Jill Biden to Host Reunion of ‘The West Wing’ at the White House

The first lady to celebrate 25th anniversary of series debut with talk about the art of storytelling and public service.

(L-R) Janel Moloney, Dulé Hill, Martin Sheen, Allison Janney, and Richard Schiff speak onstage in a West Wing replica during the 76th Primetime Emmy Awards at Peacock Theater on Sunday in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images)

It is the East Wing’s First Lady Dr. Jill Biden who on Friday will host the creators of one of television’s landmark political series The West Wing in honor of the 25th anniversary of the drama’s airing. 

Dr. Biden will host the event at the White House, officials announced Wednesday. The first lady is expected to give remarks celebrating the role of storytelling in inspiring Americans to pursue careers in public service. The gathering is expected to include members of the original cast just days after cast members reunited at Sunday’s Emmy Awards ceremony.

The White House event will take place two days before the debut anniversary. The series was created by Aaron Sorkin, produced by Warner Bros. Television, premiered on NBC on Sept. 22, 1999, and went on to run for seven seasons, Deadline first reported. The first lady is expected to speak to the series’ influence on the American public. For many, the program inspired people to serve because of its idealistic depiction of well-intentioned politics.

Martin Sheen, who played President Josiah Bartlet on the series, had a brief meeting with President Joe Biden at the White House last month, according to Deadline. Sheen was with cast members Melissa Fitzgerald and Mary McCormack, authors of the recently published What’s Next: A Backstage Pass to The West Wing, Its Cast And Crew And Its Enduring Legacy Of Service.