Reduced Role
Rob Lowe played the Deputy White House Communications Director Sam Seaborn for four seasons. Seaborn was originally intended to be the main character on the series. During his audition, Sorkin said Lowe’s performance “left our jaws on the floor.” The show eventually started to focus more on President Bartlet (Martin Sheen), who was dealing with things such as multiple sclerosis, a re-election campaign, foreign policy, terrorism. These plots were not very inclusive of Lowe’s character due to his position in the West Wing as communications director. His character left the show in season four but made an appearance in the seventh and final season.
