Original sentence: But the acclaimed cast of the show — including Allison Janney, Richard Schiff, John Spencer, Bradley Whitford, Martin Sheen (whose President Bartlet was initially scripted as a small role) and Stockard Channing (whose First Lady was initially scripted as a guest role) — meant that Sam Seaborn could no longer be considered the lead character
Edited sentence: But the acclaimed cast — including Allison Janney, Richard Schiff, John Spencer, Bradley Whitford, Martin Sheen (whose President Bartlet was initially scripted as a small role) and Stockard Channing (whose First Lady was initially scripted as a guest role) — soon made the show into the hottest ensemble drama on TV, and Sam Seaborn could no longer be considered the lead character