Allison Janney Says Kissing Bradley Whitford onThe DiplomatWas Like Kissing Her Brother (Exclusive)

Mar. 15, 2025

Bradley Whitford and Allison Janney in January 2020.Photo:Kevin Mazur/Getty

Kevin Mazur/Getty

Allison JanneyandBradley Whitfordmay have portrayed both on-screen friends and husband and wife, but she told PEOPLE that their friendship resembles the bond between a brother and sister.Janney, 65, exclusively told PEOPLE it’s “absolutely crazy” that her formerWest Wingcostar was cast as her husband inThe Diplomat.The seven-time Emmy winner hinted at what it was like to work with her longtime friend on the Netflix seriesat the 12th Annual Makeup Artists & Hairstylists Guild Awards in Los Angeles on Saturday, Feb. 15. Janney was honored with the Distinguished Artisan Award at the event, which celebrates the excellence of Hollywood make-up artists and hair stylists.“I was so happy when [showrunner] Debra Cahn said, ‘I’m thinking of… We’re casting your husband and I want Brad Whitford.’ And I went… Oh, I just thought it was the best idea ever,” Janney told PEOPLE.Cahn also served as a writer onThe West Wing. Janney and Whitford starred in the 26-time Emmy-winning political drama from 1999 to 2006. Janney portrayed Press Secretary Claudia Jean Cregg, better known as C.J. Cregg, and Whitford, 65, starred as Deputy Chief of Staff Josh Lyman.But the Oscar winner confessed it’s “a little bit” like kissing her brother. “We have a bedroom scene, and I told Brad about it. I was like, ‘Okay. We’re just going to … We can do this. We can handle it,’ ” she said.Allison Janney on February 15, 2025 in Los Angeles, California.Greg Doherty/Getty“Oh. It’s so hilarious that we’re going to be doing this together, but I couldn’t love it more. It’s perfect. It’s the perfect way to reunite these two in this political drama,” the actress said.Janney praisedThe Diplomat, saying the “unbelievable” series “is such a great show.”“Keri RussellandRufus Sewellare so divine, and I’m so happy to be a part of it,” she told PEOPLE.  The political thriller series follows U.S. Ambassador to the U.K. Kate Wyler (Russell) and her husband Hal Wyler (Sewell) as they try to prevent a global war.“And now that Brad is too, it just makes it even more delicious. It’s so great,” she said before concluding, “I’m really excited about it.”Martin Sheen, Alison Janney and Bradley Whitford in The West Wing.NBC/ EverettJanney joined the series in season 2 as Vice President Grace Penn, who was positioned to become president of the U.S. based on theshocking events of the season 2 finale. Meanwhile, Whitford will join season 3 as her husband, Todd Penn.Cahn previously toldTudumthat Whitford “was the fantasy version of Todd — for all of us,” adding, “We still can’t believe it came true.”“Bradley was the perfect addition to what is already a dream cast,” executive producer Janice Williams told Tudum.Allison Janney as Grace Penn, Bradley Whitford as Todd Penn in “The Diplomat” season 3.Clifton Prescod/NetflixNever miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer​​, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.There is no official premiere date for season 3. Filming is scheduled to wrap on March 20, and the season is slated for release later in the year, per Netflix.The first two seasons ofThe Diplomatare now streaming on Netflix.The West Wingis available to stream on Max.

Allison JanneyandBradley Whitfordmay have portrayed both on-screen friends and husband and wife, but she told PEOPLE that their friendship resembles the bond between a brother and sister.

Janney, 65, exclusively told PEOPLE it’s “absolutely crazy” that her formerWest Wingcostar was cast as her husband inThe Diplomat.

The seven-time Emmy winner hinted at what it was like to work with her longtime friend on the Netflix seriesat the 12th Annual Makeup Artists & Hairstylists Guild Awards in Los Angeles on Saturday, Feb. 15. Janney was honored with the Distinguished Artisan Award at the event, which celebrates the excellence of Hollywood make-up artists and hair stylists.

“I was so happy when [showrunner] Debra Cahn said, ‘I’m thinking of… We’re casting your husband and I want Brad Whitford.’ And I went… Oh, I just thought it was the best idea ever,” Janney told PEOPLE.

Cahn also served as a writer onThe West Wing. Janney and Whitford starred in the 26-time Emmy-winning political drama from 1999 to 2006. Janney portrayed Press Secretary Claudia Jean Cregg, better known as C.J. Cregg, and Whitford, 65, starred as Deputy Chief of Staff Josh Lyman.

But the Oscar winner confessed it’s “a little bit” like kissing her brother. “We have a bedroom scene, and I told Brad about it. I was like, ‘Okay. We’re just going to … We can do this. We can handle it,’ ” she said.

Allison Janney on February 15, 2025 in Los Angeles, California.Greg Doherty/Getty

Greg Doherty/Getty

“Oh. It’s so hilarious that we’re going to be doing this together, but I couldn’t love it more. It’s perfect. It’s the perfect way to reunite these two in this political drama,” the actress said.

Janney praisedThe Diplomat, saying the “unbelievable” series “is such a great show.”

“Keri RussellandRufus Sewellare so divine, and I’m so happy to be a part of it,” she told PEOPLE.  The political thriller series follows U.S. Ambassador to the U.K. Kate Wyler (Russell) and her husband Hal Wyler (Sewell) as they try to prevent a global war.

“And now that Brad is too, it just makes it even more delicious. It’s so great,” she said before concluding, “I’m really excited about it.”

Martin Sheen, Alison Janney and Bradley Whitford in The West Wing.NBC/ Everett

NBC/ Everett

Janney joined the series in season 2 as Vice President Grace Penn, who was positioned to become president of the U.S. based on theshocking events of the season 2 finale. Meanwhile, Whitford will join season 3 as her husband, Todd Penn.

Cahn previously toldTudumthat Whitford “was the fantasy version of Todd — for all of us,” adding, “We still can’t believe it came true.”

“Bradley was the perfect addition to what is already a dream cast,” executive producer Janice Williams told Tudum.

Allison Janney as Grace Penn, Bradley Whitford as Todd Penn in “The Diplomat” season 3.Clifton Prescod/Netflix

Clifton Prescod/Netflix

Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer​​, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.

There is no official premiere date for season 3. Filming is scheduled to wrap on March 20, and the season is slated for release later in the year, per Netflix.

The first two seasons ofThe Diplomatare now streaming on Netflix.The West Wingis available to stream on Max.

source: people.com