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New York Times bestselling jacket for WHAT'S NEXT book

What's Next

Melissa Fitzgerald and Mary McCormack

*INSTANT NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER*

A behind-the-scenes look into the creation and legacy of The West Wing as told by cast members Melissa Fitzgerald and Mary McCormack, with additional insight from cast and crew exploring what made the show what it was, and how its impassioned commitment to service has made the series and relationships behind it endure.

Step back inside the world of President Jed Bartlet’s Oval Office with Fitzgerald and McCormack as they reunite the West Wing cast and crew in a lively and colorful “backstage pass” to the timeless series. This intimate, in-depth reflection reveals how The West Wing was conceived, and spotlights the army of people it took to produce it, the lifelong friendships it forged, and the service it inspired. 
 
From cast member origin stories to the collective, cathartic farewell on the show’s final night of filming, What’s Next will delight readers with tales of on-set hijinks and off-camera anecdotes that even West Wing superfans have never heard. Meanwhile, a deeper analysis of the show’s legacy through American culture, service, government, and civic life underscores how the series envisaged an American politics of decency and honor, creating an aspirational White House beyond the bounds of fictional television. 

What’s Next revisits beloved episodes with fresh, untold commentary, compiles poignant and hilarious stories from the show’s production, highlights initiatives supported by the cast, crew, and creators, and makes a powerful case for competent, empathetic leadership, hope, and optimism for whatever lies ahead.

GIVE BACK!

A key element of The West Wing, and it's enduring legacy, is one of service. We invite you to contribute to one of these organizations, chosen by the show's cast, in the spirit of making our world better and reaching for the stars.

Allison Janney: Planned Parenthood, Amelia Air Animal Rescue

Rob Lowe: Wounded Warrior Project, Susan G. Komen for the Cure

Martin Sheen: The Catholic Worker Movement, All Rise

Dulé Hill: Everybody Dance LA!, Make-A-Wish Foundation

Melissa Fitzgerald: Justice for Vets, All Rise

Emily Procter: The Ground

Robert Schiff: The ACLU

Janel Moloney: International Medical Corps, Riley's Way Foundation

Bradley Whitford: Be a Hero Fund, Fair Fight Action

Josh Malina: Americans for Peace Now, Hebrew Immigrant Aid Society

Mary McCormack: Justice for Vets, Moms Demand Action

Alan Alda: The Alan Alda Center for Communicating Science

Meet the Authors

author photo

Photo: © Russell Baer

Melissa Fitzgerald

Melissa Fitzgerald is an actor, producer and social justice advocate. As an actor, Melissa is best known for her seven-year role as Carol on the award-winning television series, The West Wing. While in Hollywood, Melissa co-founded Voices in Harmony, a mentoring program that uses theater to work with historically underserved teens. She took Voices in Harmony to war-torn northern Uganda to work with former abducted child soldiers, resulting in the award-winning documentary “After Kony: Staging Hope.” She is also co-executive producer of “Halfway Home,” a film that profiles several returning veterans as they share their struggles reintegrating after experiencing the trauma of war. In 2013, Melissa left Hollywood to champion justice system reform at All Rise where she is at the forefront of engaging the public in the expansion of treatment courts and advancing justice system responses for individuals impacted by substance use and mental health disorders. She has been published in The New York Times and The Washington Post and is a recipient of the Secretary of the Army’s Public Service Medal. Melissa is a graduate of the University of Pennsylvania and The Neighborhood Playhouse School of the Theatre. She lives in Washington, DC.

author photo

Photo: © Catie Laffoon

Mary McCormack

Mary McCormack is an actor, producer, and activist who played Deputy National Security Advisor Kate Harper on The West Wing. A Tony-nominated Broadway actress, she is known for a diversity of roles across film, television, and theater. Mary is an outspoken advocate for a whole host of causes, from social justice and women’s rights to veterans’ issues and criminal justice reform. She lives in Los Angeles with her husband and three daughters.

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