Netflix has announced an exciting reunion of West Wing stars in the upcoming season of The Diplomat. Bradley Whitford, beloved for his role as Josh Lyman in The West Wing, will join his former co-star Allison Janney in season 3 of the political drama series.
Whitford, 65, is set to play Todd Penn, husband to Janney's character Grace Penn, who stands poised to become the next President of the United States following dramatic events in season 2's finale. The casting brings together the former West Wing duo who played Deputy Chief of Staff Josh Lyman and Press Secretary C.J. Cregg in the acclaimed series.
"Brad was the fantasy version of Todd — for all of us. We still can't believe it came true," series creator Debora Cahn told Tudum. Executive producer Janice Williams added that "Bradley was the perfect addition to what is already a dream cast."
Netflix has released preview photos showing the pair in character, including one featuring Janney and Whitford sharing a tense moment on a couch with drinks in hand. Another image captures them alongside series leads Kate Wyler (Keri Russell) and Hal (Rufus Sewell) during what appears to be an uncomfortable social gathering.
The reunion comes at a pivotal moment in the show's storyline. Season 2 ended with strained relations between Grace and Kate after Kate discovered Grace's involvement in an illegal international policy scheme. The implications of a potential Penn presidency and Todd's past financial scandal add layers of complexity to the upcoming season.
The Diplomat, which debuted in 2023, follows Kate Wyler's journey as the U.S. ambassador to the UK while managing her complex marriage to a political figure. While an official premiere date for season 3 hasn't been announced, filming is expected to conclude on March 20, with the season scheduled to release later this year on Netflix.