Allison Janney's Nerves, Martin Sheen's McDonald's Shift, a Clinton Connection and More — InsideWest WingBookWhat's Next

Mar. 15, 2025

Martin Sheen as President Bartlett; ‘What’s Next’ book.Photo:James Sorensen/NBCU Photo Bank/Getty; Dutton

James Sorensen/NBCU Photo Bank/Getty; Dutton

TheseWest Wingactresses aretaking fans deep into the political drama series.

Melissa Fitzgerald and Marry McCormack, who portrayed Carol and Kate, respectively, on the 26-time Emmy-winning show, joined forces to writeWhat’s Next: A Backstage Pass To The West Wing, Its Cast And Crew, And Its Enduring Legacy Of Service.

Throughout the book, Fitzgerald and McCormack tell stories of auditions, the making of the pilot episode, guest stars plus secrets about fan-favorite episodes and pivotal series moments. Despite going off the air almost 20 years ago, the beloved political drama makes a great rewatch — especially during an election cycle.

Some A-list actors were nervous when appearing on the show. One of the former presidents enjoyed the show so much that he took DVD copies of it everywhere he went. Plus, wheredidthat infamous Sorkin walk-and-talk formula come from?

Here are the biggest bombshells fromWhat’s Next: A Backstage Pass To The West Wing, Its Cast And Crew, And Its Enduring Legacy Of Service.

Allison Janney Was Nervous to Audition for C. J. Cregg

Allison Janney as Claudia Jean ‘C.J.’ Cregg.James Sorensen/NBCU Photo Bank/Getty

James Sorensen/NBCU Photo Bank/Getty

DespiteAllison Janney’s prior acting experience, she was nervous during her audition for C.J. Cregg. When she arrived at the studio for her audition, there were over 20 casting directors and dozens of actors (working on other shows), which Janney, 64, thought were all forThe West Wing.

Kevin Scott, the casting director, recalled she was “a nervous wreck” heading into her audition.

“Her eyes were, like, bugged out. I had to hold her hand and calm her down in the waiting room: ‘It’s gonna be fine, it’s gonna be fine,” Scott recalled, adding that had to explain to Janney what she was about to experience. “You’re gonna go into the room and see John Wells,” he said, according toWhat’s Next. “You’re gonna see Aaron Sorkin, you’re gonna see [director] Tommy Schlamme.”

Retrospectively, it was “comical” to reflect on Janney’s perspective. “When we think about how uniquely perfect she was for the role, to the point that it seems now to have been written for her, it’s hard to fathom the bout of insecurity she experienced in the audition’s aftermath.”

Rob Lowe Negotiated Only One Audition forThe West Wingtime

Rob Lowe as Sam Seaborn.James Sorensen/NBCU Photo Bank/Getty

When auditioning for Sam Seaborn,Rob Lowe’s manager Bernie Brillstein said he was only interested in doing one read. Casting director John Levey said that Lowe “wouldn’t do chemistry readings with any other actors, wouldn’t test at the studio, wouldn’t test at the network.”

Lowe, of course, absolutely nailed the audition for the deputy White House communications director. Reflecting on the audition over 20 years later, Lowe said that he “loved auditioning with Aaron … I couldn’t wait to do it. He and I immediately — I honestly don’t think it’s an overstatement to say — fell in love.”

Aaron Sorkin; Bill Clinton.Steve Granitz/FilmMagic; Slaven Vlasic/Getty

Steve Granitz/FilmMagic; Slaven Vlasic/Getty

If anyone was wondering where the infamous walk-and-talk scenes came, there’s an explanation that involves real people — includingGeorge Stephanopoulos!

BeforeThe West Wing, director Tommy Schlamme and his family stayed in the Lincoln Bedroom at the White House. While standing outside of the Oval Office waiting to speak tothen-president Bill Clinton, Schlamme “witnessed a moment that would come to define what he calls ‘the movement of the show.’ "

“I remember the doors opening up and Stephanopoulos and other staffers coming out, talking to each other, some going this way, some going that way,” he said. “It never stops, they’re constantly juggling, there was never downtime,” he said. That continuous energy became an important part ofThe West Wingformula.

Aaron Sorkin Was Unsure If Bradley Whitford’s Character Would Survive the Assassination Attempt inThe West WingSeason 1 Finale

Bradley Whitford as Josh Lyman.NBCU Photo Bank/Getty

NBCU Photo Bank/Getty

Not even creator Aaron Sorkin was certain about the outcome of the pivotal moment ofThe West Wingseason 1 finale, whereBradley Whitford’s Josh Lyman got shot.

Whitford, 64, said that in filming the episode involving the assassination attempt, no one knew who got shot in the first place. While the show was on hiatus ahead of season 2, he got a call from Sorkin, 63, telling him “it’s you.”

“And he said it like it was a compliment!” Whitford recalled. “In that moment, all I could think was, I’m unemployed … But Aaron quickly reassured me that Josh would survive.”

Sorkin didn’t tell Schlamme about Lyman, either. Though they spoke about several possible scenarios, no one knew exactly what happened in the finale until season 2 was filming.

Glenn Close Was Nervous to JoinThe West WingAs Supreme Court Justice Evelyn Baker Lang

Glenn Close as Supreme Court Justice Evelyn Baker Lang.NBCU Photo Bank/Getty

Fans may have not realized thatGlenn Closewas tense when on set forThe West Wingfor the first time as Supreme Court Justice Evelyn Baker Lang. Director Jessica Yu recalled the moment that surprised her while filming the season 5 episode.

“Everyone introduced themselves, and [Glenn] sat down and said, ‘I want you all to know that I’m very nervous,’” she recalled. “She wasn’t trying to disarm everyone else.”

“[A West Wing episode] is a different thing — the pace of shooting, these speeches that you have to learn … the pace of the scenes themselves … She was nervous," Yu added.

Martin Sheen Once Operated a McDonalds Drive Thru After Filming on Location ofThe West Wing

Martin Sheen as President Barlet.James Sorensen/NBCU Photo Bank/ Getty

James Sorensen/NBCU Photo Bank/ Getty

Makeup artist Greg LaCava shared a memorable moment fromThe West Wingthat involvedMartin Sheen. One of many anecdotes that the book includes is a McDonald’s visit that turned into a drive-through shift for the onscreen president.

While on location shooting Barlet in the presidential motorcade, they passed a McDonald’s and Sheen went inside. “Martin — being Martin — went inside to say hello to everybody, which means, of course, that he’s got to get everyone’s name,” LaCava said.

The actor then asked the restaurant employees if they needed “any help in the drive-through,” and he joined in on their shift. “All of a sudden, he’s working the window, taking orders — he even has on the headset! You should’ve seen them when they pulled up for their burgers and fries,” LaCava recalled.

“That’s the thing with Martin,” he continued, “no matter the job, onThe West Wingor at the drive-through, it’s an occupational hazard — he just loves to meet new people.”

President Obama Was Such AWest WingFan That He Watched the Show All Throughout His 2008 Campaign

Former president Barack Obama’s former aide Reggie Love revealed that Obama, 63, lovedThe West Wingso much he used to bring the seven seasons of it on DVD (remember those?) while on the campaign trail.

“I carried it the whole campaign because every night he would watch an episode or two,” Love said.

He also joked that he would be tired the next day after staying up too late watchingThe West Wing. “And there would be [times] where you’re like, ‘Man, you’re kinda draggin’. We got a big day today. Did you stay up watching five episodes ofThe West Winglast night?'”

When Obama was elected president and moved to the White House, he and Love would watch the show together. The former aide still has the DVDs.

Jessica Lange, James Earle Jones Were Among the Actors Considered for President Bartlet

Jessica Lange; James Earl Jones.Felix Hörhager/picture alliance via Getty; Mike Coppola/Getty

Felix Hörhager/picture alliance via Getty; Mike Coppola/Getty

Though it can be hard to imagine anyone but Sheen as President Bartlet, many other actors’ and actresses' names were tossed in the ring for the role.

Jack Lemmon, Bruce Dern, Donald Sutherland, Colin Powell, Johnny Carson, New York Yankees owner George Steinbrenner, Sidney Poiter, James Earl Jones, Clint Eastwood, Tom Brokaw, Walter Cronkite and Alan Alda were all candidates for the role.

Meanwhile, Helen Mirren, Blythe Danner, CCH Pounder, Glenn Close, Alfre Woodard, Stockard Channing, Jessica Lange, Jane Fonda, Sally Field and Carol Burnett were among the actresses considered, if they went with a female president.

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What’s Next: A Backstage Pass To The West Wing, Its Cast And Crew, And Its Enduring Legacy Of Serviceis available now, wherever books are sold.

source: people.com