Bradley Whitford’s New Role in The Diplomat Is the Perfect Political Thriller Follow-Up to The Handmaid’s Tale
The Handmaid’s Tale may have ended, but Bradley Whitford isn’t done navigating dangerous political terrain. The Emmy-winning actor, known for his complex portrayal of Commander Lawrence, now steps into another power-laced role—this time in Netflix’s acclaimed series The Diplomat.
Since its 2017 debut, The Handmaid’s Tale has tackled themes of oppression, gender, and rebellion, following June and the Handmaids as they fought their way through—and eventually back into—Gilead to dismantle it from within. Season 6 brought that fight to a climax, culminating in a shocking final act where Whitford’s Commander Lawrence sacrificed himself by taking down a plane full of Gilead’s elite. It was an unexpected, haunting end for one of the show’s most morally conflicted figures.
Now, Whitford’s turn in The Diplomat Season 3 marks an exciting next chapter. The Netflix political thriller—already praised with an 89% Rotten Tomatoes score—places him squarely in another high-stakes, morally gray world, rich with deception, diplomacy, and power struggles. For fans of The Handmaid’s Tale, it’s a natural transition: from dystopian resistance to the real-world games of international politics.
And for Whitford, it’s a seamless evolution—one that proves his talent for playing characters who walk the line between manipulation and redemption.
Whitford Will Take On A New Type Of Leadership Role
Netflix has just dropped the first teaser for The Diplomat season 3 — and with it comes our first look at Bradley Whitford’s intriguing new role. Whitford steps in as Todd Penn, the First Gentleman of the United States and husband to newly sworn-in President Grace Penn. While his name has been mentioned in earlier episodes, this marks his on-screen debut — and from the teaser alone, it’s clear Todd Penn isn’t here to play nice.
The footage hints at a tense sit-down between Grace and Todd Penn and diplomatic power couple Kate and Hal Wyler, possibly inside the White House. With existing friction already brewing between Kate and Grace, and Hal’s growing entanglement in high-level politics, Whitford’s character is set to be another sharp, strategic player. Todd Penn’s poised, calculating energy draws an immediate parallel to Whitford’s Commander Lawrence from The Handmaid’s Tale — another man who operated in the shadows, pulling strings behind closed doors.
If the teaser is any indication, Todd Penn could become a major force in the show’s ongoing political chess match.
While The Diplomat and The Handmaid’s Tale operate in vastly different worlds—one grounded in present-day global diplomacy, the other in a dystopian theocracy—they both share a striking undercurrent: high-stakes political maneuvering and power games played in the shadows. In both shows, knowledge is weaponized, and characters must constantly weigh morality against survival.
That’s what makes Bradley Whitford’s new role in The Diplomat such a compelling follow-up to Commander Lawrence. As Todd Penn, the First Gentleman navigating the minefield of White House politics, Whitford once again steps into a world where influence is subtle, alliances are fragile, and every move has consequences.
Though Gilead was a nightmare of extremism, and Washington is a house of diplomacy, both demand ruthless calculation—and Whitford’s knack for playing morally gray strategists makes the transition seamless. His latest role proves that whether in dystopia or democracy, he thrives where power comes at a cost.
The Diplomat Has Plenty Of Complex Characters
Image via Hulu
Bradley Whitford’s Todd Penn has yet to appear on-screen in The Diplomat, but his shadow has loomed large over the first two seasons. It’s been strongly implied that his behind-the-scenes maneuvering nearly cost his wife, Grace Penn, her position as Vice President. Now, in a major twist, Season 3 sees the Penns ascending to the highest office—Grace as President and Todd as First Gentleman—a setup that promises no shortage of political fireworks.
Much like Hal Wyler, Todd Penn doesn’t seem like the type to quietly stand by. Early teasers hint at his assertive presence and potential influence in the White House, raising questions about how far he’s willing to go—and at what cost. Whitford’s history of playing morally ambiguous power players makes this role a natural fit. His unforgettable portrayal of Commander Lawrence in The Handmaid’s Tale was layered with guilt, calculation, and a deep understanding of broken systems. That same complexity seems poised to resurface in The Diplomat.
Netflix has also teased an “unnerving bond” forming between Kate Wyler and Todd Penn, suggesting that he could become another manipulative voice guiding (or misleading) Kate’s decisions. In a show already brimming with secret agendas, personal vendettas, and political chess games, Todd Penn’s arrival threatens to shift the entire dynamic.
While The Handmaid’s Tale dealt with the terrifying grip of authoritarianism and The Diplomat explores the subtleties of diplomacy and image, both worlds place Whitford’s characters in unstable positions of power. Commander Lawrence helped build a regime he later questioned. Todd Penn, by contrast, helped orchestrate his wife’s downfall—only for them to land in the most powerful office in the world.
Now, with scandal bubbling beneath the surface and a presidency held together by shaky alliances, Whitford’s new role promises to be just as morally tangled and dangerous as the last.
