Some television shows have a remarkably long shelf life, and The West Wing is proving to be one of them.
The acclaimed political drama ended its seven-season run nearly 20 years ago, but it’s still finding an audience on Netflix. In fact, The West Wing is currently listed among the streaming service’s highest-rated shows on Rotten Tomatoes, with a 95% Popcornmeter score from viewers.
Created by Aaron Sorkin, The West Wing premiered in 1999 and follows the fictional administration of Democratic President Josiah “Jed” Bartlet, played by Martin Sheen, and the White House staffers working around him.
The series ran for seven seasons and 154 episodes before airing its finale in May 2006.
‘The West Wing’ Still Has a 95% Audience Score
Rotten Tomatoes currently gives The West Wing an 81% Tomatometer score from critics, but its audience score is significantly higher at 95%. The series is also available to stream in full on Netflix, with all seven seasons currently listed on the platform.
The show’s individual seasons have received varying scores over the years, with the first season earning a particularly strong 96% from critics and the seventh season receiving a 95% score.
The audience response helps explain why the series continues to stand out among the older shows available on Netflix.
Rotten Tomatoes’ current Netflix ranking places The West Wing alongside other highly regarded series including Breaking Bad, Better Call Saul, One Piece, Mindhunter, The Twilight Zone, and Peaky Blinders.
The Series Was a Major Hit When It Originally Aired
The West Wing wasn’t simply a cult favorite that became popular decades later.
The series was one of television’s most acclaimed dramas during its original run, earning 26 Emmy Awards over seven seasons. It also starred an impressive ensemble that included Martin Sheen, Stockard Channing, John Spencer, Bradley Whitford and Allison Janney.
The story centered on the fictional Bartlet administration, mixing political storylines with the personal lives of the people working inside the White House. That combination became one of the show’s defining characteristics.
It Remains a Streaming Favorite
There are plenty of newer political dramas available to Netflix subscribers, but The West Wing continues to hold its own nearly two decades after its final episode.
The series has also become something of a time capsule of late-1990s and early-2000s television, while its fictional White House and fast-paced dialogue have helped it remain recognizable to newer audiences.
