- "When everything seems to be lacking in integrity, you know what you do? You find it in yourself. You change the world right from where you're standing."
- ―Henry McCord to Elizabeth McCord.
Henry McCord, Ph.D is a retired United States Marine Corps captain, ethics professor, theologian, and First Gentleman of the United States, married to President and former Secretary of State Elizabeth McCord. A Gulf War veteran, he has worked at Georgetown University, the National War College, and the National Security Agency, and served as an ethical advisor to President Conrad Dalton. He is portrayed by Tim Daly.
Biography[]
Early life[]
Henry was born and raised in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, the son of Patrick McCord, a steel worker. Henry attended the University of Virginia where he met his future wife, Elizabeth. The two married in 1990, and had three children: Stephanie (b. 1994), Alison (b. 1999), and Jason (b. 2001).
Henry served as an officer in the United States Marine Corps, where he attained the rank of captain. He was assigned to the 3rd Marine Air Wing out of Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, where he flew F-18 Hornets during Operation Desert Storm.
Season 1[]
In the Pilot episode, Dr. Henry McCord moves to Georgetown University to continue his work as a professor of religious studies after his wife, Elizabeth, is appointed Secretary of State. While helping their family adjust to life in Washington, Henry becomes aware of a potential conspiracy when Elizabeth’s former CIA colleague, George, claims the former Secretary of State’s plane crash was sabotage linked to White House dealings. Later, Henry informs Elizabeth of George’s death in a car accident, which they suspect was an assassination to cover up his claims.
In The Operative, Henry faces an ethical and professional challenge when Anton Gorev, a Russian official, attempts to blackmail him into raising the grade of his daughter Olga, one of Henry’s students, by leveraging Elizabeth’s diplomatic troubles. Henry refuses, causing tension with Elizabeth, who proposes using the situation to negotiate Russian assistance in securing the release of a U.S. agent captured in Pakistan. Despite his frustration, Henry agrees to assign Olga an incomplete to defuse the situation while maintaining his principles.
In Blame Canada, Henry deals with newfound attention after being named one of the hottest spouses of government officials. While helping his son Jason with a school essay about his background, Henry shares details about his time as a fighter pilot during Desert Storm. A confrontation with a drunken airman at a restaurant leads Jason to ask difficult questions about Henry’s military service, including whether he has killed anyone. The conversation allows Henry to provide honest answers, strengthening his connection with Jason while addressing the realities of his past.
In The Call, Henry becomes personally involved in the RWA crisis through his former professor, who seeks help for refugees fleeing violence. Henry initially supports the effort but is outraged to learn the priest has been using the refugees as drug mules. Their relationship fractures as Henry confronts him about his actions, though he later helps Elizabeth secure the professor’s cooperation to negotiate with warlords blocking evacuation efforts. By the episode’s end, Henry forgives the professor, acknowledging the complexity of the situation while reinforcing his moral convictions.
In Passage, Henry tells Elizabeth he will stay home to focus on finishing his book, citing a moved-up deadline. While on her way to work, Stevie sees him having lunch with a young brunette and later discovers he hasn’t been at the library as claimed. Convinced her father is having an affair, Stevie confides in Daisy, who then shares the concerns with Elizabeth. When Elizabeth confronts him, Henry initially appears uncomfortable but eventually reveals the truth: he is working with the NSA on a classified operation, and the brunette is his handler. With the misunderstanding resolved, Elizabeth reassures Stevie that Henry is not unfaithful and grounds her for underage drinking.
In Need to Know, Henry continues his covert NSA assignment and is tasked with investigating Klaus, a German religious scholar and suspected money launderer believed to be hiding chemical weapons smuggled from Syria. Leveraging his past connection to Klaus, Henry secures an invitation to a party at Klaus’s home. The NSA provides him with a bug disguised as a chess piece identical to one in Klaus’s collection. At the party, Henry swaps the bugged piece into the chess set but is almost caught when Klaus notices his interest in the game. To avoid suspicion, Henry proposes a chess match with Klaus, skillfully ending the game in a draw before Klaus examines the fake piece.
Though his handler informs him that his role is complete, Henry offers to continue assisting with similar missions, citing his responsibility to help. Bound by the NSA’s secrecy requirements, Henry lies to Elizabeth when she asks if his NSA work is finished, maintaining his cover even as his double life grows more complicated.
In Standoff, While on the anniversary trip, Henry’s past assignment resurfaces when they encounter Klaus, the man he had previously bugged for the NSA. Klaus reveals he knows about the planted bug and offers critical intel about a chemical attack in exchange for protection for his son. Henry navigates the moral and operational complexities of fulfilling Klaus’s request.
In Chain of Command, Henry’s father visits, bringing a mix of charm and chaos. He tells stories of past hardships, asks Elizabeth for business favors, and misleads Stevie about his influence, falsely offering her a job opportunity. His actions strain family dynamics and leave Henry frustrated as he tries to balance respect for his father with the damage caused by his deceptions.
Henry was first recruited by the National Security Agency during his time as a Marine aviator. He was reinstated by the NSA decades later, and used his position as a professor at Georgetown University as his cover.
In "Spartan Figures," Henry was approached by Brigadier General Mitch Sarno, who asked him to work at the National War College in D.C.
Season 2[]
In "The Show Must Go On," Henry McCord begins his work in the Strategic Studies Department at the National War College, teaching military ethics. Among his students are Ivan Kolashkov and Dmitri Petrov. Henry is approached by his DIA handler, Jane Fellows, and tasked with assessing Ivan for potential recruitment as a U.S. intelligence asset. Henry quickly objects to the proposed strategy of using blackmail, citing its ethical flaws and potential for instability. Instead, he advocates for Dmitri, highlighting his analytical mind, discretion, and discipline, as well as a complex family history—including his father’s death in Chechnya and his Georgian heritage—that suggests inner conflict and a counter-nationalist perspective. Henry’s approach prioritizes psychological insight and ethical recruitment methods, leading to Dmitri being selected as his asset.
In the latter half of the second season, Henry begins to work directly for the White House as part of the 'Murphy Station', a counter-terrorism task force intent on finding and stopping the terrorist group Hizb-al Shahid and its leader, Jibral Disah, the mastermind behind the "dirty bomb" attack that both Henry and his children were involved in.
Season 3[]
Season 4[]
Season 5[]
During Season 5, Henry is offered a job as an ethical advisor to President Conrad Dalton, which he accepts. He served in this position until ascending to the role of First Gentleman of the United States.
Trivia[]
- Henry's Diplomatic Service code name is "Cardinal."
- Henry was listed No. 3 on TMI Magazine's Top 10 List of Arm-Candy: U.S. Government Edition.
- Henry liked Gunsmoke as a child.
- Henry is a devout Catholic.
- He has a running joke throughout the series "Thomas Aquinas walks into a bar..." the punchline is not revealed until the series finale
- Henry hides chocolate bars around the house for Elizabeth
- Henry and Elizabeth's script from the pilot is mirrored in the season premiere of the final season, referencing the same jokes and storylines
- The actors who play his niece, Sarah and Daisy's ex-fiancee, Winn are his kids in real life
Behind the Scenes[]
Henry McCord was portrayed by actor Tim Daly in Season 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6 of Madam Secretary.
Appearances[]
Madam Secretary - "Pilot" (first appearance)- Madam Secretary - "Another Benghazi"
- Madam Secretary - "The Operative"
