The HBO standout series, “The Wire” hit its 20th anniversary this month.  Remembrances, highlights, interviews, and accolades for the show are ubiquitous.  The press, traditional media, and social media have taken a deep dive into the continued relevance of the series that ran for 5 years.

The show examined the connection between various institutions and the police in Baltimore. The writers looked at the drug trade, city government, and the education system through a wide variety of characters over 5 seasons and 60 episodes.  The show ran from June of 2002 to March of 2008.  “The Wire” was developed by David Simon, a former police reporter, and Ed Burns, a former homicide detective and public school teacher.  Simon and Burn’s intimate knowledge of the streets, courts, and schools made for hyper-realistic scenes and characters. Critics have picked “The Wire” as one of the three best series along with “The Sopranos” and “Breaking Bad”.

Many actors including Idris Elba, Dominic West, Amy Ryan, and the late Michael K. Williams were catapulted into stardom by their roles in “The Wire”.  

Have you watched “The Wire” or are you planning on giving it a shot?