It started more than 20 years ago and yet it has barely aged a bit. “The Wire”, or “Sur Listening in French” is THE series that you must have seen at least once in your life. Hurry, season 1 is no longer available.
Created by David Simon, a former journalist turned screenwriter, The Wire is often cited as one of the best television series of all time. On AlloCiné, it obtains an average of 4.3 out of 5. From its first season, broadcast in 2002, it revolutionized the detective genre with an approach that is both critical and realistic of American society.
The series depicts the city of Baltimore through the eyes of its most diverse residents: police officers, drug dealers, politicians and ordinary citizens. The first season focuses primarily on the fight against drugs and presents a strategic duel between the police and the neighborhood drug dealers at the center of the Barksdale organization, led by Avon Barksdale (Wood Harris), presented as the most powerful baron drug dealer from Baltimore.
Reality, experience
David Simon uses his experiences as a field and investigative journalist to create a complex story that explores the themes of social inequality, corruption and more generally a city policy that is going awry.
Dominic West plays Detective Jimmy McNulty, a rebellious and intuitive character whose obsession with the Barksdale case often leads to confrontations with his superiors. Joining him are actors like the late Lance Reddick, as Lt. Cedric Daniels, and Sonja Sohn, playing Detective Kima Greggs. They compose, among others, characters larger than life, with their sincerity and their contradictions.
Idris Elba – revealed to the general public thanks to the series – plays the role of the charismatic and calculating Stringer Bell. This Barksdale ally is also a pillar of the series, offering a more nuanced character than the traditional stereotype of the drug dealer, without making him an angel!
Without forgetting the late Michael K. Williams in the role of Omar Little, a character who has become cult. He is a notorious Baltimore robber, who frequently robs street drug dealers. He is legendary in the city for his long coat, under which he hides his rifle, handgun and bulletproof vest, as well as for his facial scar and the fact that he always whistles the same tune when he tracks down his targets. Openly homosexual, he is as much feared as respected.
A grandiose series
The Wire shines with its meticulous writing and attention to detail, as Simon offers an uncompromising view of crime and its impact on all levels of society. The first season sets the bar very high in terms of narrative development and realism, laying the foundations for a work that remains relevant and influential even today.
With its exceptional cast and relentless storyline, The Wire season 1 is not just the start of a series, but the awakening of a conscience, inviting deep reflection on American society. Among its fans, the series counts Barack Obama who had the pleasure of interviewing David Simon in the video below.
The first season of The Wire is available until May 31 on Prime Video.
