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The Wire

  • TV Series
  • 2002–2008
  • TV-MA
  • 1h
IMDb RATING
9.3/10
403K
YOUR RATING
POPULARITY
82
6
The Wire (2002)
Trailer
Play trailer0:31
10 Videos
99+ Photos
Cop DramaDrug CrimeEpicPolice ProceduralCrimeDramaThriller

The Baltimore drug scene, as seen through the eyes of drug dealers and law enforcement.The Baltimore drug scene, as seen through the eyes of drug dealers and law enforcement.The Baltimore drug scene, as seen through the eyes of drug dealers and law enforcement.

  • Creator
    • David Simon
  • Stars
    • Dominic West
    • Lance Reddick
    • Sonja Sohn
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • IMDb RATING
    9.3/10
    403K
    YOUR RATING
    POPULARITY
    82
    6
    • Creator
      • David Simon
    • Stars
      • Dominic West
      • Lance Reddick
      • Sonja Sohn
    • 802User reviews
    • 77Critic reviews
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • Top rated TV #6
    • Nominated for 2 Primetime Emmys
      • 16 wins & 59 nominations total

    Episodes60

    Browse episodes
    TopTop-rated

    Videos10

    Pablo Schreiber on the Role That Changed His Life
    Interview 1:01
    Pablo Schreiber on the Role That Changed His Life
    The Legacy of Michael Kenneth Williams
    Clip 4:07
    The Legacy of Michael Kenneth Williams
    The Legacy of Michael Kenneth Williams
    Clip 4:07
    The Legacy of Michael Kenneth Williams
    Wendell Pierce Goes Worldwide in "Jack Ryan" But Can't Escape "The Wire"
    Clip 2:35
    Wendell Pierce Goes Worldwide in "Jack Ryan" But Can't Escape "The Wire"
    The Wire: The Complete Season 2
    Trailer 0:31
    The Wire: The Complete Season 2
    The Wire: Season 1
    Trailer 0:31
    The Wire: Season 1
    The Wire: The Complete Fourth Season
    Trailer 0:47
    The Wire: The Complete Fourth Season

    Photos724

    View Poster
    View Poster
    View Poster
    View Poster
    + 720
    View Poster

    Top cast99+

    Edit
    Dominic West
    Dominic West
    • Detective James 'Jimmy' McNulty…
    • 2002–2008
    Lance Reddick
    Lance Reddick
    • Lieutenant Cedric Daniels…
    • 2002–2008
    Sonja Sohn
    Sonja Sohn
    • Detective Shakima 'Kima' Greggs
    • 2002–2008
    Wendell Pierce
    Wendell Pierce
    • Detective William 'Bunk' Moreland
    • 2002–2008
    John Doman
    John Doman
    • Deputy Commissioner for Operations William A. Rawls…
    • 2002–2008
    Deirdre Lovejoy
    Deirdre Lovejoy
    • A.S.A. Rhonda Pearlman
    • 2002–2008
    Seth Gilliam
    Seth Gilliam
    • Sergeant Ellis Carver…
    • 2002–2008
    Domenick Lombardozzi
    Domenick Lombardozzi
    • Detective Thomas 'Herc' Hauk…
    • 2002–2008
    Clarke Peters
    Clarke Peters
    • Detective Lester Freamon
    • 2002–2008
    Andre Royo
    Andre Royo
    • Reginald 'Bubbles' Cousins
    • 2002–2008
    Michael Kenneth Williams
    Michael Kenneth Williams
    • Omar Little
    • 2002–2008
    Jim True-Frost
    Jim True-Frost
    • Detective Roland 'Prez' Pryzbylewski…
    • 2002–2008
    Frankie Faison
    Frankie Faison
    • Acting Commissioner Ervin H. Burrell…
    • 2002–2008
    Corey Parker Robinson
    Corey Parker Robinson
    • Detective Leander Sydnor
    • 2002–2008
    Delaney Williams
    Delaney Williams
    • Sergeant Jay Landsman
    • 2002–2008
    J.D. Williams
    J.D. Williams
    • Preston 'Bodie' Broadus
    • 2002–2006
    Wood Harris
    Wood Harris
    • Avon Barksdale
    • 2002–2008
    Idris Elba
    Idris Elba
    • Russell 'Stringer' Bell
    • 2002–2004
    • Creator
      • David Simon
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

    User reviews802

    9.3403.4K
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    Summary

    Reviewers say 'The Wire' is acclaimed for its deep social commentary, realistic urban portrayal, and complex characters. The show is praised for its nuanced depiction of societal institutions and commitment to authenticity. Its detailed writing and absence of clear-cut heroes and villains are highlighted. The series is noted for its slow pacing and lack of conventional tropes, which some find challenging but rewarding. The ensemble cast's performances are lauded for their depth and realism.
    AI-generated from the text of user reviews

    Featured reviews

    10TheLittleSongbird

    Hard to put into words how phenomenal The Wire is

    I have seen many brilliant shows, and The Wire is one of them. Even the word brilliant isn't enough to put into words how good this series is. The Wire is incredibly well made, with moody lighting, striking location work that also brings atmosphere and great photography, while the music is very haunting. The Wire with its thoughtful and tense dialogue also has some of the best writing of any show I've seen, the stories are ceaselessly compelling and the characters are rich and unforgettable. All the episodes are superbly directed, and very rarely do you feel cheated at the end of episodes. The acting is superb, Dominic West and Idris Elba are especially brilliant. In conclusion, phenomenal. 10/10 Bethany Cox
    9atrevino90

    I used to not understand what whas so great about it

    I first attempted to watch this series over a decade ago when I started getting interested in films and tv shows in a major way, but I was still not mature enough to enjoy the more complex kind of TV I see that now. I used to think the show was boring, did not understand half of it, to be fair I am not from USA and some of the language in this show is a little too high level for a non native to understand from both the cops and drug dealers, even now I still don't get a few expressions they do or police terms. I guess I even hated it I only watched the first season and save a few scenes I was mostly bored

    Now I feel like my taste has matured a lot since I last saw it, decided to give it another chance, and now I see every scene, every dialogue, every line between the lines and I haven't even finished the first season again and I am loving it, maybe not yet as much as I love Sopranos or Breaking bad which are arguably simpler but very smart, real and entertaining. The Wire does feel more complex on its themes I guess it's too real in a way which is why I thought it was boring the first time, they bother with details normally other TV shows would skip or overlook.

    I still think Sopranos is better, it is easier to digest, but without losing that feeling of realism and being relatable on every level, but it doesn't make the wire any less important.

    I look forward to finishing it this time and maybe even update my review once I am all done.
    10rwdelos5517

    The Wire is why awards are irrelevant.

    This series not winning an Emmy, is why awards are nonsense. Andre Royo alone deserves one for every season this show was on.
    10Rob1331

    Incredible!

    I don't even no where to begin to explain how much I love The Wire! It's a crime drama that takes place in Baltimore. It takes a gritty look into the lives of everyone from police officers to gang members to drug users to political figures, etc. The writing and acting for this amazing series is down right brilliant. All you have to do is read through the reviews to see how loved this show really is. The consistency of the greatness of this show throughout all five seasons is ridiculous. The gritty attention to detail makes this series feel so real. It's easily one of the best shows of all-time.
    10ezraaaa

    Best TV Series Ever Made?

    Here's my rating with some little review for every season:

    Season 1: 8.5/10 (Impressive start, although the plot feels so slow)

    Season 2: 9/10 (Masterpiece of storytelling)

    Season 3: 10/10 (Omar Little the champions of people)

    Season 4: 11/10 (is this a real life? Is this just fantasy?)

    Season 5: 9.5/10 (such a perfect conclusion)

    More like this

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    9.2
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    9.4
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    9.3
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    8.9
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    Narcos

    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      While filming, Andre Royo was once approached by a Baltimore resident, who handed him a package of heroin and said he looked like he needed a fix. Royo calls this his "street Oscar."
    • Goofs
      Throughout the last two seasons, Carcetti repeatedly refers to a possible gubernatorial challenge in 2008, after serving two years as Baltimore mayor. But Maryland holds gubernatorial elections in off years - 2006, 2010, etc. The new governor would have been elected the same year that Carcetti was elected mayor - 2006 - and up for re-election in four years, not two.
    • Quotes

      Freamon: A life, Jimmy, you know what that is? It's the shit that happens while you're waiting for moments that never come.

    • Crazy credits
      In every episode, after the opening credits a quote appears on the screen that will be spoken by a character in that episode.
    • Connections
      Featured in The 57th Annual Primetime Emmy Awards (2005)
    • Soundtracks
      Way Down in the Hole
      Written by Tom Waits

      Performed by The Blind Boys of Alabama

      (season 1)

    Top picks

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    FAQ31

    • How many seasons does The Wire have?Powered by Alexa
    • The "Brown Paper Bag" story that Major Bunny Colvin tells in season 3, which describes the predicament both the citizens and the police of Baltimore and America found themselves in when public consumption of alcohol was outlawed, and which was solved by hiding alcoholic drinks in paper bags and was called "a great moment of civic compromise" by Colvin -- is that a true story and did that really happen in Baltimore?
    • Why do people in the drug zones keep shouting out stuff like "WMD" and "Pandemic"?
    • Why did Bunk cut off his colleague's necktie?

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • June 2, 2002 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Official sites
      • Official Facebook
      • Official Site
    • Languages
      • English
      • Greek
      • Mandarin
      • Spanish
    • Also known as
      • Đường Dây Tội Phạm
    • Filming locations
      • Baltimore, Maryland, USA
    • Production companies
      • Blown Deadline Productions
      • Home Box Office (HBO)
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Tech specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      1 hour
    • Color
      • Color
    • Aspect ratio
      • 4:3

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