<P> Francis spends most of the season as the newly appointed Vice President of the United States . In early episodes Frank vanquishes reporters on the trail of a murder he committed in the previous season . However, the drama soon shifts to tensions involving Frank, President Walker, the Chinese government, and the wealthy Raymond Tusk, eventually culminating in a bitter political war between Frank and Tusk . Frank's wife Claire publicly reveals that she was raped in college by a prominent general and pursues anti-rape legislation . The most significant new character is Jackie Sharp, Frank's successor as House Whip, who soon finds herself embroiled in Frank's plans . As the war between Frank and Tusk consumes the Presidency, things culminate in a scandal that leads to Walker resigning, Tusk being arrested, and Frank ascending to the Oval Office . </P> <P> Among the new cast members in season 2 are Molly Parker and Sam Page, while directors include Carl Franklin, Jodie Foster, James Foley and Wright . The season features cameos by several notable journalists, including Ashleigh Banfield, Rachel Maddow, Chris Matthews, Matt Bai, Morley Safer, Sean Hannity, and Kelly O'Donnell . </P> <Ul> <Li> Kevin Spacey as Francis "Frank" J. Underwood, the Vice President of the United States </Li> <Li> Robin Wright as Claire Underwood, the Second Lady of the United States </Li> <Li> Michael Kelly as Douglas "Doug" Stamper, the Chief of Staff to the Vice President of the United States </Li> <Li> Molly Parker as Jacqueline "Jackie" Sharp, a war veteran, Congresswoman from California and Underwood's successor as House Majority Whip </Li> <Li> Michel Gill as Garrett Walker, the 45th President of the United States </Li> <Li> Gerald McRaney as Raymond Tusk, a multi-billionaire businessman and investor who acts as an advisor and confidante to President Walker </Li> <Li> Nathan Darrow as Edward Meechum, Secret Service agent on Underwood's detail, a former member of the U.S. Capitol Police serving as Underwood's bodyguard and driver </Li> <Li> Mahershala Ali as Remy Danton, a lobbyist with law firm Glendon Hill and former employee of Frank Underwood </Li> <Li> Derek Cecil as Seth Grayson, a sinister political operative who becomes Press Secretary for Vice President Underwood </Li> <Li> Rachel Brosnahan as Rachel Posner, a former sex worker seeking a new life </Li> <Li> Sakina Jaffrey as Linda Vasquez, the White House Chief of Staff in the Walker Administration </Li> <Li> Jayne Atkinson as Catherine Durant, the U.S. Secretary of State in the Walker Administration </Li> <Li> Jimmi Simpson as Gavin Orsay, a hacker and informant for the FBI </Li> <Li> Joanna Going as Patricia Walker, wife of President Garrett Walker and First Lady of the United States </Li> <Li> Mozhan Marnò as Ayla Sayyad, a tenacious journalist working for the Wall Street Telegraph </Li> <Li> Jeremy Holm as Agent Nathan Green, the White House / FBI liaison </Li> <Li> Sebastian Arcelus as Lucas Goodwin, a senior political editor working at the Washington Herald </Li> <Li> Terry Chen as Xander Feng, a corrupt Chinese businessman and backchannel diplomat who is Raymond Tusk's business partner </Li> <Li> Libby Woodbridge as Megan Hennessey, a former U.S. Marine Private who was sexually assaulted by General Dalton McGinnis </Li> <Li> Kate Lyn Sheil as Lisa Williams, a social worker who befriends Rachel Posner </Li> <Li> Elizabeth Norment as Nancy Kaufberger, secretary of the office of the Democratic House Whip </Li> <Li> Gil Birmingham as Daniel Lanigan, a Native American casino owner in Missouri and friend of Raymond Tusk </Li> <Li> Reg E. Cathey as Freddy Hayes, friend of Frank Underwood and the owner of a BBQ restaurant that Frank frequently visits </Li> <Li> Samuel Page as Connor Ellis, a smooth talking media consultant who becomes Communications Director for Claire Underwood </Li> <Li> Larry Pine as Bob Birch, a Democratic Congressman from Michigan and the Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives </Li> <Li> Kristen Connolly as Christina Gallagher, a headstrong aide to President Walker and former girlfriend of Peter Russo </Li> <Li> Curtiss Cook as Terry Womack, House Majority Leader from Missouri's 5th congressional district </Li> <Li> Constance Zimmer as Janine Skorsky, a veteran journalist working for news blog Slugline </Li> <Li> Michael Warner as Oliver Spence </Li> <Li> Benito Martinez as Hector Mendoza, a Republican Senator from Arizona and the Senate Majority Leader </Li> <Li> Boris McGiver as Tom Hammerschmidt, former chief editor of the Washington Herald </Li> <Li> David Clennon as Ted Havermeyer, a veteran Congressman from California and PAC Chairman who is a mentor to Congresswoman Sharp </Li> <Li> Elizabeth Marvel as Heather Dunbar, an uncompromising lawyer who is appointed Special Prosecutor in the investigation into money laundering of foreign money via PACs </Li> <Li> Tom Galantich as Reverend Thomas Larkin, a minister and relationship therapist </Li> <Li> Mark Zeisler as Bill Gallich, the White House Counsel </Li> <Li> Reed Birney as Donald Blythe, a Democratic Congressman from New Hampshire </Li> <Li> Sandrine Holt as Gillian Cole </Li> <Li> Ben Daniels as Adam Galloway, a world - renowned photographer and former lover of Claire Underwood </Li> <Li> Kate Mara as Zoe Barnes, an ambitious journalist working for news blog Slugline and former lover of Frank Underwood </Li> </Ul> <Li> Kevin Spacey as Francis "Frank" J. Underwood, the Vice President of the United States </Li>

Who plays press secretary on house of cards