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The Wire Feature
Who's who - character guide | Ed Burns - interview with the co-creator | The passion - Simon Morris tells it like it is Simon Morris, LOVEFiLM's Marketing Director, on why he's passionate about The Wire...
The Wire refers to a wire-tap of phones that the police are using to catch drug-dealers and wrong-uns. In the first series, the story is basically life in central Baltimore for the local police, both the blue uniform plod and the investigations dept, and opposing gangs of criminals – at all levels from the traders on the ground to the Mr Bigs who run the show. It's like a rope with five strands, and you can't really pull one strand from another. It's full, hour-long episodes, full 18 certificate language, and graphic. And each episode is big bang for your buck. If there's a chance it may lose you, it's like starting a new sport or getting a new computer – you need some investment in those first few hours to get your bearings. You've got to learn the language, the street lingo of Baltimore, and the nuances of East-side vs West-side. You've got to earn your stripes with The Wire. And that has an attraction in itself. Some people may give up, but shame on you if you do.
Omar is probably the best character of all time. He's a stick-up man; someone who robs the robber. He's one of them, but he's a poacher turned illegal game-keeper. He knows where the stash of drugs and money and cash is, and he turns them over for it. Not only that, he's funny, articulate, gay, scarred, kind of a loner, and driven by something much more than just a need to survive. I'm pretty sure I read somewhere that President Obama said he's the most interesting character on TV, ever. And over the course of these five brilliant series, you will see characters who operate on the other side of the law, and yet have a clear picture of right and wrong, which can be very different things. A lot of people in the modern age seem less concerned with legal and illegal, and more concerned with right and wrong.
If you've got a degree of cutting edge about you, and you know what's what, then The Wire is right up your strasse. When I was a kid, I didn't want my parents or grand-parents – god bless them – getting into the music I was into. And if I didn't do the job that I do, I'm not sure I'd tell that many people about The Wire. I wish them all the success in the world, but I almost want to keep it for the people that are in the know... The StreetsAvon Barksdale(Wood Harris)Head of the entire West Baltimore drug trade, Avon is shrouded from street-level crime by a hierarchy of lieutenants, crew chiefs and dealers. Not everyone knows his face, but the Barksdale name carries serious weight. Stringer Bell(Idris Elba)Avon's trusted deputy, and the man who runs the intricate organisation of personnel, supply-and-demand, profit-and-loss. Intelligent and strategic, it's Stringer's presence at D'Angelo's trial that sparks the police investigation. D'Angelo Barksdale(Larry Gilliard Jr)Acquitted of a dead-cert murder charge (when a key witness flips), D'Angelo is Avon's nephew, demoted to running 'The Pit' between the west-side tower-blocks. He's becoming ever more ambivalent about the business. Roland 'Wee-Bey' Brice(Hassan Johnson)An old friend of Avon's, Wee-Bey is an enforcer and high up in the organisation. Running protection, intimidation, even contract killings, he's a fearsome Barksdale soldier. He also keeps tropical fish. Omar Little(Michael K Williams)A deep facial scar, trench-coat and shotgun combine with laser-sharp smarts to make Omar a terrifying street presence. A stick-up man with no affiliation, Omar lives one day at a time and targets only those in the drug trade. Bubbles(Andre Royo)Beneath the ravages of homelessness and heroin addiction, Bubbles has wit and charm, and turns informant when his best friend is severely beaten by the Barksdale crew. His knowledge and ability to blend in is crucial. PoliceOfficer Jimmy McNulty(Dominic West)A lippy, cock-sure cop, McNulty is furious when D'Angelo walks, and uses his ties with a prominent judge to trigger the investigation. His savvy shoots adrenaline through the rag-tag team; his insubordination often shoots them in the foot. Detective William 'Bunk' Moreland(Wendell Pierce)McNulty's former partner in Homicide (and about his only friend there too), Bunk is pragmatic and a bit weary. And when Barksdale people look like a good fit for his latest murder inquiry, he's drawn into the orbit of the investigation. Lt Cedric Daniels(Lance Reddick)Daniels is ambitious, by-the-book, and not at all happy to wind up in charge of the special investigative Detail. If he runs it like his boss wants, his career shouldn’t stumble. But the case is starting to get under his skin. Detective Shakima Greggs(Sonja Sohn)One of three officers Daniels brings with him from the Narcotics Division, Greggs is dedicated, intuitive, Lead Detective, and an 'out' lesbian – an often flammable factor in the male-dominated environment. Detective Ellis Carver(Seth Gilliam)Somewhat resentful of Greggs' superior attitude (and ability), Carver nonetheless enjoys the Detail's combination of stealth surveillance and strong-arm tactics. The latter, perhaps a bit too much. Officer Thomas 'Herc' Hauk(Domenick Lombardozzi)Carver's partner, Herc is the third of the Narc transferees, and an unreconstituted muscle cop. He thinks like the Hulk and looks like the Thing, which may or may not aid his ambition to make Sergeant. Roland "Prez" Pryzbylewski(Jim True-Frost)Incompetent son-in-law of a high-ranking officer, Prez is dumped on the Detail and initially confirms his hapless reputation. Confined to barracks, can he finally turn the stigma around? Detective Lester Freamon(Clarke Peters)Much of Lester's 20-year career has been in the wilderness, but his principles are matched by intelligence, tenacity and attention to fine detail. Eccentric he may be, but Bunk reckons he's 'natural police.' Titles related to this articleRelated/similar articles
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I've consumed several TV series on LOVEFiLM, and I've used it to catch-up, to re-find, and to discover new ones. I came to The Wire almost by chance. And having slept on this for a good few months – since I finished Series 5 – I've concluded that it's the best TV series ever produced – up there with 
Great TV is about immersion in something. That something can often have no relation to you, and just appeals to your imagination. But The Wire is absolutely anchored in reality. You know that 24 is a great ride, but it's not real. You know that CSI is slick and polished, but it's not real. Whereas with The Wire, you know that life on the streets can be as grim as it shows. And it feels authentic:
A no-frills police office; a tatty sofa stuck in the middle of some low-rise apartments; the streets. Really, really good dialogue. And – from the off – interesting, enigmatic, contradictory, conflicting characters. 
If you stay with it, it rewards you massively. And by Season One end, it's really throwing you around in a sea of emotions. It's just so good at suddenly pulling the surprise of the year in front of you – characters that you grow to love and become as comfortable with as an old suede jacket, are suddenly ripped off you. There have been times when I've walked round the house in breathless daze (without being over-dramatic about it), and it's had an impact on my mood the next day. You start to get like someone walking through a dodgy neighbourhood: it has your nerves jangling, and you expect the unexpected.
