Allison Janney Jokes Why She Will Spoon, Not Kiss Bradley Whitford
Zendaya, Selena Gomez & More Best Dressed Celebrities on the Emmys Red Carpet
It’s been 20 years since Allison Janney and Bradley Whitford were walking and talking together on The West Wing.
Since making history together in the halls of a fictional White House headed by Martin Sheen’s President Bartlet, Janney won the trophy for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series at the 2026 Emmys Sept. 14 for her performance, again, alongside Whitford, this time in The Diplomat. In fact, the Juno star joked that while she's enjoyed starting a new chapter with her friend, she has boundaries for how far she'll go in their new roles as onscreen spouses.
"I said, Debora, do not write any bedroom scenes, please," Janney said during Live from E!: 2026 Emmys, referring to head writer Debora Cahn. "She did write one. We were in a fight, and we got into bed and just curled up, snuggled. But you know, that's about as far as I want to go with that."
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.
Jesse Grant/NBC
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.
Photo by Scott Kirkland/FXX via Getty Images
"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
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Jimmy Kimmel & Molly McNearney
The late night host and his wife put their chemistry on display on the red carpet.
Monica Schipper/Getty Images
Kaley Cuoco & Tom Pelphrey
Baby on board. The Flight Attendant alum and the Task actor attend the Emmys 2026 just four months after confirming Cuoco's pregnancy.
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Jon Hamm & Anna Osceola
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Grant Snow & Katherine LaNasa
No need to check the pulse on this sweet pair. The Pitt actress is supported by her husband of 12 years on the Emmys 2026 red carpet.
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Harrison Ford & Calista Flockhart
The Indiana Jones alum goes classic to let his wife's magenta gown take center stage.
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Kayla Radomski & Jason Segel
There's no shrinking the love for this pair. The Shrinking alum is supported by his longtime partner at the Emmys 2026.
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Stephen Colbert & Evelyn McGee
A perfect pair, and some plaid. The Late Show host goes classic, while his wife took center stage in a grand plaid gown.
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Jason Bateman & Amanda Anka
The Emmy winner and his wife of 25 years go classic on the red carpet.
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John Mulaney & Olivia Munn
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Brenda Song & Macaulay Culkin
This duo is running point on the Emmys 2026 red carpet. The Suite Life alum and Home Alone star step out together.
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Mariska Hargitay & Peter Hermann
What's better than a date? Bringing the whole family. The Emmys 2026 host is joined by husband and their kids Andrew Hermann, Amaya Hermann and August Hermann.
Amy Sussman/Getty Images
Matthew Rhys & Keri Russell
A couple that Emmys together, stays together. The 2026 nominees turn their big night into a sweet date.
Monica Schipper/Getty Images
Lisa Rinna & Harry Hamlin
The Real Housewives alum and her husband put their nearly 30 years of marriage on display.
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