Michael B. Jordan Reflects on Pivotal 'The Wire' Moment That Sparked His Acting Passion

The acclaimed actor recalls a key conversation with co-star Andre Royo that helped him fully immerse himself in a character.

Published on Feb. 16, 2026

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In a recent interview, actor Michael B. Jordan discussed the pivotal moment during his time on the acclaimed HBO series 'The Wire' that made him realize his true passion for acting. Jordan recalled a conversation with co-star Andre Royo, who played the character of Bubbles, where Royo helped the young actor understand what it felt like to fully inhabit a character, especially one going through drug addiction. This experience was a turning point for Jordan, who said it was from that moment that he became driven to 'lose yourself in somebody that's not you' through his acting.

Why it matters

Michael B. Jordan is one of the most sought-after actors in Hollywood today, with a string of acclaimed performances under his belt. This story provides insight into the formative experiences that helped shape his craft and passion for the art of acting, shedding light on the journey of a talented performer who has risen to the top of his field.

The details

Jordan was 12 years old when he landed his first major TV role on 'The Sopranos,' but it was his work on 'The Wire' in 2002 that proved to be a pivotal moment. Surrounded by veteran actors, Jordan struggled to fully embody his character Wallace, who was going through a drug addiction storyline. Seeking guidance, Jordan turned to his co-star Andre Royo, who played the drug-addicted character Bubbles. Royo took the time to walk Jordan through what it felt like to be high and get lost in the character, an experience that Jordan said made him realize the power of fully inhabiting a role. From that point on, Jordan said he became driven to chase that feeling of losing himself in a character, which has clearly served him well in his acclaimed career.

  • In 2002, Jordan appeared in 12 of the 13 episodes in the first season of 'The Wire'.
  • The pivotal conversation with Andre Royo happened at the end of 'The Wire' season 1.

The players

Michael B. Jordan

A 39-year-old acclaimed actor who has starred in numerous hit films and TV shows, including 'The Wire,' 'Creed,' and 'Sinners.'

Andre Royo

An actor who played the role of Bubbles, a drug-addicted character, on the HBO series 'The Wire.'

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What they’re saying

“The moment was Andre Royo [who played] Bubbles, it was at the end of the first season of The Wire, and it was right around the time Wallace started to use drugs. And, at the time, I didn't know what drugs [were]. I mean, I never did anything before. And [Royo] was walking me through what it was like as a junkie, because he played Bubbles, [who] is a drug addict on the show, you know, what it felt like to take drugs and to get high.”

— Michael B. Jordan (cinemablend.com)

“I was like, 'I don't know what the hell I'm doing.' I'm just kind of imitating, and I felt kind of really vulnerable, because I didn't know if I was going to get exposed for not knowing what the hell I was doing. And [Royo] came to set the day that he wasn't working. He went in my trailer, and he kind of talked me through it and he kind of went through the motions. And I was like, 'Oh, this is what it feels like to kind of get lost in a character, in a moment.'”

— Michael B. Jordan (cinemablend.com)

The takeaway

Michael B. Jordan's story highlights the importance of mentorship and the transformative power of fully immersing oneself in a character, even at a young age. His pivotal experience on 'The Wire' helped shape his passion for acting and laid the foundation for the acclaimed career he has built, demonstrating the profound impact that a single meaningful interaction can have on an aspiring performer.