The Wire (2002)

Synopsis

Told from the points of view of both the Baltimore homicide and narcotics detectives and their targets, the series captures a universe in which the national war on drugs has become a permanent, self-sustaining bureaucracy, and distinctions between good and evil are routinely obliterated.

Watch the trailer

Where to watch

Stream

• HBO Max Amazon Channel
• HBO Max

Buy

• Amazon Video
• Apple TV Store
• Google Play Movies
• Fandango At Home

Streaming availability via JustWatch

Cast

• Dominic West as Jimmy McNulty
• Lance Reddick as Cedric Daniels
• Sonja Sohn as Kima Greggs
• Wendell Pierce as Bunk Moreland
• Deirdre Lovejoy as Rhonda Pearlman
• John Doman as William Rawls
• Clarke Peters as Lester Freamon
• Domenick Lombardozzi as Herc Hauk
• Seth Gilliam as Ellis Carver
• Andre Royo as Bubbles

If you liked The Wire, try

• Sons of Anarchy
• NYPD Blue
• MobLand
• Doctor Who
• Miami Vice
• Sex and the City
• The Shield
• Mayor of Kingstown

BingeNext's take

If you’re into crime dramas that go beyond the usual good versus evil storylines, The Wire is a must-watch. It’s set in Baltimore and shows the city’s drug scene from both the cops’ and the criminals’ perspectives, which makes it feel really real and complicated. The show doesn’t just focus on crime but also on how the war on drugs has become this endless system that’s hard to escape. With five seasons and 60 episodes, it’s a deep dive into a world where right and wrong blur together, and the characters, played by Dominic West and Lance Reddick among others, bring a gritty, honest feel to the story. If you like series like Sons of Anarchy or NYPD Blue, you’ll find The Wire gripping and thought-provoking, perfect for when you want something that challenges you but keeps you hooked.