Warning: SPOILERS ahead for The Diplomat season 2.New images ofThe Diplomatseason 3 reveal an unexpected reunion between Allison Janney and a former co-star onThe West Wing. Janney joined thecast ofThe Diplomatseason 2as Vice President Grace Penn, who becomes a mentor of sorts to Keri Russell’s Ambassador Kate Wyler. Grace Penn is a sharp and ruthless new addition toThe Diplomat,who ends up playing a key role inThe Diplomat’s shocking season 2 finale. The popular political drama is set to return with its third season on Netflix sometime in 2025, following season 2’s October 2024 release date.
The Diplomatranks amongThe West Wing,House of Cards, and other celebrated political dramas with a focus on the executive branch of the U.S. government. WhileThe Diplomatmay not have as much critical acclaim asThe West Wing— or as many Emmy Awards (26 wins compared toThe Diplomat’slone 2023 nominee) — it became one of the most viewed original series on Netflix in 2023. Creator Debora Chan revealed toTudum, “Season3 flips the chessboard. Kate lives the particular nightmare that is getting what you want.” Kate will do so alongside a new main character.
The West Wing’s Allison Janney & Bradley Whitford Are Reuniting As A Married Couple In The Diplomat Season 3
Whitford Will Likely Play The First Man Role Next To Janney’s U.S. President
After starring together onThe West Wing, Janney and Whitford are back together on the small screen inThe Diplomat. This time around, some 26 years after the premiere ofThe West Wing,Janney and Whitford play a married couple.The Diplomatseason 2 viewers are aware that this would make Whitford’s character the First Man next to Janney’s newly acquired presidential role following the death of President Rayburn. Kate Wyler will likely be promoted as the U.S. Vice President in season 3 alongside Janney’s President, which would “give her what she wants,” as Chan alluded to.
The addition of Whitford, who played Josh Lyman in all 155 episodes ofThe West Wing, makesThe Diplomateven more exciting as one of the mosthighly anticipated 2025 releases on Netflix. His pairing with Janney, who also starred in everyWest Wingepisode asC.J. Cregg,is spot-on, and adds a greater sense of realism and prestige to the already authentic and compelling political drama.Janney won four Emmy Awards for her role onThe West Wing, while Whitford won one Emmy for the series. His other two wins were fromTransparent(2016) andThe Handmaid’s Tale(2019).
The Diplomat Puts A Spin On Allison Janney & Bradley Whitford’s Political Drama Dynamic In The West Wing
They Will Be A Married Political Power Couple In The Diplomat Season 3
The upcoming dynamic between Janney and Whitford’s characters in Netflix’s political drama will be very different from inThe West Wing, given that Janney’s character is now the U.S. President.Janney’s C.J. and Whitford’s Josh were never romantic interests onThe West Wing, which adds a new element to their shared filmography. C.J. and Josh had more of a sibling dynamic. Thenew images ofThe Diplomatseason 3suggest that Whitford’s character will be a strong aide to Grace Penn — and may have had a role in the conspiracy behind theattack on the HMS Courageous.
Janney and Whitford could become Netflix’s new “Frank and Claire” inThe Diplomatseason 3.
Rather than competing with each other for promotions as White House staff colleagues inThe West Wing, Janney and Whitford could become Netflix’s new “Frank and Claire.” They certainly hold all the cards after Grace Penn’s ascension to the Presidency. Kate’s allegiance to Grace will be tested after discovering her corrupt part in the two-season-long conspiracy involving the HMS Courageous.Whitford’s character could be somewhat two-facedand calculated as a counterpart to Grace. He may be the seemingly innocent mastermind behind the conspiracy and Grace’s rise to power. Kate will have to tread lightly in her new V.P. role.
Allison Janney & Bradley Whitford Previously Reunited In A 2017 Dramedy Movie
They Both Appeared In A Happening Of Monumental Proportions
While Janney and Whitford’s casting inThe Diplomatseason 3marks a political drama reunion, it’s not the first time they’ve collaborated on a project sinceThe West Wingended in 2006. They wereboth in the 2017 drama filmA Happening of Monumental Proportionsalongside an ensemble cast including Keanu Reeves, Katie Holmes, Jennifer Garner, Rob Riggle, Common, and more. Despite itsRotten Tomatoesscore of 29%,Happening of Monumental Proportionsoffered an unprecedented look at Janney and Whitford together in a dramedy film. Their reunion inThe Diplomatseason 3 should be more nostalgic and true-to-form.
