According to Deadline, Bradley Whitford (Get Out and The West Wing) is offering early insight into what viewers can expect from First Gentleman Todd Penn in the upcoming fourth season of Netflix’s political drama The Diplomat. Whitford was recently promoted to series regular ahead of the new season and spoke about the role while attending the premiere of the film adaptation of Reminders of Him. He hinted that Todd’s dynamic within the White House will continue to be complicated, saying, “Either my character doesn’t want to be there or the other characters don’t want my character to be there.”
According to Deadline, Whitford’s co‑star Allison Janney (from I, Tonya and Mom) was also elevated to series regular for Season 4. Janney portrays President Grace Penn, who was introduced in Season 2 as Vice President before assuming the presidency in the final moments of the Season 3 finale. The previous season followed the unraveling of Kate Wyler’s (Keri Russell) relationship with Hal (Rufus Sewell) after Kate was passed over for the VP nomination in favor of Hal. Throughout the season, Todd and Kate speculated about Grace and Hal’s working relationship and the extent of their political maneuvering.
According to Deadline, series creator Debora Cahn shared an update on Season 4’s production, noting that filming and writing are happening simultaneously. She described the process as intense but familiar, saying the team is in the stage where “it seems completely impossible that we will figure out how to land this plane,” though she added that this feeling has become a normal part of the show’s development cycle.
Whitford was attending the premiere of Reminders of Him, which arrives in theaters this Friday. The film follows Kenna (Maika Monroe), a mother attempting to reconnect with her young daughter after serving time in prison for a tragic mistake. Her efforts are resisted by the local community, including the child’s grandparents, played by Whitford and Lauren Graham. The only person willing to help her is a bar owner portrayed by Tyriq Withers. As Kenna forms a bond with him, she must confront her past to build a new future.