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December 06, 2004
'The West Wing' comes to small-town Ontario
CBC News Online
Last Updated Mon, 06 Dec 2004 14:37:44 EST
DUNDAS, ONT. - The West Wing, the NBC drama about White House intrigue, is shooting in Ontario this week – specifically the small community of Dundas.
Located close to Hamilton, Dundas was chosen by the show's producers to stand in for Manchester, N.H., in a storyline about the race to replace Josiah Bartlet, the fictional Democratic president played by Martin Sheen.
The three-episode arc – which will air in late January and early February – will focus on Matt Santos, the Texas congressman played by Jimmy Smits.
Stars Bradley Whitford and Tim Matheson made the trip to Dundas, along with Smits.
Whitford plays White House aide Josh Lyman. Matheson, known for his turn in the movie Animal House, plays disgraced vice president John Hoynes.
The stars took time out on Sunday to talk with a crowd of about 200 people who had gathered to watch the filming.
"Everybody has been so great and nice to us," Matheson told the Canadian Press after posing for photos and signing autographs for fans.
Among the onlookers was teenager Courtney Reilly-Larke, who has never seen The West Wing.
"There's nothing better to do on a Sunday in Dundas," she said of her reasons for checking out the shoot.
The West Wing's producers imported items from the real Manchester, including newspaper boxes and hockey jerseys, to give Dundas an authentic New England feel. Shooting continues in the town for the rest of the week.
Once a critical darling and a ratings smash, The West Wing has not been able to generate as much buzz since the departure of creator Aaron Sorkin.
On the show, Bartlet is serving the final months of his second term as president. It's not known if the show will continue with a new actor playing a new president.
Posted by Jo at December 6, 2004 05:31 PM