The Wire

TV-MA
2002
5 Seasons
9.3 (287,838)

Set in the city of Baltimore, Maryland, where it was also produced, The Wire is part police procedural, part character profile, and part portrait of the American inner city. The show, which aired between 2002 and 2008 on HBO, features a large cast of characters, police officers and criminals alike. Gritty and realistic, The Wire does not shy away from the poverty and struggle in Baltimore's inner-city community or the effects of racism and urban decay on children and families. With five seasons in total, The Wire examines a new major theme with each passing season. Beginning with Baltimore's drug trade, the overarching story focuses in turn on subjects such as the media, inner city government, and the bureaucracy of the public school system. Each challenging subject affects the characters on a professional and personal level. Though the central thematic focus changes from season to season, the characters continuously face infrastructural collapse and career turmoil as the justice system struggles to succeed

Filter by Source

Do you have Paramount+?

What are you waiting for?

Nice! Browse Paramount+ with Yidio.

Ad Info

10. -30-

March 9, 2008

A damaging report by Pearlman and Daniels gets a reaction from Carcetti, while Haynes finds little support for his concerns about a reporters work from the bosses. Meanwhile, McNulty wants to put a homeless case to an end, Dukie searches for an old mentor and a fallen officer is given a wake.

9. Late Editions

March 2, 2008

A promising lead makes Freamon's hard work worthwhile, although McNulty doesn't feel like a celebration.

8. Clarifications

February 24, 2008

A shift in the police department sends Carver to a new location. Meanwhile, Carcetti is forced to put his political future in jeopardy, Haynes digs deeper into Templeton's work, and an important case has a breakthrough by Sydnor, while Fletcher continues working with Bubbles.

7. Took

February 17, 2008

After cooking up another scheme for the homeless case, McNulty and Lester become popular figures. Davis is set for his day in court by collecting the best legal assistance money can buy. Plus, Michael has brushes with the wrong side of the law, while Gus seeks help for an old story by going outside the Sun.

6. The Dickensian Aspect

February 10, 2008

Marlo's crew goes on full alert after Omar's mysterious disappearance. Meanwhile, Carcetti concentrates on the plight of the homeless, while Bunk has an interview with a witness connected with the row-house case, and Templeton looks to a follow up to his recent front page story.

5. React Quotes

February 3, 2008

While the crew awaits a showdown with Omar, Marlo celebrates a business deal. Meanwhile, at the Sun, McNulty and Freamon take advantage of a development regarding the murder of the homeless people, while Dukie heads to Cutty's gym. Also, Herc does Carver a favor as a means to make amends for his past behavior, while Davis takes his case to the court of public opinion.

4. Transitions

January 27, 2008

Omar plots his revenge for his former associates murder now that he's returned from exile. Gus stresses the need for a city-court reporter, after missing out on a grand jury probe. Carcetti finds there are strings attached in his desire to get rid of Burrell. While McNulty investigates the deaths of homeless men, Freamon needs the help of an old friend. Also, Marlo looks to the future in his dealings with the Greeks.

3. Not For Attribution

January 20, 2008

Mayor Carcetti's police department plan is leaked. Marlo turns to Proposition Joe for help. Meanwhile, McNulty strikes up an unexpected ally -- Freamon.

2. Unconfirmed Reports

January 13, 2008

Freamon keeps a look out for Marlo, who is putting together a deal with Avon Barksdale. Davis goes to Burrell for help, but finds that the commissioner's hands are tied. Whiting puts together a series on broad strokes.

1. More With Less

January 6, 2008

McNulty and the detail continue to stake out Marlo and his crew. Recently promoted Sergeant Carver is met with complaints concerning unpaid overtime. Meanwhile, Haynes deals with cutbacks, but is still able to expose a politician's connection to a drug dealer; and Joe, Marlo, Fatface Rick meet to divide up the drug trade across Baltimore.

The Wire

Trailer - 2 min 38 sec

Description

With five seasons in total, The Wire examines a new major theme with each passing season. Beginning with Baltimore's drug trade, the overarching story focuses in turn on subjects such as the media, inner city government, and the bureaucracy of the public school system. Each challenging subject affects the characters on a professional and personal level. Though the central thematic focus changes from season to season, the characters continuously face infrastructural collapse and career turmoil as the justice system struggles to succeedThe Wire is a series that is currently running and has 5 seasons (60 episodes). The series first aired on June 2, 2002.

The Wire is available for streaming on the HBO website, both individual episodes and full seasons. You can also watch The Wire on demand at HBO Max, Amazon Prime, Amazon, Hulu, HBO NOW, Vudu, Microsoft Movies & TV, The Roku Channel, Google Play and Apple TV.