The West Wing

A working day in the White House

The West Wing follows President Josiah Bartlet and his senior staff as they handle policy disputes, press briefings and the unexpected problems of running an administration. Aaron Sorkin created the NBC drama, which ran for seven seasons from 1999 to 2006.

Martin Sheen plays Bartlet, with John Spencer as chief of staff Leo McGarry. The show combines substantial public decisions with the smaller frustrations of people working long hours together.

The people doing the work

Allison Janney plays press secretary C.J. Cregg. Bradley Whitford is deputy chief of staff Josh Lyman, Richard Schiff is communications director Toby Ziegler, and Rob Lowe plays his deputy, Sam Seaborn.

Dulé Hill's Charlie Young and Janel Moloney's Donna Moss give the office further warmth and wit, while Stockard Channing plays First Lady Abbey Bartlet. The friendships and disagreements within this ensemble are as important to the appeal as the political business.

What makes it distinctive

Fast dialogue and Thomas Schlamme's walk-and-talk staging give the series its momentum. It is an idealistic drama with a clear political viewpoint, but its strongest arguments involve real choices rather than easy victories. The workplace comedy makes its earnestness much easier to enjoy.

The first four seasons have the most consistent rhythm; the later years take time to settle into their own. Read the West Wing review for the full recommendation. The Newsroom shares Sorkin's voice, while The Thick of It offers a sharply different approach to political life.