10 Characters Who Disappeared Without An Explanation

Summary

• Characters in “The West Wing” had unexplained disappearances without closure.
• Mandy, played by Allison Smith, was a White House Communications Director who abruptly left the show mid-season.
• Her departure was abrupt and left fans confused.

The West Wing is widely considered one of the best television dramas about the political landscape in America. It remains one of Aaron Sorkin’s greatest projects, and the show’s quality rarely dipped throughout its seven-season run. The acclaimed show follows Democratic United States President Josiah Bartlet (Martin Sheen) and his tenure as a two-term president, focusing on the work done in the White House as his cabinet ran the country daily while avoiding attacking either side of the political spectrum.

The series was also a huge success, winning a then-record nine Emmy wins for its first season and winning Outstanding Drama Series in four consecutive seasons. Since The West Wing’s seven seasons follow more than eight years (three different Presidential terms in the show’s fictional world), there would be plenty of changes in the cast, including notable departures from staple actors like Rob Lowe. This was especially true after Aaron Sorkin left the series and then toward the end, when some of the cast departed as ratings dropped. And some characters seemed to disappear without an explanation.

Mandy Hampton

Played By Moira Kelly

Mandy is the paradigm of disappeared The West Wing characters, so much so that the trope of disappearing characters (aka going to “Mandyville”) is named after her. Moira Kelly starred only in the first season as Mandy Hampton, a political consultant for President Bartlett. Her recruitment to work for the Bartlett administration is an important storyline at the beginning of the series, but when season 2 arrives, she is nowhere to be seen. She is never referenced again over the subsequent six seasons.

It was possibly intended to have her and Josh enter a romantic relationship, but Sorkin decided the character just wasn’t the right fit for the series. “Moira is a terrific actress, but we just weren’t the right thing for her,” Sorkin said about Kelly’s abrupt exit. “She expressed that she felt the same way, and as a result, story lines hadn’t been invested in that character because we knew that at the end of the year, we’d be shaking hands and parting company.”

Sam Seaborn

Played By Rob Lowe

While Mandyville is home to several supporting characters, one foundational main West Wing character is also a resident. Rob Lowe was part of the main cast for the first four seasons. He played Sam Seaborn, the Deputy White House Communications Director, but Rob Lowe left The West Wing as the character became less important. Unlike Mandy, Sam at least got better treatment in explaining how he would leave, but there were some cracks in the logic and execution.

Rob Lowe returned as Sam Seaborn in season 7.

Sam unexpectedly launched a campaign for Congress in California, and it was heavily implied that he would lose and thus return to the White House. However, that didn’t happen. He was replaced by Joshua Malina’s Will Bailey and not heard from again until the end of the series, when he was recruited to become Deputy White House Chief of Staff for President Santos. It’s not strange that Sam left, but it was weird that his existence hadn’t been acknowledged for years.

Ainsley Hayes

Played By Emily Procter

Unfortunately, it seems that the entire White House Counsel’s office became residents of Mandyville. Ainsley Hayes, played by Emily Proctor, was an exciting addition to the series in season 2, and it seemed like she could be there to stay. She was incredibly charismatic and charming, and as a conservative in the White House, she would’ve enhanced the political discourse – plus, she had a good connection with Sam. Nevertheless, she vanished in season 3.

Like Sam, Ainsley also returned briefly in the final season, taking up the position of White House Counsel for the Santos administration. She was also barely referenced following her departure, which wasn’t explained. However, this was likely due to Proctor joining the main cast of CSI: Miami. Had she stayed, she could’ve evolved beyond the poor treatment she initially received, which hasn’t aged well for The West Wing in today’s society.

Oliver Babbish

Played By Oliver Platt

Oliver Babish (Oliver Platt) served as the main White House Counsel for the series. He was the fifth person to serve in that role under President Bartlett. Although he dropped off the map in season 3, it was still implied that he retained his position until the end of the Bartlett administration — and it was also implied that he became the Attorney General for President Santos.

However, he disappeared until season 7 to participate in the White House’s internal investigation into the military shuttle leak. Plenty of legal issues before this could’ve used his sharp wit and relentless diligence. The White House Counsel’s office was naturally referenced occasionally, but he was never featured. Regardless of his limited appearances and later disappearance, Oliver Platt still received an Emmy nomination in 2001 for his West Wing role.

Joe Quincy

Played By Matthew Perry

Following Ainsley as Associate White House Counsel was a fellow Republican, Joe Quincy. He was played by Friends’ Matthew Perry in a complete departure from his role as the funny Chandler Bing, though Joe had some good comedic bits in The West Wing. Like Ainsley, Joe is a great addition to the established cast and could’ve lasted long past his short run. His introduction was quite fun as Josh realized Joe Quincy was a Republican applying to work for a Democratic president.

Joe was integral in revealing Vice President John Hoynes’ (Tim Matheson) extramarital affairs, forcing Hoynes to resign from his position of power. He was back in the fifth season as part of a storyline that saw him negotiating the retirement of the ailing Chief Justice Roy Ashland (Milo O’Shea). Matthew Perry’s two West Wing storylines in two different seasons only accounted for three total episodes. However, despite his lack of screentime, Perry earned two Emmy nominations for his performances in the show.

Jordon Kendall

Played By Joanna Gleason

After President Bartlett revealed to the American public that he was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis, his Chief of Staff, Leo McGarry, was under extreme fire by political opponents for keeping the secret. He hired Jordon Kendall (Joanna Gleason) as his lawyer. She helped counsel him for a time, though he still ended up acting largely as he normally would. She was highly capable and intelligent, there to do a good job.

However, Leo’s charisma and confidence wormed their way into her heart. They had a sweet romantic relationship throughout seasons 3 and 4. The President also reached out to her to get advice on how to deal with Abdul Ibn Shareef’s assassination “College Kids.” However, Jordon eventually disappeared without a trace, and season 4 was the last season she was seen on the show. She didn’t even appear at Leo’s funeral in season 7.

Cliff Calley

Played By Mark Feuerstein

Although the series largely showcased a liberal point-of-view and painted conservatives as antagonists, some of the best characters in The West Wing come from that sphere. Ainsley and Joe are good examples, as is Arnold Vinick (Alan Alda), a great senator who could’ve made a good president. Another such character is Cliff Calley (Mark Feuerstein). In season 3, Cliff was introduced as the Majority Counsel for the House Government Reform and Oversight Committee.

He briefly connects with Donna Moss (Janel Moloney) while investigating her. Unlike his colleagues, he is shown to be compassionate and fair, not letting party ambitions dictate his job. He even helps Leo McGarry avoid testifying by manufacturing a delay. He then disappeared without any explanation. He did return in season 6 and was hired as White House Deputy Chief of Staff by CJ Craig. However, the election plot in the final season was the main focus, so he does not feature in any White House segments.

Cathy

Played By Suzy Nakamura

There was a steady rotation of White House staffers throughout The West Wing, but some were more consistent, like Carol, CJ’s assistant, or Bonnie, Toby’s assistant. Cathy, the Assistant to Deputy Communications Director Sam Seaborn, did not last as long. Like Mandy, she only appeared in season 1. She was in the background for several episodes but never got major focus. The show didn’t give her a last name, and she didn’t do much, but Cathy remained a memorable face.

Had she stayed on The West Wing, she likely would’ve figured in the same way as her fellow assistants. Suzy Nakamura, who played Cathy, has since gone on to several other TV roles. Nakamura called The West Wing: “The best pilot I had ever read. I auditioned for two parts, so when I got the call that I was cast, I didn’t know who I’d be playing! At the first table read, Rob Lowe hadn’t been cast yet, so (series creator) Aaron Sorkin read for him and I remember thinking, ‘He’s pretty good.” (via Nichi Bei News).

Gina Toscano

Played By Jorja Fox

Each of President Bartlett’s daughters got their time in the spotlight in The West Wing, but none one more than Zoe Bartlett, played by The Handmaid’s Tales‘ Elisabeth Moss. Her story involves her relationship with Charlie Kelly, but her most impactful arc is when she is kidnapped in season 4. Jorja Fox was with her for that ride as Gina Toscano, one of Zoey’s Secret Service agents. Ahead of the dramatic kidnapping, it looked like Gina could’ve been a consistent recurring character.

However, following her failure to protect Zoey, she didn’t reappear. There was no explanation for what happened to Gina on The West Wing, but her last appearance was in a shootout, and it seemed she would play a prominent role in the series in the future. While Gina’s abrupt exit was surprising, Fox left when she read for and was cast in CSI. She said Aaron Sorkin wished her the best and said, “Good luck… if it’s canceled, call me, and we’ll put you back on The West Wing” (via Collider).

Lionel Tribbey

Played By John Larroquette

There are plenty of great one-episode characters from The West Wing, but at the top of the list for many fans would surely be John Larroquette as Lionel Tribbey, the White House Counsel. He is incredibly funny from the first moment he rages into Leo’s office with the cricket bat. Despite his outspoken and brash nature, he is still very respected as a legal mind, and compared to his colleagues in the Bartlett administration, he is far more progressive in favor of affirmative action and public education.

This was likely always intended as a single-season appearance, and Larroquette certainly took advantage of it. He left an impact and big shoes to fill. Lionel appeared as the White House Counsel in season 2, and he often shows frustration with President Bartlet’s moderate politics. However, in season 3, The West Wing replaces Tribbey with a new White House Council member, Oliver Babish, and there is no explanation given at all for the change or any reason that Lionel left.