One of The Umbrella Academy's biggest antagonists, the Handler, was an original character created just for the show, but the part was actually written for a surprising actor. The Handler, played by Kate Walsh, is a high-ranking member of the Temps Commission, the organization that oversees the management of the space-time continuum within the show's narrative. The Handler was mostly a behind-the-scenes player in The Umbrella Academy season 1 before becoming a more direct threat to the titular super-powered siblings in season 2.
With new antagonists in the form of the Sparrow Academy teased for season 3 and the Handler's story coming to a natural conclusion in season 2, Kate Walsh's turn as the character may well be over. However, given that she was a major player in the immensely powerful Temps Agency, it's not outside the realm of possibility that she may return in some capacity for future seasons. Regardless of whether or not the Handler will return, she was an integral part of The Umbrella Academy's seasons 1 and 2, and Kate Walsh put a distinct spin on the character that will be missed should her death prove permanent.
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While Walsh was perfect in the role, the part of the Handler was originally written for someone very different. Speaking with Spotify's Behind The Scenes podcast, Walsh revealed that the part of The Umbrella Academy's villain was actually originally written with Jon Hamm in mind; it was only offered to her after he had passed on the role. The revelation changes a lot about the Handler, particularly with an eye to how Hamm would have tackled the role in comparison to Walsh's performance.
Kate Walsh's version of
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