LOS ANGELES (AP) – Aaron Sorkin, creator of the Emmy-winning White House drama “The West Wing,” is leaving the series after this season, he said Thursday.

Sorkin, who was involved in writing most of the scripts for the NBC series, also served as executive producer.

Thomas Schlamme, another executive producer, also is leaving.

The show will continue with John Wells, another executive producer, in charge. Wells’ other series include NBC’s “ER” and “Third Watch.”

There had been reports of tension between Sorkin and the studio that produces the show, Warner Bros. Television. He had reportedly been cautioned about budgets and production delays.

“This has been the experience of any writer’s dreams,” Sorkin said in a statement. “I had the best job in show business for four years and I’ll never forget that.”

Schlamme and Sorkin said they will pursue other film, television and theater projects. They will remain “the two biggest fans of “The West Wing,”‘ according to their statement.

Their work was lauded by the studio and NBC.

“Aaron Sorkin and Tommy Schlamme have done an extraordinary job in their four years at the helm of “The West Wing,”‘ said NBC entertainment chief Jeff Zucker and Warner Bros. Television President Peter Roth.

“The West Wing” won its third consecutive best drama trophy at last year’s Emmy Awards. Sorkin has won an Emmy for writing for the series, while Schlamme has won two Emmys for directing.

Sorkin, 41, had gone through difficult personal times during his work on “The West Wing,” which stars Martin Sheen as fictional President Josiah Bartlet.

In 2001, Sorkin had been arrested for possession of cocaine and hallucinogenic mushrooms and ordered to enter a drug treatment program. The charges were dismissed after he completed the program.

Wells, whose production company John Wells Productions co-produces “The West Wing” with Warner Bros. Television, has been asked by Warner to take a “more active role” next season, the studio said.

“Aaron Sorkin and Tommy Schlamme are irreplaceable,” Wells said in a statement. “… They will be sorely missed.”

A team of writers, directors and producers has been assembled to help in the transition, he said.

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On the Net:

NBC Web site: http://www.nbc.com/The-West-Wing/index.html

AP-ES-05-01-03 1705EDT