Archive Michael O’Neill Reflects On ‘The West Wing’, Being Educated By US Secret Service & More – TVWise

Fifteen years ago today, The West Wing premiered on NBC in the United States. Created by the now legendary Aaron Sorkin, the series has since set the benchmark for what, at its best, network drama can do.
The show had a strong regular cast with the likes of Martin Sheen, Allison Janney, John Spencer, Bradley Whitford, Richard Schiff and Rob Lowe; and over the course of seven seasons, The West Wing charted the ups and downs of the administration of Democratic President Josiah Bartlett.
More often than not the downs – such as shots being fired at the White House, an assassination attempt in Roslyn, Vriginia, and the abduction of First Daughter Zoe Bartlett – meant that veteran character actor Michael O’Neill would grace the screen as Ron Butterfield, the US Secret Service’s Special Agent in Charge of the Presidential Protection Detail.
Though appearing in only 19 of the show’s 154 episodes, O’Neill’s presence was always felt. To mark the 15th Anniversary of The West Wing, TVWise recently spoke with the actor – who most recently co-starred on the CBS series Extant – about his time on the show, how he got the part and much more.