The West Wing Cast: Where Are They Now?

Though President Bartlet had a National Security Advisor in the form of Nancy McNally for six of the seven seasons of the show, she was rarely featured as more than a background character. Her deputy, Kate Harper, was introduced at the back end of season five and became much more prominent, becoming the point of contact for the majority of security matters despite the continued existence of and regular references to her superior.

Mary McCormack is at least 10 years younger than the character she played, who had at least 20 years of naval and intelligence experience despite the actress being 35 when she won the role. Ahead of this she’d played small parts in the likes of Deep Impact and the 1994 remake of Miracle On 34th Street.

Since the West Wing’s conclusion, McCormack has fluttered from show to show. Her most successful run was on the USA Network’s In Plain Sight, which ran for five seasons, whilst the other two shows she headlined were cancelled after just one. She’s also popped up in recurring roles on the likes of House of Lies, though her most notable undertaking as of late has been her numerous appearances on the gameshow 25 Words Or Less, which she also executive produces.