Fourteen years after it went off the air,
The West Wing is coming back and the entire gang is coming with it. Writer/Director Aaron Sorkin’s famed political TV drama, which followed all the wise-cracking and pontificating staffers inside President Josiah Bartlet’s fictional White House, will reunite this autumn for a staged theatrical production of an episode from the show’s third season that will stream on HBO Max (and exact date hasn’t been confirmed as of yet).The staged reading of the episode “Hartsfield’s Landing,” which first aired waaaaay back in 2002, will include original cast members Rob Lowe, Dulé Hill, Allison Janney, Janel Moloney, Richard Schiff, Bradley Whitford, and Martin Sheen. The reunion special’s official title is
A West Wing Special to Benefit When We All Vote; When We All Vote is a non-profit, nonpartisan organization co-chaired by Michelle Obama with an aim to increase voter participation.So you know what that means! Yes, Michelle Obama will make an appearance in the special to deliver a brief message.[video_embed id='2017790']RELATED: Michelle Obama delivers searing speech at Democratic National Convention, Trump reacts[/video_embed]According to
Deadline,
The West Wing reunion special will shoot sometime in October over multiple days at the Orpheum Theatre in L.A and will follow strict COVID-19 precautions and guidelines to ensure the safety of all involved. Sorkin will write additional new material for the special, while original executive producer Thomas Schlamme will serve as director of the production.“Tommy and I are incredibly excited to be getting
The West Wing cast back together for this staged reading and to support When We All Vote in their efforts to get all of us involved in this election,” said Sorkin in a statement.Sarah Aubrey, head of original content at HBO Max, added, “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.”“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,” she continued.This isn’t the first time President Bartlet and co. have reunited for an election year. Back in 2016, the cast
campaigned for Hillary Clinton’s Presidential bid, with Allison Janney, aka C.J. Cregg, making a surprise appearance in the White House briefing room.
So while we
still do not have that much-anticipated and long-awaited
Friends reunion on HBO Max, we will at least be able to relive some of the best must-see-TV from the same era.[video_embed id='-1']Before you go: Jen Aniston, Lisa Kudrow and Courteney Cox had a ‘Friends’ reunion encouraging fans to vote[/video_embed]
