Widely regarded as one the greatest series to grace TV, The Wire is a constant reference to culture since airing in 2002.
The show covers the drug scene in Baltimore from top to bottom, from streets to political halls. Having worked as a police reporter for The Baltimore Sun from 1982 to 1995, its creator David Simon was dedicated to telling a story without compromising any facts. He wrote a book titled Homicide: Life on the Killing Street about his time shadowing the homicide unit in 1988 which spawned a screen adaptation.
In 1997, Simon wrote his second novel, The Corner, about a drug hotspot in West Baltimore. Co-authored with former officer Ed Burns it was adapted by HBO as a series in 2000, receiving widespread acclaim. Inspired by its reception, Simon went on to create ‘The Wire’ (with help from Burns).
Pop culture has paid respects to the show since its original airing, with references appearing in countless lyrics, sitcoms, and even Nickelodeon shows. The Wire, however, didn’t garner much appreciation during its time on air. Simon claims that he had to beg HBO to let him continue after the show was canceled several times.
Much of the respect The Wire commands is due to its authentic portrayal of all facets of the drug trade. With Simon and Burns being well acquainted with local crime, much of the story and characters were directly inspired by real life. Avon Barksdale (Wood Harris) and Bubbles are just a few of the show’s characters that mirror the lives of real kingpins, informants, and stick-ups.
The series saw the breakthrough for a young Michael B Jordan as a corner boy in “The Pit” and Idris Elba as the calculating second in command, Stringer Bell. Along with an iconic performance from Michael K Williams as mythical-like Omar Little - the elusive ruthless, principled, and homosexual lone wolf feared just by his whistle and also happened to be Obama’s favorite character from the show.
Former kingpin Melvin Williams inspired the Barksdale character and even played a minor role in the show. Snoop (Felicia Pearson) is a character revered by Stephen King, describing her as the most terrifying female villain on television.