The West Wing Cast to Reunite for HBO Max Special

One day when the dollar crashes and we move to an all-TV show reunion economy, HBO Max will certainly be sitting pretty. Despite its frustrated attempts to get a Friends reunion off the ground, HBO Max is moving forward with a special regarding another important WarnerMedia property: The West Wing.

HBO Max and West Wing creator Aaron Sorkin today announced that the cast of the landmark political series will be reuniting this fall for A West Wing Special to Benefit When We All Vote. As the uncommonly descriptive title reveals this West Wing special will raise awareness of issues of voting rights in America and benefit When We All Vote, a non-profit co-chaired by Michelle Obama. 

The special will reunite all members of The West Wing cast for the first time in 17 years including Rob Lowe, Dulé Hill, Allison Janney, Janel Moloney, Richard Schiff, Bradley Whitfordand Martin Sheen. The cast will put on a stage performance of season 3 episode “Hartsfield’s Landing.” Sorkin and executive  producer Thomas Schlamme will oversee the production, bringing Sorkin back to his playwright roots (A Few Good Men, To Kill a Mockingbird.) 

“With A West Wing Special to Benefit When We All Vote, we are excited to revisit this legendary series and offer our passionate fans something that is substantial, meaningful and unforgettable, while also promoting an important message for our time,” said Sarah Aubrey, head of original content, HBO Max. “Combined with WarnerMedia’s donation to When We All Vote, this special not only entertains, but also help ensure the organization can carry forth its mission to increase voter participation in every election.”

A West Wing Special to Benefit When We All Vote will shoot over multiple days at the Orpheum Theatre in downtown Los Angeles in October. It does not yet have a release date but will air in the fall in advance of the 2020 U.S. Presidential election. Sorkin is set to write some additional original material for the special, which will also feature special guest appearances, including a special message from Michelle Obama. 

The West Wing first premiered on NBC in 1999 and ran for seven seasons consisting of 156 episodes. The show originally followed the lives of behind-the-scenes White House staffers but over time evolved into a story of Jed Bartlet’s (Martin Sheen) presidency. The show has been both praised and criticized for its highly-idealized vision of a functioning executive branch with a competent head of state at the helm. 

“Hartsfield’s Landing” was the fourteenth episode of the third season. It follows the President engaging in both a literal and figurative game of chess while his campaign staffers sweat out crucial primary election results in a small New Hampshire town.