HBO Max has released the trailer for its West Wing reunion special, which will debut on the streamer Oct. 15.
A West Wing Special to Benefit When We All Vote marks the first time in 17 years that the original cast of the series will come together with creator Aaron Sorkin and executive producer and director Thomas Schlamme for a special theatrical stage presentation of season three episode “Hartsfield’s Landing.” Martin Sheen, Dulé Hill, Allison Janney, Rob Lowe, Janel Moloney, Richard Schiff, Bradley Whitford will all reprise their roles for the event.
First aired in February 2002, the episode features President Bartlet (Sheen) engaging Sam (Lowe) and Toby (Schiff) in chess games that mirror his brinksmanship with the Chinese government; Josh (Whitford) sweating the results of primary voting in a tiny New Hampshire town; and C.J. (Janney) and Charlie (Hill) facing off in a prank war.
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Eighteen years later, as Sheen returns as President Bartlet in the trailer, he jokingly asks, “What’d I miss?”
The clip also sees Sterling K. Brown joining the special, which was filmed over several days in early October at the Orpheum Theatre in Los Angeles using COVID-19-safe protocols. It will also feature act breaks with guest appearances from Michelle Obama, President Bill Clinton, Lin-Manuel Miranda and more, as the production raises awareness and support for Obama’s nonprofit, nonpartisan organization When We All Vote, which was founded to increase participation in every election in America.
Ahead of the special, TNT will air Friday marathons of The West Wing, starting Friday and leading up to the general election in November with election-themed episodes. WarnerMedia will also be making a donation to When We All Vote to coincide with the streaming event.
A West Wing Special to Benefit When We All Vote is produced by Casey Patterson Entertainment in association with Warner Horizon Unscripted Television. Sorkin, Schlamme and Casey Patterson are the executive producers. Rob Paine is co-executive producer and Schlamme will serve as director.
Watch the trailer below:
https://youtu.be/g868M-27qpI
