Character abstracts
Major roles
Danny Tripp (Bradley Whitford) is a director who takes over show-running duties with Matt Albie, his longtime friend. He has a history of drug problems, and worked on the show four years prior before leaving with Matt Albie over disagreements with network executives.
Matt Albie (Matthew Perry) is a former writer for Studio 60 who is asked to return when executive producer Wes Mendell is fired. Matt has recently ended a relationship with Studio 60 star Harriet Hayes.
Jordan McDeere (Amanda Peet) is the recently-promoted president of Studio 60's fictional network NBS (National Broadcasting System). She is described in the pilot as an "instantly likable 30-something" and "someone whom every man's wife can find an irrational reason to hate". She is responsible for the hiring of Danny and Matt.
Harriet Hayes (Sarah Paulson) is an "effortlessly sexy", "multi-talented" performer and one of the "Big Three" main stars of Studio 60. Harriet is a committed Christian and has recently ended a romantic relationship with Matt. Hayes is reportedly based on West Wing alumna Kristin Chenoweth, whom Sorkin once dated.
Tom Jeter (Nate Corddry) is another of the show's main stars. According to the pilot, "when he's not crafting a joke in his head, he's not sure what he's supposed to be doing".
Simon Stiles (D. L. Hughley) is the final member of the "Big Three". He attended the Yale School of Drama. Tom and Simon are united by their "mutual respect, their dedication to their show and nothing else".
Jack Rudolph (Steven Weber) is the chairman of the fictional network NBS and Jordan's boss. He fired Matt and Danny from Studio 60 four years prior to their taking it back over again.
Cal Shanley (Timothy Busfield) is the control-room director of Studio 60. He has two kids whom he's putting through private school. In the pilot, he allows Wes to rant unscripted for fifty-three seconds on live television, despite threats from network executive Jerry. Busfield had a recurring guest role on The West Wing and will also serve as producing director on the show.
Jerry Jones (Michael Stuhlbarg) works for NBS in the role of network censor. He is in control of Standards and Practices and is responsible for cutting a controversial sketch. The cut results in an on air rant from furious and resigned Wes.
Supporting roles
Ron Oswald (Evan Handler) and Ricky Beck (Carlos Jacott) are the current co-executive producers of Studio 60. In the pilot, they are portrayed as poor writers, "hacks," and command little professional respect from the stars of the show. Matt refers to them as Beavis and Hackboy. They are allegedly planning to take control of the show.
Wes Mendell (Judd Hirsch) is the former executive producer of Studio 60. His power is dwindling and he's becoming furious with the network for bowing down to the FCC and religious groups.
Wilson White (Ed Asner) is the Chairman of Tunney Media Group, parent company of the National Broadcasting System
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