Series synopsis
Mister Sterling is an American drama war & politics television series that premiered on NBC on January 10, 2003. It ended on March 14, 2003. It was created by Lawrence O'Donnell. It stars Josh Brolin, Audra McDonald, William Russ and David Norona.
Mister Sterling is an American television serial drama created by Lawrence O'Donnell that ran from January to March in 2003. It starred Josh Brolin as an idealistic United States Senator, and featured Audra McDonald, William Russ, David Noroña, and James Whitmore as members of his staff. Despite mostly positive reviews, the show, which aired on NBC on Friday nights, was cancelled after 10 episodes after the show only ranked 58th in the yearly ratings
Although it had numerous similarities to The ...
Premise
Mister Sterling is an American television serial drama created by Lawrence O'Donnell that ran from January to March in 2003. It starred Josh Brolin as an idealistic United States Senator, and featured Audra McDonald, William Russ, David Noroña, and James Whitmore as members of his staff. Despite mostly positive reviews, the show, which aired on NBC on Friday nights, was cancelled after 10 episodes after the show only ranked 58th in the yearly ratings
Although it had numerous similarities to The West Wing in style and tone, 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 cancelled; 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 US Senate on Mr 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.
Cast and characters
Leading cast
- Josh Brolin as Bill Sterling
- Audra McDonald as Jackie Brock
- William Russ as Tommy Doyle
- David Norona as Leon Montero
Guest cast
- Jenna Jameson as Self
- Portia De Rossi as Lauren Barnes
- Tom Virtue as Senator Bowles
- Blake Lindsley
- George D. Wallace
- Barbara Tarbuck
- Graham Greene as Senior Senator Jackson
- Josh Clark as Gerry
- Vaughn Armstrong as Warden
- D. C. Douglas as Danny
- Chandra West as Laura Chandler
- Diana Maria Riva
Episodes
This series spans 1 season with 10 episodes.
| Season | Episodes | First aired | Last aired |
|---|---|---|---|
| Season 1 | 10 | January 10, 2003 | March 14, 2003 |
| Episode | Title | Air date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |
Pilot Bill Sterling must fill a vacancy left by the death of an incumbent. |
January 10, 2003 |
| 2 |
Next Question Senator Sterling fields questions during his first official press conference and against the advice of his Chief of Staff Jackie Brock responds to the dreaded drug issue, opening the flood gates for his political foes. Prompted by his son's uncomfortable appearance behind the podium former California Governor Bill Sterling Sr. heads to Washington D.C. to offer some political advice. Elsewhere, Senior Senator Jackson preys on the naïve Sterling's admiration, asking for his endorsement on a questionable bill. Meanwhile, Tommy Doyle and Leon Montero attempt to come up with a suitable answer for the drug question. |
January 17, 2003 |
| 3 |
Game Time Days after taking office, Senator Sterling is pushed by a determined Jackie to make a life-altering decision to begin his campaign for reelection. As the Senator grapples with this commitment, former chief-of-staff Arthur Peyton goes shopping for a billion-dollar Democratic candidate while the Republicans anoint a wealthy businesswoman of their own to run in California. Elsewhere, Leon struggles with his relationship with roommate Laura Chandler who is Sterling's media adversary. William Russ also stars. |
January 24, 2003 |
Production
Release
| Original network/platform | NBC |
|---|---|
| First aired | January 10, 2003 |
| Last aired | March 14, 2003 |
| Runtime | 60 minutes |
| Status | Ended |
| Schedule | Friday at 20:00:00 |