Release CalendarTop 250 MoviesMost Popular MoviesBrowse Movies by GenreTop Box OfficeShowtimes & TicketsMovie NewsIndia Movie Spotlight
    What's on TV & StreamingTop 250 TV ShowsMost Popular TV ShowsBrowse TV Shows by GenreTV NewsIndia TV Spotlight
    What to WatchLatest TrailersIMDb OriginalsIMDb PicksIMDb Podcasts
    OscarsBest Picture WinnersBest Picture WinnersEmmysSTARmeter AwardsSan Diego Comic-ConNew York Comic-ConSundance Film FestivalToronto Int'l Film FestivalAwards CentralFestival CentralAll Events
    Born TodayMost Popular CelebsMost Popular CelebsCelebrity News
    Help CenterContributor ZonePolls
For Industry Professionals
  • All
  • Titles
  • TV Episodes
  • Celebs
  • Companies
  • Keywords
  • Advanced Search
Watchlist
Sign In
  • Fully supported
  • English (United States)
    Partially supported
  • Français (Canada)
  • Français (France)
  • Deutsch (Deutschland)
  • हिंदी (भारत)
  • Italiano (Italia)
  • Português (Brasil)
  • Español (España)
  • Español (México)
Episode guide
  • Cast & crew
  • User reviews
  • Trivia
IMDbPro

The West Wing

  • TV Series
  • 1999–20061999–2006
  • TV-14TV-14
  • 44m
IMDb RATING
8.9/10
75K
YOUR RATING
POPULARITY
253
20
Rob Lowe, Martin Sheen, Allison Janney, Dulé Hill, Moira Kelly, Janel Moloney, Richard Schiff, John Spencer, and Bradley Whitford in The West Wing (1999)
Watch Trailer Season 1
Play trailer1:31
3 Videos
99+ Photos
Drama
Inside the lives of staffers in the West Wing of the White House.Inside the lives of staffers in the West Wing of the White House.Inside the lives of staffers in the West Wing of the White House.
IMDb RATING
8.9/10
75K
YOUR RATING
POPULARITY
253
20
  • See more at IMDbPro
    • Creator
      • Aaron Sorkin
    • Stars
      • Martin Sheen
      • Rob Lowe
      • Allison Janney
    Top credits
    • Creator
      • Aaron Sorkin
    • Stars
      • Martin Sheen
      • Rob Lowe
      • Allison Janney
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 286User reviews
    • 17Critic reviews
    Top rated TV #60
    • Won 26 Primetime Emmys
      • 120 wins & 264 nominations total

    Episodes155

    Browse episodes
    TopTop-rated

    Videos3

    A Guide to the Work of Aaron Sorkin
    Clip 5:24
    A Guide to the Work of Aaron Sorkin
    Trailer Season 1
    Trailer 1:31
    Trailer Season 1
    Why Sarah Wayne Callies Would Trust RuPaul and C.J. Cregg to Raise a Family
    Video 2:54
    Why Sarah Wayne Callies Would Trust RuPaul and C.J. Cregg to Raise a Family

    Photos981

    Rob Lowe, Martin Sheen, Allison Janney, Moira Kelly, John Spencer, Bradley Whitford, Kevin Foley, and Mandy Hampton in The West Wing (1999)
    Allison Janney in The West Wing (1999)
    Mary-Louise Parker in The West Wing (1999)
    The West Wing (1999)
    Janel Moloney, Richard Schiff, and Bradley Whitford in The West Wing (1999)
    Jimmy Smits and Ed O'Neill in The West Wing (1999)
    Ed O'Neill in The West Wing (1999)
    Melinda McGraw in The West Wing (1999)
    Martin Sheen and Allison Janney in The West Wing (1999)
    Mary McCormack in The West Wing (1999)
    The West Wing (1999)
    Joshua Malina in The West Wing (1999)

    Top cast

    Edit
    Martin Sheen
    Martin Sheen
    • President Josiah Bartlet
    155 episodes155 eps • 1999–2006
    Rob Lowe
    Rob Lowe
    • Sam Seaborn
    85 episodes85 eps • 1999–2006
    Allison Janney
    Allison Janney
    • C.J. Cregg
    155 episodes155 eps • 1999–2006
    John Spencer
    John Spencer
    • Leo McGarry
    155 episodes155 eps • 1999–2006
    Bradley Whitford
    Bradley Whitford
    • Josh Lyman
    155 episodes155 eps • 1999–2006
    Janel Moloney
    Janel Moloney
    • Donna Moss
    150 episodes150 eps • 1999–2006
    Richard Schiff
    Richard Schiff
    • Toby Ziegler
    145 episodes145 eps • 1999–2006
    Dulé Hill
    Dulé Hill
    • Charlie Young
    137 episodes137 eps • 1999–2006
    NiCole Robinson
    NiCole Robinson
    • Margaret Hooper…
    106 episodes106 eps • 1999–2006
    Melissa Fitzgerald
    Melissa Fitzgerald
    • Carol Fitzpatrick…
    102 episodes102 eps • 1999–2006
    Joshua Malina
    Joshua Malina
    • Will Bailey
    80 episodes80 eps • 2002–2006
    Stockard Channing
    Stockard Channing
    • Abbey Bartlet
    69 episodes69 eps • 1999–2006
    Kim Webster
    Kim Webster
    • Ginger…
    57 episodes57 eps • 1999–2006
    Kris Murphy
    Kris Murphy
    • Katie Witt…
    53 episodes53 eps • 1999–2005
    Timothy Davis-Reed
    Timothy Davis-Reed
    • Mark O'Donnell…
    52 episodes52 eps • 2000–2006
    Mary McCormack
    Mary McCormack
    • Kate Harper
    48 episodes48 eps • 2004–2006
    William Duffy
    William Duffy
    • Larry…
    47 episodes47 eps • 1999–2006
    Peter James Smith
    Peter James Smith
    • Ed…
    46 episodes46 eps • 1999–2006
    • Creator
      • Aaron Sorkin
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

    More like this

    The Newsroom
    8.6
    The Newsroom
    A West Wing Special to Benefit When We All Vote
    8.4
    A West Wing Special to Benefit When We All Vote
    Firefly
    9.0
    Firefly
    Seinfeld
    8.9
    Seinfeld
    Last Week Tonight with John Oliver
    8.9
    Last Week Tonight with John Oliver
    The Wire
    9.3
    The Wire
    Mad Men
    8.7
    Mad Men
    Band of Brothers
    9.4
    Band of Brothers
    House of Cards
    8.7
    House of Cards
    The Crown
    8.7
    The Crown
    The Sopranos
    9.2
    The Sopranos
    Curb Your Enthusiasm
    8.8
    Curb Your Enthusiasm

    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      Final project of John Spencer, who quit acting in movies to fully concentrate in his role as Leo McGarry (which earned him one Emmy and two SAG Awards).
    • Goofs
      In a couple of instances, Secret Service agents are seen holding an umbrella for a protectee. In reality, Secret Service agents must keep their hands free at all times.
    • Quotes

      Leo McGarry: This guy's walkin' down a street when he falls in a hole. The walls are so steep he can't get out. A doctor passes by and the guy shouts up, "Hey you! Can you help me out?" The doctor writes a prescription, throws it down in the hole, and moves on. Then a priest comes along and the guy shouts up, "Father, I'm down in this hole; can you help me out?" The priest writes out a prayer, throws it down in the hole and moves on. Then a friend walks by. "Hey, Joe, it's me. Can ya help me out?" And the friend jumps in the hole. Our guy says, "Are ya stupid? Now we're both down here." The friend says, "Yeah, but I've been down here before and I know the way out.

    • Crazy credits
      The special post-9/11 episode was broadcast without the regular opening credits. Instead, the episode began with the cast, out of character, speaking about the episode, followed by credits on a black screen.
    • Alternate versions
      The first airing of the episode "20 Hours in America" contained a scene between President Bartlet and the First Lady in which they good-naturedly tease each other, calling each other Medea and Jackass. This scene was not included in subsequent reruns because of commercial limitations and was also not included on the DVD.
    • Connections
      Featured in The 52nd Annual Primetime Emmy Awards (2000)
    • Soundtracks
      West Wing Main Title
      (uncredited)

      Written by W.G. Snuffy Walden

      Performed by Pete Anthony

    User reviews286

    Review
    Review
    Top review
    Long Live the Big Block of Cheese!
    As mentioned in a couple of episodes, Andrew Jackson kept a two-ton block of cheese in the foyer of the White House for the public. It was to remind everybody that The White House belongs to the people, and that their voice should always be heard and represented. Well, "West Wing" is a love poem to the ideals of a portion of America that has not had a voice in a long, long time. Be forewarned, this show is not a docudrama watered down or dumbed down in order not to offend the sensibilities of the mainstream. It is unabashedly - dare I say in these reactionary times - ultra-liberal and proud of it. President Bartlet and his staff represent the spirit, courage, depth and imagination that many (but obviously not all) faithful Americans feel this country was founded on: a spirit that they would like to see in their political candidates, but rarely find anymore. It is the stuff of dreams. Check that twice; this isn't reality TV so don't go ballistic if certain "facts" about the official processes of White House machinery are incorrect. The show isn't meant to provide documentation of life in the west wing. It's meant to give us an idea of the complexities of the political process, as well as a look at the dedication and personal sacrifice most politicians and staffers have to endure. Most importantly though, the show is meant to be a springboard for ideas and values. Is President Bartlett in any way realistic? Hell, no! He's a wild composite of every liberal politician and scholar that ever positively influenced this country, as well an authority on antiquated history, philosophy, mythology, national parks, chess, and virtually every nation in the world. What makes him especially endearing is that all of these qualities are rolled up in a homespun charm that could make Garrison Keillor positively green with envy. Some people don't seem to get the joke: he has every single element that has been absent in politicians - Democrat and Republican alike - for a longgggg time. The fact that he is so unreal is THE element of social satire that this program propagates. Frankly, I find it thrilling because as much as I love other political satires like "Bob Roberts" and "Wag the Dog", it seems wonderfully refreshing to see satire being directed from politicians rather than at them. There will never be a real president like Jed Bartlet in the White House, but every American can get a healthy dose of inspiration from fictional Jed Bartlet, 'man of the people'. [I'd include other nationalities in that statement, but there's something about Bartlet that is quintessentially American. I can't quite put my finger on it, but I visualize it along the lines of reading the Constitution while eating a bowl of chili. Other nationalities will have to come up with their own particular mixture of homespun idealism.]. I should include his staff in that statement too, since any of those in the West Wing (with the exception of Ainsley Hayes, sweet as she is) would make a fantastic president.

    As for the other elements of this show... On first watching it, I was very aware of the fact that the White House staff seemed to spend more time holding conversations while walking in corridors, than actually sitting in their offices. I was also aware of how the cameras twirled around them unceasingly. And I often found the dialogue in both quality and delivery to be something along the lines of Spalding Gray meets Gore Vidal; i.e. extremely quick, witty and brilliant, but how many people really talk that way? Well, by the third episode I became so attached to the fascinating qualities and idiosyncrasies of each character that in my ears, their dialogue seemed to flow quite naturally. By the forth episode I was tickled pink to follow them anywhere. And by the fifth episode, my inner gyroscope finally synched up with the show's steadicam. I'm hooked- what else can I say! All the characters/performers of "West Wing" are excellent, and the "what if" scenarios in each show cleverly cover situations that we're all familiar with, with just the right touch of emotional depth (or in some cases, levity. The show's humor is always delicious!).

    `West Wing' is simply brilliant through and through. The only bad thing about it is when it's over, we all have to face reality once again. Damn!
    helpful•255
    20
    • Zen Bones
    • Dec 5, 2003

    FAQ13

    • It is said a few times in the show that the president really only has 18 months to govern. Can somebody explain to people not from the United States and not all that familiar with U.S. politics why that is and what happens during the remaining two and a half years?
    • How much real life political knowledge is required to fully understand and enjoy his show?
    • What parallels to real world politics have been elements of the show?

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • September 22, 1999 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Official sites
      • NBC (United States)
      • Official Facebook
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • West Wing
    • Filming locations
      • Alexandria, Virginia, USA
    • Production companies
      • John Wells Productions
      • Warner Bros. Television
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      44 minutes
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • Dolby

    Related news

    Contribute to this page

    Suggest an edit or add missing content
    • IMDb Answers: Help fill gaps in our data
    • Learn more about contributing
    Edit page
    Add episode

    More to explore

    View list
    List
    New & Upcoming Superhero Movies and Series
    See the full list
    View list
    List
    Fall TV Guide: The Best Shows Coming This Year
    See the full list
    View image
    Photos
    Double Take: Celebrity Twins
    See the full list
    Back to top

    Recently viewed

    Please enable browser cookies to use this feature. Learn more.
    Get the IMDb App
    Sign in for more access
    Sign in for more access
    • Get the IMDb App
    • Help
    • Site Index
    • IMDbPro
    • Box Office Mojo
    • IMDb Developer
    • Press Room
    • Advertising
    • Jobs
    • Conditions of Use
    • Privacy Policy
    • Interest-Based Ads
    IMDb, an Amazon company

    © 1990-2022 by IMDb.com, Inc.