Created by Aaron Sorkin, this serial drama follows fictional U.S. President Josiah “Jed” Bartlet (Martin Sheen) and his White House staff through both routine days and days of personal and international crises. Initial series characters included Chief of Staff Leo McGarry (John Spencer), Deputy Chief of Staff Josh Lyman (Bradley Whitford), Communications Director Toby Ziegler (Richard Schiff), Deputy Communications Director Sam Seaborn (Rob Lowe), Press Secretary C.J. Cregg (Allison Janney), and Presidential Aide Charlie Young (Dule Hill).