Both Allison Janney and Bradley Whitford have been promoted to series regular status for “The Diplomat” Season 4.
The news comes ahead of the launch of Season 3 of the critically-acclaimed Netflix series, which debuts on Oct. 16. Janney first joined the show in its second season, while Whitford joins in Season 3. Both actors have been guest stars on the show up to this point. The Season 4 renewal was announced back in May, with production set to begin this fall.
SPOILERS AHEAD
Janney plays Vice President Grace Penn in the series, who becomes President of the United States going into Season 3 following the death of President Rayburn (Michael McKean). Whitford is set to play First Gentleman Todd Penn, Grace’s husband.
Keri Russell returns in the lead role of “The Diplomat” along with fellow cast members Rufus Sewell, Allison Janney, David Gyasi, Ali Ahn, Rory Kinnear, and Ato Essandoh. The official description of Season 3 states:
“Ambassador Kate Wyler (Russell) lives the particular nightmare that is getting what you want. She just accused Vice President Grace Penn (Janney) of hatching a terrorist plot and admitted she’s after the VP’s job. But now the President is dead, Kate’s husband Hal (Sewell) may have inadvertently killed him, and Grace Penn is leader of the free world. None of this slows Hal’s campaign to land Kate the vice presidency. Kate steps into a role she never wanted, with a freedom she never expected, an increasingly complicated friendship with Foreign Secretary Austin Dennison (Gyasi), and an unnerving bond with First Gentleman Todd Penn (Whitford).”
Debora Cahn created “The Diplomat” and serves as executive producer along with Russell, Janice Williams, and Alex Graves. “The Diplomat” proved to be an immediate hit for Netflix upon its debut in 2023. The show and Russell have picked up numerous awards nominations, including those for both Emmys and Golden Globes. Most recently, the show was nominated for best drama series for the 2025 Emmys, while Russell was nominated for best lead actress in a drama.
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