointed and creatively veiled insult to the Americans. Yes, some things never change. But for a man who has spent so much time putting his ego ahead of his country, acknowledging that his time is up is a surprisingly significant step. That said, never forget that he’s hardly a model of political integrity. We’re happy to see him go.

8

Todd Penn

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Todd Penn (Bradley Whitford) has never seemed entirely comfortable being known simply as the president’s husband, and Season 4 makes that awkwardness even more apparent. Sent over to London to supposedly become a special envoy, it’s clear this move was done not only to give him a purpose but also to keep him occupied as Grace deals with crises at home. And while he seems to bumble around from room to room, many can see he’s just trying to do his best. After all, he’s kind of being dragged along in this political ride.

Is he a charming man? Yes. Is he a supportive husband? Absolutely. And we can see this as he grew increasingly concerned about Grace’s behavior after the assassination attempt. He was one of the few people willing to outright confront Grace over her growing erraticism. That said, his unwavering loyalty to her is also a little unnerving. Even when she uses him to deliver a threat to the new British Prime Minister — a job he is spectacularly ill-suited for — he continues to support her wholeheartedly. It’s a great trait for a life partner but not for an advisor whose leader is steering their country into a major global conflict. Sorry, Todd.

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