Meet the Staff of HBO’s ‘Veep,’ With Julia Louis-Dreyfus

As a producer, Julia Louis-Dreyfus has a good eye for talent. Her first post-“Seinfeld” gig as producer-star was “Watching Ellie,” which featured none other than Steve Carell as a series regular. Louis-Dreyfus says Carell was the obvious choice the moment she saw his tape. And her series “The New Adventures of Old Christine” boasted a cast of supporting players that included Clark Gregg, Wanda Sykes, and Hamish Linklater.

For “Veep,” the producers and casting director Allison Jones have assembled another fantastic cast of players to portray the vice president’s staff.

Sufe Bradshaw as Sue Wilson, executive assistant
A prominent stage actor, Bradshaw has been seen on such comedies as “Mind of Mencia” and “The Hard Times of RJ Berger.” Says Louis-Dreyfus, “Sufe came in and was so comfortable with improvisation. She makes it look easy.”

Anna Chlumsky as Amy Brookheimer, chief of staff
The former child star (“My Girl”) appeared on “In the Loop” for “Veep” creators Armando Iannucci and Simon Blackwell. Louis-Dreyfus is herself a fan: “She was obviously great in ‘In the Loop.’ And she’s fantastic in this; we have a great time working together.”

Tony Hale as Gary Walsh, personal aide
Louis-Dreyfus didn’t get to work with Hale when she did an arc on “Arrested Development” but spends a lot of time with him on “Veep,” on which he plays Meyer’s groveling assistant. “He’s so inventive,” Louis-Dreyfus says. “He’s able to go anywhere and try anything.”

Timothy Simons as Jonah Ryan, White House liaison
Louis-Dreyfus says the part of Ryan was originally written for “a kind of tiny, schlubby guy”—essentially the physical opposite of Simons. “But he was so impressive that he just became the role.”

Reid Scott as Dan Egan, deputy director of communications
The “Big C” and “My Boys” star came in and “hit it out of the park,” according to Louis-Dreyfus. “You could tell right away he was something special.”

Matt Walsh as Mike McLintock, director of communications
A founder of Upright Citizens Brigade, Walsh has had many bit parts in film and television but finally lands a great breakout role as McLintock. “He is such a skilled comedian,” Louis-Dreyfus says. “And he has such a wonderful way of making really small business not only funny but real, all at the same time. That’s not an easy task.”