The third season of '' Madam Secretary'', an American

political drama A political drama can describe a play, film or TV program that has a political component, whether reflecting the author's political opinion, or describing a politician or series of political events. Dramatists who have written political dramas in ...

television series, originally aired on

CBS CBS Broadcasting Inc., commonly shortened to CBS, the abbreviation of its former legal name Columbia Broadcasting System, is an American commercial broadcast television and radio network serving as the flagship property of the CBS Entertainmen ...

from October 2, 2016, through May 21, 2017. The season was produced by

CBS Television Studios CBS Studios, Inc. is an American television production company which is a subsidiary of CBS Entertainment Group unit of Paramount Global. It was formed on January 17, 2006, by CBS Corporation as CBS Paramount Television, as a renaming of the o ...

, with Barbara Hall as

showrunner A showrunner (or colloquially a helmer) is the top-level executive producer of a television series production who has creative and management authority through combining the responsibilities of employer and, in comedy or dramas, typically also th ...

and executive producer. ''Madam Secretary'' was renewed for a third season on March 25, 2016. The series follows Elizabeth McCord (

Téa Leoni Téa Leoni (; born Elizabeth Téa Pantaleoni; February 25, 1966) is an American actress. In her early career, she starred in the television sitcoms '' Flying Blind'' (1992–93) and ''The Naked Truth'' (1995–98). Her breakthrough role was in t ...

), the

United States Secretary of State The United States secretary of state is a member of the executive branch of the federal government of the United States and the head of the U.S. Department of State. The office holder is one of the highest ranking members of the president's Ca ...

who, alongside President Conrad Dalton (

Keith Carradine Keith Ian Carradine ( ; born August 8, 1949) is an American actor who has had success on stage, film, and television. He is known for his roles as Tom Frank in Robert Altman's film ''Nashville'', Wild Bill Hickok in the HBO series '' Deadwood ...

) and a dedicated staff led by Nadine Tolliver (

Bebe Neuwirth Beatrice "Bebe" Jane Neuwirth ( ; born December 31, 1958) is an American actress, singer, and dancer. On television, she played Dr. Lilith Sternin, Frasier Crane's wife, on both the TV sitcom ''Cheers'' (in a starring role) and its spin-off ''F ...

), is instrumental in the shaping of a U.S. foreign policy. McCord is married to Henry (

Tim Daly James Timothy Daly (born March 1, 1956) is an American actor. He is known for his role as Joe Hackett on the NBC sitcom ''Wings'' and his voice role as Clark Kent/Superman in '' Superman: The Animated Series'', as well as his recurring role as ...

), a religious scholar and NSA handler.

Cast and characters

Main

as Elizabeth McCord, the

as Henry McCord, Elizabeth's husband and a

National Security Agency The National Security Agency (NSA) is a national-level intelligence agency of the United States Department of Defense, under the authority of the Director of National Intelligence (DNI). The NSA is responsible for global monitoring, collecti ...

operative *

as Conrad Dalton,

President of the United States The president of the United States (POTUS) is the head of state and head of government of the United States of America. The president directs the executive branch of the federal government and is the commander-in-chief of the United Stat ...

Erich Bergen Erich Bergen (born December 31, 1985) is an American actor, singer and presenter, best known for his roles as Bob Gaudio in the biographical musical drama film ''Jersey Boys'' and as Blake Moran in the CBS television series '' Madam Secretary''. ...

as Blake Moran, Elizabeth's

personal assistant A personal assistant, also referred to as personal aide (PA) or personal secretary (PS), is a job title describing a person who assists a specific person with their daily business or personal task,. it is a sub-specialty of secretarial duties ...

Patina Miller Patina Renea Miller is an American actress and singer. Miller's breakout role was as originating the role of disco diva wannabe Deloris Van Cartier in the 2009 West End and 2011 Broadway productions of ''Sister Act'' for which she earned a Lauren ...

as Daisy Grant, Elizabeth's press coordinator *

Geoffrey Arend Geoffrey Rashid Arend (born February 28, 1978) is an American film, television, voice and theater actor. He is best known for his role as List of Body of Proof characters#Ethan Gross, Ethan Gross on the American Broadcasting Company, ABC drama ser ...

as Matt Mahoney, Elizabeth's

speechwriter A speechwriter is a person who is hired to prepare and write speeches that will be delivered by another person. Speechwriters are employed by many senior-level elected officials and executives in the government and private sectors. They can also be ...

Sebastian Arcelus Sebastian Arcelus (born November 5, 1976) is an American actor, best known for his roles as Lucas Goodwin in the Netflix TV series ''House of Cards'' (2013–2016) and Jay Whitman in the CBS TV series '' Madam Secretary'' (2014–2019). Arcelus ...

as Jay Whitman, Elizabeth's

policy advisor Political consulting is a form of consulting that consists primarily of advising and assisting political campaigns. Although the most important role of political consultants is arguably the development and production of mass media (largely tele ...

* Katherine Herzer as Alison McCord, Elizabeth and Henry's younger daughter *

Evan Roe Evan Christopher Roe (born February 9, 2000) is an American actor. He is best known for his portrayal of Jason McCord on the CBS political drama series '' Madam Secretary.'' Career Roe began his career as a child actor, appearing in a 2012 e ...

as Jason McCord, Elizabeth and Henry's son *

Wallis Currie-Wood Wallis Currie-Wood (born December 12, 1991) is an American actress. She played Stephanie "Stevie" McCord in the CBS drama '' Madam Secretary''. Early years Wallis Currie-Wood was born December 12, 1991 in Austin, Texas. Career Before attendi ...

as Stephanie "Stevie" McCord, Elizabeth and Henry's older daughter *

Željko Ivanek Željko Ivanek (né Šimić-Ivanek; ; ; born August 15, 1957) is an American actor, known for his role as Ray Fiske on ''Damages'', for which he won a Primetime Emmy Award. Ivanek is also known for his role of Ed Danvers on '' Homicide: Life on t ...

as Russell Jackson, White House Chief of Staff *

as Nadine Tolliver, Elizabeth's

chief of staff The title chief of staff (or head of staff) identifies the leader of a complex organization such as the armed forces, institution, or body of persons and it also may identify a principal staff officer (PSO), who is the coordinator of the supporti ...

Recurring

Johanna Day Johanna Day (born 1964) is an American actress. She was nominated for two Tony Awards for her performances in the 2000 play '' Proof'' and the 2016 production of the play ''Sweat''. Her other accolades include a Helen Hayes Award and an Obie Awa ...

as National Security Advisor Admiral (retired) Ellen Hill *

Tony Plana José Antonio Plana (born April 19, 1952) is a Cuban actor and director. He is known for playing Betty Suarez's father, Ignacio Suarez, on the ABC television show ''Ugly Betty'' and for voicing Manuel "Manny" Calavera in the video game ''Grim ...

as Admiral Ed Parker, a member of the Joint Chiefs *

Clifton Davis Clifton Duncan Davis (born October 4, 1945) is an American actor, singer, songwriter, minister, and author. Davis wrote The Jackson 5's No. 2 hit "Never Can Say Goodbye" in 1971. He appeared on Broadway in the musicals '' Two Gentlemen of Verona ...

as Ephraim Ware, Director of National Intelligence *

Mandy Gonzalez Mandy Gonzalez (born August 22, 1978)Mandy Gonzalez
on

J. C. MacKenzie John Charles MacKenzie (born October 17, 1970) is a Canadian actor. He is best known for portraying Skip Fontaine on the HBO series ''Vinyl'' (2016) and Reagan "Normal" Ronald on the Fox series '' Dark Angel'' (2000–2002). He has also appea ...

as Governor Sam Evans of Pennsylvania, the presidential nominee for Dalton's party *

Francis Jue Francis Jue (born September 29, 1963) is an American actor and singer. Jue is known for his performances on Broadway, in national tours, Off-Broadway and in regional theatre, particularly in the San Francisco Bay Area and at The Muny in St. Louis ...

as Chinese Foreign Minister Chen *

Stephanie J. Block Stephanie Janette Block (born September 19, 1972) is an American actress and singer, best known for her work on the Broadway (Manhattan), Broadway stage. Block made her Broadway debut in 2003, originating the role of Liza Minnelli in ''The Boy f ...

as Abby Whitman, Jay's wife. *

Justine Lupe Justine Lupe-Schomp is an American actress. She is known for her roles on ''Mr. Mercedes'', '' Succession'', ''Cristela'', and ''The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel''. Early life Lupe grew up in Denver, Colorado. She is a 2007 graduate of Denver School o ...

as Ronnie Baker, a

United States Army The United States Army (USA) is the land service branch of the United States Armed Forces. It is one of the eight U.S. uniformed services, and is designated as the Army of the United States in the U.S. Constitution.Article II, section 2, cla ...

captain Captain is a title, an appellative for the commanding officer of a military unit; the supreme leader of a navy ship, merchant ship, aeroplane, spacecraft, or other vessel; or the commander of a port, fire or police department, election precinct, e ...

seconded from

United States Cyber Command United States Cyber Command (USCYBERCOM) is one of the eleven unified combatant commands of the United States Department of Defense (DoD). It unifies the direction of cyberspace operations, strengthens DoD cyberspace capabilities, and integra ...

Chris Petrovski Chris Petrovski is an American actor born in Bitola, Macedonia, known for his role as Dmitri Petrov on the television series '' Madam Secretary''. Life and career Petrovski's parents brought him to New Zealand while he was still a baby. While sti ...

as Dmitri Petrov, a former Russian spy who joins the Central Intelligence Agency to work for Henry

Guests

Morgan Freeman Morgan Freeman (born June 1, 1937) is an American actor, director, and narrator. He is known for his distinctive deep voice and various roles in a wide variety of film genres. Throughout his career spanning over five decades, he has received ...

as Frawley, the Chief Justice of the United States *

Jane Pauley Margaret Jane Pauley (born October 31, 1950) is an American television host, and author, active in news reporting since 1972. Pauley first became widely known as Barbara Walters's successor on the NBC morning show ''Today'', beginning at the age ...

as herself *

Carlos Gomez Carlos may refer to: Places ;Canada * Carlos, Alberta, a locality ;United States * Carlos, Indiana, an unincorporated community * Carlos, Maryland, a place in Allegany County * Carlos, Minnesota, a small city * Carlos, West Virginia ;Elsewhere ...

as Jose Campos * Monna Sabouri as the Interpreter, a Russian and

Persian Persian may refer to: * People and things from Iran, historically called ''Persia'' in the English language ** Persians, the majority ethnic group in Iran, not to be conflated with the Iranic peoples ** Persian language, an Iranian language of the ...

speaking agent *

Justin Baldoni Justin Louis Baldoni (born January 24, 1984) is an American actor and filmmaker. He is best known for portraying Rafael Solano on The CW satirical romantic dramedy ''Jane the Virgin'' (2014–2019) as well as directing the films ''Five Feet Ap ...

as Kevin Park *

Joel de la Fuente Joel de la Fuente (born April 21, 1969) is an American actor. He first gained recognition for his role as 1st Lieutenant Paul Wang in '' Space: Above and Beyond'', and is best known for his roles as Dr. Johann Pryce in ''Hemlock Grove'', Kempeitai ...

as Datu Andrada, the

President of the Philippines The president of the Philippines ( fil, Pangulo ng Pilipinas, sometimes referred to as ''Presidente ng Pilipinas'') is the head of state, head of government and chief executive of the Philippines. The president leads the executive branch of t ...

* Christine Garver as Molly Reid

Episodes

Production

Development

''Madam Secretary'' was renewed for a third season on March 25, 2016.

Ratings

Home media

The DVD release of season three is set to be released in Region 1 on September 19, 2017.

References

{{Reflist 2016 American television seasons 2017 American television seasons

Season 3 A season is a division of the year based on changes in weather, ecology, and the number of daylight hours in a given region. On Earth, seasons are the result of the axial parallelism of Earth's tilted orbit around the Sun. In temperate and pola ...