For the first time in 17 years, Aaron Sorkin and the original cast of The West Wing are reuniting for an HBO Max special to benefit When We All Vote. Yep, even Rob Lowe! The special, aptly titled A West Wing Special to Benefit When We All Vote, will feature a “staged presentation” of the season three episode “Hartsfield’s Landing.”
Reprising their roles from the episode are Rob Lowe (Sam Seaborn), Dulé Hill (Charlie Young), Allison Janney (C.J. Cregg), Janel Moloney (Donna Moss), Richard Schiff ( Toby Ziegler), Bradley Whitford (Josh Lyman), and Martin Sheen (President Jed Bartlet). Absent from the list, of course, is the late John Spencer, who played chief of staff Leo McGarry. HBO Max has not announced who will step in to fill his role in the stage presentation.
Warner Bros. Television
In addition to the original cast members, the press release teased special guest appearances, including a message from Michelle Obama. One can only hope that included among the special guests are West Wing staples, like Stockard Channing, Marlee Matlin, Josh Malina, Mary McCormick, Jimmy Smits, and Alan Alda.
The special will also feature original material from Sorkin. Thomas Schlamme, an executive producer and key director on the original series, will direct. The pair and Casey Patterson are executive producing the A West Wing Special to Benefit When We All Vote.
This isn’t the first time various members of the series have reunited to get out the vote. But this is the first time we’ll see Sorkin and the entire original cast, save Spencer, coming together—in character, no less—to advocate for voting participation.
Warner Bros. Television
According to a press release from WarnerMedia, the special will be filmed over several days in early October at the Orpheum Theatre in Downtown Los Angeles. Cast and crew will abide by COVID Safe Way Forward Protocols, the safety guidelines being implemented as productions on films and TV series resume.
HBO Max hasn’t formally set a release date yet. However, given the special’s context, it’ll likely debut in October ahead of the November election.
Featured Image: Warner Bros. Television
