The Diplomat Casting Director Julie Schubert Officially Reveals the Truth Behind the West Wing Reunion [Exclusive]

A long-planned casting choice

Bradley Whitford joined The Diplomat in Season 3 as Todd, the husband of Grace Penn, played by Allison Janney. Their pairing drew attention from fans familiar with the actors’ work together on The West Wing.

Casting director Julie Schubert told Collider that Whitford had been discussed for the series since Season 1. His availability eventually made the role possible, she said, while his history with Janney was an added benefit rather than the reason for the casting.

A different kind of reunion

Schubert said the aim was to build a new relationship between Whitford and Janney, not to repeat their West Wing roles. Todd and Grace are distinct from Josh Lyman and CJ Cregg, the characters the actors played in the earlier political drama.

She said the actors’ long familiarity helps their work together, while their new roles keep the former characters from defining the partnership. Schubert described the appeal as seeing the pair share the screen while watching them create different characters and dynamics.

Whittaker was Schubert’s first choice

For Season 4, Jodie Whittaker plays Prime Minister Bethan Vaughn. Schubert said Whittaker was the first actor she wanted to approach as the character took shape. Schubert praised Whittaker’s work in Doctor Who, Broadchurch and Toxic Town, and said the new role offered her a chance to take on material unlike her previous work. She said the casting became clear as the production identified what the character needed to show on screen, and Whittaker accepted.