X
  • 1999
  • TV-14
  • NBC
  • 1999
  • TV-14
  • NBC
The West Wing

Summary The West Wing provides a glimpse into presidential politics in the nation's capital as it tells the stories of the members of a fictional presidential administration. These interesting characters have humor and dedication that touches the heart while the politics that they discuss touch on everyday life. The first six seasons focused on ...

Created By: Aaron Sorkin

  • 1999
  • TV-14
  • NBC
  • 1999
  • TV-14
  • NBC

The West Wing

7 Seasons
Season 1 Premiere: Sep 21, 1999
Metascore Generally Favorable Based on 29 Critic Reviews
78
User Score Generally Favorable Based on 307 User Ratings
7.1
My Score
Hover and click to give a rating Saved

Where to Watch

Summary The West Wing provides a glimpse into presidential politics in the nation's capital as it tells the stories of the members of a fictional presidential administration. These interesting characters have humor and dedication that touches the heart while the politics that they discuss touch on everyday life. The first six seasons focused on ...

Created By: Aaron Sorkin

Where to Watch

All Seasons

View All Seasons
7 Seasons

Top Cast

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Martin Sheen

President Josiah Bartlet

Rob Lowe

Sam Seaborn

Allison Janney

C.J. Cregg

John Spencer

Leo McGarry

Bradley Whitford

Josh Lyman

Janel Moloney

Donna Moss

Richard Schiff

Toby Ziegler

Dulé Hill

Charlie Young

NiCole Robinson

Margaret Hooper, Margaret

Melissa Fitzgerald

Carol Fitzpatrick, Carol, White House Staffer

Joshua Malina

Will Bailey

Stockard Channing

Abbey Bartlet

Kim Webster

Ginger, Kim

Kris Murphy

Katie Witt, Katie, Katie Witt - Santos Reporter #1, Reporter #3, Reporter #4

Timothy Davis-Reed

Mark O'Donnell, Mark, Mark O'Donnell - Vinick Reporter #2, Reporter #2, Reporter Mark, Vinick Reporter #2

Mary McCormack

Kate Harper

William Duffy

Larry, Congressional Liaison #2, Staffer, Staffer Larry

Peter James Smith

Ed, Congressional Liaison #1, Staffer Ed

Renée Estevez

Nancy

Charles Noland

Reporter Steve, Steve, Reporter #1, Reporter #2, Reporter #2 - Steve, Reporter #3

View All Cast & Crew

Critic Reviews

 View All
Metascore
Generally Favorable Based on 29 Critic Reviews
78
79% Positive
23 Reviews
21% Mixed
6 Reviews
0% Negative
0 Reviews

  • All Reviews
  • Positive Reviews
  • Mixed Reviews
  • Negative Reviews

Critic Reviews

 View All
Metascore
Generally Favorable Based on 29 Critic Reviews
78
79% Positive
23 Reviews
21% Mixed
6 Reviews
0% Negative
0 Reviews

  • All Reviews
  • Positive Reviews
  • Mixed Reviews
  • Negative Reviews
100
Jun 27, 2013
Remains a winner.
By Tom Gliatto FULL REVIEW
91
Apr 22, 2013
[Sorkin's] premier episode for West Wing is a fine piece of work, relying heavily on a presumption that viewers have brains and can absorb a lot in a short period...Rarely has a writer fleshed out so many characters with so few words in such a short period of time. [22 Sept 1999, p.14E]
By Charlie McCollum FULL REVIEW
90
Apr 21, 2013
A drama so well written and artfully executed that if tonight's debut were expanded just a bit, it could stand as a feature film. [22 Sept 1999, p.1E]
FULL REVIEW
80
Apr 22, 2013
There's real thought behind The West Wing, a blessed exhilaration in this increasingly apolitical medium. For those who remember when '70s TV comedy took on the world, this is a welcome arrival. True, the pilot takes some fish-in-a-barrel potshots at sanctimonious evangelists, in Sorkin's speechifying manner from "Sports Night." But it also delivers that series' satisfying depth of reflection and rich characterization. Eventually. Once we know who these people are. [21 Sept 1999, p.B27]
By Diane Werts FULL REVIEW
75
Jun 12, 2013
One of The West Wing's executive producers is ER's John Wells, and the new series replicates that show's swooping cameras and frenetic pace. Combine this visual style with a slightly toned-down version of the overlapping dialogue Sorkin uses in his other series, ABC's Sports Night, and you've got one zippy little hour. That's good, because when you stop and examine each plot strand, the show starts to unravel.
By Ken Tucker FULL REVIEW
60
Apr 22, 2013
West Wing is not a dramatic powerhouse as it gets off the ground tonight but, indeed, it does get off the ground. There are good performances, crispy-crunchy lines of dialogue and a few sizzly sparks. Subsequent episodes will have to improve on the premiere, however, if there's really going to be anything must-see-ish about the show. [22 Sept 1999, p.C01]
By Tom Shales FULL REVIEW
40
Apr 21, 2013
That still makes the series more daring than most of what's on television; the problem is, its creators know that and the show's self-satisfaction becomes annoying. The floundering first episode (the only one available for preview) is sometimes smart, sometimes stupid, eventually gooey and, despite its sharp cast, not often entertaining. One of the season's most hyped and anticipated series, The West Wing is by far its biggest disappointment.
By Caryn James FULL REVIEW

User Reviews

 View All
User Score
Generally Favorable Based on 307 User Ratings
7.1
73% Positive
224 Ratings
6% Mixed
17 Ratings
21% Negative
66 Ratings

User Reviews

 View All
User Score
Generally Favorable Based on 307 User Ratings
7.1
73% Positive
224 Ratings
6% Mixed
17 Ratings
21% Negative
66 Ratings

There are no user reviews yet. Be the first to add a review.

Details

 View All
Production Company:
  • John Wells Productions
  • Warner Bros. Television
Initial Release Date: Sep 21, 1999
Number of seasons: 7 Seasons
Rating: TV-14
Genres:
All Details

Awards

Golden Globes, USA
• 2 Wins & 20 Nominations
Online Film & Television Association
• 27 Wins & 95 Nominations
Primetime Emmy Awards
• 26 Wins & 95 Nominations

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