A White House Takeover: Allison Janney's Journey from Shy Actress to the Oval Office

Allison Janney, the seven-time Emmy winner and Hollywood's favorite character actress, has found herself in a surprising new role - President of the United States. In Netflix's political thriller, "The Diplomat," Janney plays Grace Penn, who ascends from Vice President to Commander-in-Chief, leaving her stunned and fans on the edge of their seats. During our Zoom conversation, Janney, seated in her home office with a pool view, is surrounded by playful barking as her niece's foster pit bull, Lilo, makes an appearance. This domestic scene is a stark contrast to the political drama unfolding on "The Diplomat." Remember our encounter at the after-party for "I, Tonya" almost a decade ago? I had confidently predicted Janney would take home the Oscar. Little did we know that she would indeed win as LaVona Golden, Tonya Harding's abusive mother, in 2018. Now, with her latest Emmy nomination and "The Diplomat" earning seven award bids, including for co-stars Keri Russell and Rufus Sewell, a second win could place Janney alongside Cloris Leachman and Julia Louis-Dreyfus as the most awarded female performer in history. While she humbly dismisses this achievement, Season 4 of "The Diplomat," which she calls a "doozy," has left relationships shattered. Grace and Hal Wyler (Rufus Sewell) have committed a morally questionable act that Kate Wyler (Keri Russell) now knows about, setting the stage for turbulent times ahead. Janney remains tight-lipped about the details but hints at potential international tensions and a possible war scenario. Intriguingly, she suggests that C.J. Cregg from "The West Wing" might not approve of Grace Penn's actions - or lack thereof when it comes to stealing a nuclear sub. Filming the inauguration sequence for "The Diplomat" was an emotional experience, especially considering the context of recent U.S. elections. "Everyone got quite emotional about it," Janney recalls. "It was a reminder that our country still struggles with the idea of a woman in the Oval Office." Despite playing two formidable Washington women on television and identifying with neither, Janney insists she has no political aspirations. "I am not these characters at all," she admits. "In real life, I am shy, and I do not enjoy speaking in front of people." Janney credits the dense dialogue and trust in actors' interpretation as key factors that make "The Diplomat" stand out. A scene between her and Bradley Whitford, where they prepare for bed after a fight without a word, is a testament to Cahn's skillful writing. Up next, Janney will grace the Broadway stage once again in Jon Robin Baitz's play "Other Desert Cities," starring alongside an all-star cast including Ed Harris, Lily Rabe, and Joe Keery. It marks her return to the stage after seven years since "Six Degrees of Separation." Theater, according to Janney, has been instrumental in avoiding typecasting throughout her career. "All the actors I admire most have come from the theater," she says. "And all 'West Wing' actors did too." Following her stint on Broadway, Janney will star in Justine Triet's "Fonda" alongside Odessa A'zion and Andrew Scott. Filming took place in France earlier this year, with Janney eagerly anticipating the movie's release. With an impressive career spanning from "The Hours" to "Juno," it comes as no surprise that fans often approach Janney on the street to discuss their favorite roles. However, there are still two roles she has yet to conquer - a superhero and a character in a horror film. "I was determined to become magic like Samantha Stevens from 'Bewitched' if I twitched the right body parts," she jokes about her childhood dream of becoming a superhero. As for the horror genre, she enthusiastically admits, "That would be really fun!"