Aaron Sorkin does not have much interest in revivingThe West Wing. Created by Sorkin, the show ran from 1999 to 2006 and explored the day-to-day reality of life in the White House under President Josiah Bartlet (Martin Sheen).The West Winghas been praised for its accuracyand the incredible performances of its ensemble cast. The show won over two dozen Primetime Emmy Awards and three Golden Globes throughout its run. Despite its success, it has never been continued after its 2006 finale.
In an interview withThe New York Times, Sorkin explained his lack of interest in a modern revival. Whilehe does enjoy the show and remains pleased with its quality and inventiveness, he feels no need to bring it back. Sorkin even believes that continuing the series today would hamper the memories from his experience developing it. Check out his quote below:
I’m always reluctant to go back and visit it, out of fear thatit won’t live up to the memory of making it.There have been a couple of times when I’ve had to go back and watch an episode. Four years ago, we did a get-out-the-vote special, staged in sort of ‘Playhouse 90’ form, and I went back to watch a couple of episodes to choose one. And I was pleasantly surprised.
What Sorkin’s Comments Mean For The West Wing
The Show Will Never See A Revival Without Sorkin
Aaron Sorkin is a legendary creator, who has contributed to the development of numerous critically acclaimed movies and shows. He helped developThe Newsroom,The Social Network(2010),Moneyball(2011), and countless other projects. Having his name attached to any piece of media is a mark of quality, but Sorkin’s involvement inWest Wingcemented its name. He gained prominence withSports Night, but his political drama stuck the landing.Without Sorkin, the essence of the show would be forever changed.
Continuing without Sorkin again does not make much sense.
Considering that Sorkin is the creator of the show,it is unlikely to ever see a revival without his approval. Even if he did step aside, producers could attempt to mimic his style but may struggle to match the fast-paced thrill of even the driest sequences of political development. The show continued for three seasons afterSorkin’s initial season 4 exitduring the original run, but the show experienced a dramatic dip in quality. After he left, it lost much of its critical acclaim and never won another Golden Globe. Continuing without Sorkin again does not make much sense.
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Here is why despite being one of the major characters in The West Wing’s initial seasons, Rob Lowe’s Sam Seaborn left the NBC series after season 4.
Our Take On Sorkin’s West Wing Revival Comments
Politics Has Changed Drastically Since The West Wing’s Finale
Domestic politics are in a very different place than they were during Sorkin’s initial run on the show. The first two seasons preceded the 9/11 attacks, creating a drastically different feeling than modern politics could evoke. Security and freedom have become significant questions, and both major parties have shifted to reflect those changes in the 25 years since the show began. WhileSorkin has repeatedly emphasized that he could still write the show today, audiences would not view the narrative the same way.
Why West Wing’s Martin Sheen Regrets Changing His Name
Martin Sheen, who played President Bartlet on The West Wing, regrets caving to pressures to change his stage name to its more anglicized version.
After visiting the White House,Sorkin recently emphasized that he has thought of new ideas. That could hint that he may develop new seasons, but they would need to be refined for modern viewers. The world has simply changed too much to retread the same elements. The show did recently have a successful special episode in 2020, so it is possible to see more, even if changes are drastic. If Sorkin ever decides to return toThe West Wing, everything about the show would need to be completely updated. A reboot or decades-long time skip might make the most sense.
The West Wing
Cast
In Aaron Sorkin’s classic political procedural, the senior staff of President Josiah Bartlet (Martin Sheen) face the daily challenge of helping to run the country from the West Wing of the White House. The series features an ensemble cast that also includes Rob Lowe, Dulé Hill, Bradley Whitford, Allison Janney, Richard Schiff, and John Spencer.
