Peyton Lane

**Peyton Lane** (Cariba Heine) is the hidden main villainess of a three-episode Season 2 arc of *Designated Survivor*.

## Introduction/Kidnapping

Peyton was introduced in episode 2.05, "Suckers" (airdate October 25, 2017), as having been the aide of Charlotte Thorn—a member of the Parliament of the United Kingdom and a potential future Prime Minister—for six years. Additionally, the episode began with Charlotte being shot to death by someone wearing an all-black disguise. MI6 Agent Damian Rennett teamed up with FBI Agent Hannah Wells to solve the murder, and they subsequently met Peyton, who informed them of Charlotte's obsessive desire to take down notorious arms dealer Darius Cray. He was then proven innocent, with his wife Catherine becoming the new prime suspect after she was unveiled as the *true* head of the illegal arms business, meaning that Darius was her second-in-command.

Episode 2.06, "Two Ships" (airdate November 1, 2017), saw Peyton personally checking in on the investigation before being kidnapped by two men who threatened to kill her if Darius was not extradited to Malaysia. Two videos were sent to the FBI through proxy servers showing her predicament; during the second video, she cryptically gave away a pivotal clue to her location, allowing for Hannah and Damian to save her just as they prepared to go through with their threat. It was quickly discovered that Catherine masterminded Peyton's abduction; however, she stated that she not did kill Charlotte since her obsession with taking down Darius benefitted her criminal activities. Moreover, it was uncovered that the late MP was having an affair with former United States president Cornelius Moss, who was President Tom Kirkman's Secretary of State.

## Reveal/Arrest

In episode 2.07, "Family Ties" (airdate November 15, 2017), Peyton was questioned by Hannah and Damian about the affair while they showed her a video of Cornelius meeting up with Charlotte five hours before her death. Her true colors subtly began to surface when she coldly recounted everything she knew about their dalliance, along with mentioning that her boss was still finalizing her divorce from her husband. Proclaiming Cornelius' innocence even after disclosing he had argued with his illicit lover several times, Peyton stated that she was protecting Charlotte's posthumous reputation—citing that she was viewed as a "beacon of moral authority [by] millions" before excusing herself due to her heightened emotions. Later on, it was discovered through a picture that Charlotte wore a friendship ring that was never found after she was killed.

The details were revealed in full when Peyton—the new wearer of said ring—was interrogated by the FBI agent and her MI6 partner once more. Cornered, the heartbroken woman admitted to being in love with her superior for years, with the latter's affair with Cornelius driving her to jealousy. Charlotte's decision to end her proscribed relationship with him was followed by Peyton telling her that they could finally be together, only for her to say that she didn't want her. Furious over being romantically rejected, Peyton plotted murderous vengeance against Charlotte, firmly believing that she led her on, used her, and betrayed her. It came to fruition in "Suckers" when she donned the all-black disguise and murdered her with a single bullet, after which she attempted to have Darius, Catherine, and then Cornelius take the fall. Following her confession, the villainess was handcuffed and arrested.