Why Did Ainsley Star Emily Procter Leave The West Wing? | TV & Radio

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Aaron Sorkin’s hugely popular series The West Wing has now been released in full on All 4. Not all of the characters appeared in every episode of the show, which has left some viewers wondering about why certain stars exited. One such character was Ainsley Hayes (played by Emily Procter) who left in season three - here’s everything you need to know about why she left.

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Why did Ainsley star Emily Procter leave The West Wing?

Fans of The West Wing will remember Ainsley Hayes was an Associate White House Counsel on the show.

She first appeared in season two of the political drama when she joined the Bartlet staff,

She was an ardent Republican, which meant she also clashed with some of the other characters over her stronger opinions.

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However, fans quickly took to the character and many were left confused when she left in season three.

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The West Wing cast: Why did Ainsley star Emily Procter leave The West Wing? (Image: SKY/HBO/GETTY)

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Since her exit, both the star and creator of the show Sorkin opened up about why she left.

Speaking to Empire Magazine, Sorkin explained how it was his biggest regret to not make her a series regular.

He said: “I made a mistake with Emily Procter. I loved her on the show and when I had a chance to lock her up as a series regular, I didn’t take it.

“Being conscious that I already had eight mouths to feed I didn’t want to be obligated to have the character in every episode, which I know now wouldn’t have been an obligation, it would have been a gift.

The West Wing cast: Fans loved Ainsley in the show (Image: HBO/SKY)

“And of course Emily was snatched up right away by another show - CSI: Miami - and of course it was a giant hit.

“I made plenty of mistakes on the show but none of them that big.”

Procter also opened up to the publication about her exit and how she didn’t realise Sorkin felt this way.

She said: “He and I have had this conversation and it’s one of those things where I think we misunderstood each other.

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The West Wing cast: Procter was cast in CSI: Miami (Image: HBO/SKY)

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“If I had in any way known that this was a possibility, I would have stayed there forever!

“They would have had to kick me out! As it was, when on my last episode, they said, ‘Do you need a box for your things?’

“I had to shut the door and cry because I didn’t want to go.”

Fans were pleased to see her return for a later episode of the series to reprise her role.

The West Wing cast: She left the show in season 3 (Image: HBO/SKY)

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She starred in season seven, episode 18 as a goodbye to her character in the show’s final series.

Aside from The West Wing, the actor is best known for her role as Calleigh Duquesne in CSI: Miami.

From 2002 until 2012, she starred in 232 episodes of the long-running drama.

Other projects have included White Collar, Love Everlasting and Submerged.

The West Wing is available to watch on All4 now.

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