Former West Wing’s Co-Stars Allison Janney and Bradley Whitford Address The Diplomat Reunion

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Allison Janney and Bradley Whitford are talking about working together again on a new Netflix series. They first became well-known as co-stars on the show The West Wing.

In an interview with TV Insider, Janney discussed how her and Schell’s characters in The Diplomat differ from their roles as C.J. Cregg and Josh Lyman on The West Wing. Janney admitted there was a lot of anticipation about the reunion, especially from fans, and she felt it too. While the show’s creator, Debora Cahn, may have initially been hesitant, Janney believes viewers will see that these new characters are completely distinct and won’t evoke memories of their West Wing personas.

According to Whitford, the strength of The Diplomat lies in its clever concept: exploring global negotiations by focusing on the personal power dynamics within relationships. He believes this approach creates a compelling show and allows the actors’ existing rapport to add depth and a sense of history to their new characters and storylines. He feels that shared history will resonate with viewers, making the show feel richer and more complex.

Bradley Whitford and Allison Janney previously worked together on The West Wing, a show about the inner workings of the U.S. government under President Jed Bartlet, played by Martin Sheen. The show boasted a talented cast including Rob Lowe, Richard Schiff, Dulé Hill, Moira Kelly, John Spencer, and Janel Moloney. During its seven seasons on NBC, The West Wing aired 154 episodes and received an impressive 289 award nominations, winning 100 of them.

Is Netflix’s The Diplomat Really Worth the Watch?

Premiering on Netflix in 2023, The Diplomat is a fresh take on the political thriller genre. The show centers on Keri Russell as Katherine “Kate” Wyler, the newly assigned U.S. Ambassador to the UK, who finds herself in the middle of a major international crisis. She must skillfully manage the situation to prevent lasting damage. The series also stars Rufus Sewell, Ali Ahn, Ato Essandoh, Rory Kinnear, and David Gyasi.

Season 2 introduced Allison Janney as Grace Hagen, who later became President of the United States. Rob Lowe joined in Season 3 as her husband, Todd Penn, the First Gentleman. The show continued to receive overwhelmingly positive reviews with each new season. Season 3 is no exception, boasting a 96% approval rating from critics and a “Certified Fresh” designation. Viewers also enjoyed it, giving it a 79% rating.

The Diplomat is currently available for streaming on Netflix.

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2025-10-28 02:10