The Show’s Inception
Aaron Sorkin developed the show following the success of the 1995 film The American President, of which he wrote the screenplay. Sheen received a promotion on the show — in the film he played the White House Chief of Staff. Originally, Sorkin planned on having Sam Seaborn as the center of the series, the Deputy Communications Director (played by Rob Lowe). He intended on leaving the President in a secondary, or unseen, role. However, as the show progressed, the President’s role expanded, and the fans favored his appearances. So Sorkin decided to flush out the character of President Bartlet and put him in more episodes.
