Editing Sam Seaborn (section)

==Casting==
The role of Sam Seaborn was initially offered to actor [[Bradley Whitford]], who had auditioned for the part of [[Josh Lyman]]. However, Whitford wanted and was eventually given the role of Josh,<ref>Sassone, Bob (May 7, 2006). [http://www.tvsquad.com/2006/05/07/a-look-back-at-the-west-wing-entertainment-weekly-in-60-seconds/ A look back at The West Wing: Entertainment Weekly in 60 seconds]. ''TV Squad''. Retrieved on December 15, 2007.</ref> and the part of Sam went to [[Rob Lowe]], whose audition, said show creator [[Aaron Sorkin]], "left our jaws on the floor".<ref>Sorkin, Aaron (2002). ''The West Wing Script Book''. New York: Newmarket Press.  {{ISBN|1-55704-499-6}}</ref>

When the show premiered, Seaborn was considered the lead, and the pilot centered on the character.  But the acclaimed cast of the show—including [[Allison Janney]], [[Richard Schiff]], [[Dulé Hill]], [[John Spencer (actor)|John Spencer]], Whitford, and [[Martin Sheen]] (whose role as President was initially scripted as a small role) and [[Stockard Channing]] (whose [[First Lady of the United States|First Lady]] was initially scripted as a guest role)— were all strong actors and eventually Lowe's character was no longer the lead. Lowe and series creator [[Aaron Sorkin]] soon found themselves at odds over the network's meddling with the show, most notably the network demanding changes in the Sam Seaborn character. Eventually, Lowe left the series.<ref>{{Cite web |title=What really made Rob Lowe quit ''The West Wing''? |author1=Lynette Rice |author2=Nicholas Fonseca |date=2022-06-17 |url=https://ew.com/article/2002/08/09/what-really-made-rob-lowe-quit-west-wing/ |access-date=2023-11-26 |website=Entertainment Weekly |language=en}}</ref>

Lowe's performance as Seaborn received a Emmy nomination, two Golden Globes nominations, three Screen Actors Guild Awards nominations and a Satellite Award win.