West Wing, The (NBC 1999-2006, Martin Sheen, Richard Schiff)

Drama series. A look inside the inner sanctum of the White House and the staff who work there, especially President Josiah Bartlett. Each episode followed Bartlet and his staff throughvarious political hot potato issues.

One of the real stars of the show is the set designer who created the completely connected set of the White House which allows directors to film long continuous shots of staff going about their daily business. The series was initially supposed to be mainly about Sam Seaborn, Bartlet’s deputy communications director, but such was the popularity of Sheen’s portrayal that he soon shifted centre stage.

The series was a hugely popular and critical success, winnning 9 Emmys in its first season alone and the show is in the top ten of Emmy winners for most awards won.

production details
USA | NBC – Warner| 156×50 minutes | Broadcast 22 September 1999 – 14 May 2006

Creator: Aaron Sorkin Music: W.G. Saffy Walden, John Wells / Executive Producers: Aaron Sorkin, Thomas Schlamme

cast
MARTIN SHEEN as President Josiah Bartlett
RICHARD SCHIFF as Toby Zugler
ALLISON JANNEY as Press Secretary C.J. Gregg
BRAD WHITFORD as Deputy Chief of Staff Josh Lyman
ROB LOWE as Deputy Commissioner Sam Seaborn
MOIRA KELLY as Madelaine
JOHN SPENCER as Chief of Staff Leo McGarry