Allison Janney Jokes Why She Will Spoon, Not Kiss Bradley Whitford

As such, the I, Tonya star quipped, "I'll spoon, but I will not French kiss him." 

Still, Janney couldn't help but share earnest praise for her costar. "He's an amazing actor," she continued, adding, "he's also one of the most the funniest people on the planet."

For this year’s event, Janney arrived in a glamorous gown lined with pink feathers, looking just as elegant as her onscreen counterpart—though not nearly as ruthless as her Diplomat character, President Grace Penn. 

For Janney, playing the political leader has been even more rewarding than earning accolades for her work. 

As she shared following her 2026 nomination, “I’m absolutely delighted and grateful to the Television Academy. Playing Grace Penn continues to be one of the great privileges of my career.”

Whitford, meanwhile, looked dapper as ever when he walked the Creative Emmy Awards red carpet days earlier with his wife Amy Landecker. The 66-year-old donned a timeless suit and bow tie to the Sept. 6 festivities, while the Transparent actress wore a sequined blue and gold number by his side. 

After receiving his Outstanding Guest Actor in a Drama Series nomination—the award ultimately went to The Pitt’s Ernest Harden Jr. at the earlier ceremony—in July, Whitford kept his reaction short and simple.

Under a picture of his The Diplomat character Todd Penn, The Handmaid’s Tale star wrote on Instagram, “Shucks…”

Though his and Janney’s onscreen ease was enough to earn them acting nods, Whitford agreed that pretending to be in love came with its own set of challenges.

"It’s kind of funny for us to be married,” he admitted to Netflix’s Tudum. “She said that kissing me is like kissing her brother.”

Nevertheless, Janney is happy that of all people, Whitford was cast as Grace’s partner.

“It’s great that it’s Brad because we have such a relationship already,” she added. “We have years together.”

Overall, The Diplomat earned seven nominations, including nods for stars Keri Russell and Rufus Sewell, as well as nominations for writing, casting and for Outstanding Drama Series. 

For more couples on the 2026 Emmys red carpet, read on. 

—Reporting by Nikki Novak