Bradley Whitford Joins Star-Studded Cast of Upcoming ‘Yellowstone’ Spinoff—Release Date, Plot & More

Bradley Whitford is having a pop-culture moment this October, surfacing in both a nostalgia-soaked horror parody for Gushers candy and the newly announced third season of Netflix’s political thriller “The Diplomat.” The Emmy-winning “West Wing” alum, 65, has fans clicking for updates on his latest projects, generating a surge of search interest around his name. FruitHead: Whitford’s grisly return to horror Gushers has resurrected its famously bizarre ’90s commercials in a seven-minute short film titled “FruitHead,” directed by viral-video auteur Mike Diva. Whitford plays a cynical commercial director who’s hunted by a former child actor (Chester Collins) cursed to live with a life-size fruit head after filming the original ad. “We’re just trying to traumatize a new generation,” Whitford joked, calling the campaign “a brilliant limb” of brand storytelling. The darkly comedic spot dropped online on Oct. 9 and will screen at the Brooklyn Horror Film Festival, positioning Whitford once again at the intersection of humor and terror that made his turn in “Get Out” unforgettable. Reuniting with Allison Janney in “The Diplomat” Hot on the heels of “FruitHead,” Whitford is set to reunite with fellow “West Wing” veteran Allison Janney in Season 3 of “The Diplomat.” Janney’s character, Grace Penn, now occupies the Oval Office, while Whitford joins as Todd Penn, the sharp-tongued First Gentleman who adds domestic tension to the international intrigue. The casting brings two decades of on-screen chemistry back to a White House setting, enticing fans of the original NBC classic and bolstering Netflix’s fall lineup. Why Whitford’s buzz matters • Cross-genre appeal: From “Get Out” to “The Handmaid’s Tale,” Whitford’s knack for balancing menace and wit keeps audiences—and algorithms—engaged. • 90s nostalgia + horror: “FruitHead” taps millennials’ childhood memories while feeding the current appetite for bite-size, viral horror content. • Prestige TV synergy: “The Diplomat” reunites Whitford with Janney under showrunner Debora Cahn, herself a “West Wing” alum, giving political-drama viewers an irresistible hook. What’s next With Hulu’s final season of “The Handmaid’s Tale” still on the horizon and “FruitHead” trending on TikTok, Whitford’s media presence is poised to grow through awards season. Expect his name to dominate searches as trailers, interviews and behind-the-scenes clips roll out in the coming weeks. Bottom line Whether he’s haunting your sweet tooth or sparring in the Situation Room, Bradley Whitford is proving once again that witty gravitas—and a willingness to get weird—make for must-click entertainment in 2025.