Mister Sterling


Mister Sterling is an American drama television series created by Lawrence O'Donnell for NBC. The series ran from January 10 to March 14, 2003. Starring Josh Brolin as an idealistic United States Senator, the series featured Audra McDonald, William Russ, David Norona, and James Whitmore as members of his staff. The series aired on Friday nights and despite mostly positive reviews, it was canceled after 9 episodes aired. The show ranked 58th in the yearly ratings.
Although it had numerous similarities to The West Wing in style and tone and the unnamed president in the series is stated to be a Democrat, it was not set in the same universe as O'Donnell's other political show. It is unknown if a cross-over would have ever occurred had Mister Sterling not been canceled; however, Steven Culp played presidential aspirant Sen. Ron Garland on Mister Sterling and House Speaker Jeff Haffley on The West Wing, and Democrats appeared to be in the majority in the U.S. Senate on Mister Sterling, while in The West Wing consistent Republican control of both houses of Congress was a key plot point.
James Whitmore was nominated for a 2003 Emmy Award for Outstanding Guest Actor in a Drama Series for playing former Governor Bill Sterling, the senator's father.
The series was produced by Bernadette Joyce, co-producer; Garry A. Brown, co-producer; Michael Dinner, co-executive producer; Sandy Frank, co-producer; Jim Hart, co-executive producer; Jeff Melvoin, co-executive producer; Andrea Newman, producer; Lawrence O'Donnell, executive producer; Chip Vucelich, co-producer; William Bradley, consulting producer.

Cast

Characters

Senator Sterling's office

  • Senator Bill Sterling
  • Chief of Staff Jackie Brock
  • Legislative Director Tommy Doyle
  • Legislative Assistant Leon Montero
  • Secretary Pat Conway
  • Deputy Press Secretary Derek Larner

Senators

  • Senator Albert Bailey
  • *Sterling was appointed to his seat after Bailey died of a heart attack.
  • Senator Burt Gammel
  • *Senate Minority Leader
  • Senate Majority Leader
  • Senator Dan Wilson
  • Senator Jack "Thunder Hawk" Jackson
  • Senator Kate Robertson
  • *Elected in 1998.
  • Senator Millman
  • Senator Ron Garland
  • *Running for the Presidency.
  • Senator Bowles
  • Senator Dave Crandall
  • Senator Roger Morris
  • Senator Andersen
  • Senator Buckley
  • Senator Burke
  • Senator Carver
  • Senator Gilmartin
  • Senator Lane
  • Senator Eaton
  • Senator Porter
  • Senator Preston
  • Senator Raymond
  • Senator Smith
  • Senator Stanton
  • Senator Stewart
  • Senator Taylor
  • Senator Trimble
  • Senator Troy
  • Senator Grayson

Governors

  • Governor Carl Marino
  • Former Governor William Sterling

Lobbyist

  • Barry Reed

Democratic leadership

Senate contenders

This is a list of candidates who are running for the U.S. Senate seat currently held by Bill Sterling:

Democrat

  • Anthony Marino, son of the Governor
  • Chuck Stanley, millionaire
  • G.M. Clooney, coffee maker

Republican

  • Sarah Burwell
  • Congressman Bob "The Bomber" Brennan

Other