The Wire Remains HBO's Greatest TV Show

David Simon's groundbreaking drama still sets the gold standard for prestige television two decades later.

Published on Feb. 19, 2026

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

HBO's trailblazing prestige drama The Wire, starring Dominic West, Idris Elba, Lance Reddick, and Wendell Pierce, continues to be regarded as one of the most important and influential television shows of the 21st century. Despite receiving minimal awards recognition during its original run from 2002 to 2008, the series has only grown in stature and is now ranked #6 on IMDb's Top 250 TV shows with a 9.3 rating.

Why it matters

The Wire's sprawling, multi-season exploration of Baltimore's institutions and the interconnected web of the city's drug economy, law enforcement, politics, schools, and media has cemented its legacy as a landmark work of television storytelling. Its refusal to provide easy answers or take sides, along with its commitment to granting equal empathy to both sides of the law, has made it a critic-proof classic that continues to resonate with audiences.

The details

Created by former Baltimore crime reporter David Simon, The Wire followed a five-season blueprint that expanded its scope with each new season. Season 1 centered on the drug war between the Barksdale organization and the Baltimore Police Department, Season 2 shifted to the city's docks and port workers, Season 3 explored City Hall and the impact of politics on policing, Season 4 delved into the city's underfunded school system, and Season 5 examined the media's role in shaping the narrative around the city's problems.

  • The Wire ran for five seasons from 2002 to 2008.
  • The series is currently ranked #6 on IMDb's Top 250 TV shows with a 9.3 rating.

The players

The Wire

HBO's trailblazing prestige drama that changed the landscape of television.

David Simon

The creator of The Wire, a former Baltimore crime reporter who set out to map an entire city through the series.

Dominic West

The actor who portrayed Detective Jimmy McNulty, one of the lead characters in The Wire.

Idris Elba

The actor who portrayed Stringer Bell, a complex and nuanced character in The Wire.

K. Michael Williams

The actor who portrayed Omar Little, a wary and tender stick-up man who became an iconic character in The Wire.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

The takeaway

The Wire's enduring legacy as one of the greatest television shows of all time, despite its lack of awards recognition during its original run, is a testament to the power of its storytelling and its ability to capture the complexities of urban life in a way that continues to resonate with audiences two decades later.