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The Wire

  • TV Series
  • 2002–2008
  • TV-MA
  • 1h
IMDb RATING
9.3/10
403K
YOUR RATING
POPULARITY
76
13
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
    76
    13
    • Creator
      • David Simon
    • Stars
      • Dominic West
      • Lance Reddick
      • Sonja Sohn
    • 801User 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

    Photos722

    View Poster
    View Poster
    View Poster
    View Poster
    + 718
    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 reviews801

    9.3403K
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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

    10Supermanfan-13

    As good as everyone says it is!

    The Wire absolutely, without a doubt, lives up to all the hype and love it gets. The storytelling is so ridiculously good and that's because that this is one of the best written shows in television history. It's one of those rare shows where every season is just as good as the others. It's ranked #6 All-Time with a 9.3 rating for a reason... because it's absolutely amazing! If you google any "best show ever" list you will find The Wire near the top of every single one. If you've never seen this incredible show then do yourself a favor and go watch it immediately and if you have seen it then go watch it again because it's just that good!
    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)
    10gogoschka-1

    This isn't just a show about crime - this tries to show every aspect of life in a crumbling society

    Along with TV-shows like 'Oz', 'Deadwood', 'The Sopranos' and 'Six Feet Under', David Simon's 'The Wire' was part of a revolution - qualitywise - in television. Although it is very entertaining, this isn't just entertainment; this is art, pure and simple - and the concept of this show was groundbreaking. On the surface, one might think this is a show about crime, but really, 'The Wire' is about the life and soul of a whole city. Every aspect of the city of Baltimore gets its share of screen time, and the way this is done - the writing, the direction, the amazing performances by the terrific cast; the music, the camera work, the realism... I could go on and on - is just outstanding. On par with 'Generation Kill' (no wonder, since the same creative team was behind both), this is as good as television gets.

    Favorite films: http://www.IMDb.com/list/mkjOKvqlSBs/

    Lesser-known Masterpieces: http://www.imdb.com/list/ls070242495/

    Favorite Low-Budget and B-Movies: http://www.imdb.com/list/ls054808375/

    Favorite TV-Shows reviewed: http://www.imdb.com/list/ls075552387/
    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.
    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

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    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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