‘The Wire’ Should Be Considered HBO’s Greatest TV Show

With awards season kicking off this winter, it’s a good reminder that winning an Oscar, BAFTA, Emmy, or Golden Globe isn’t everything. Despite being considered one of the best TV shows of all time – currently ranked #6 on IMDb’s Top 250 with a 9.3 rating – and revolutionizing television, HBO’s groundbreaking crime drama The Wire never received major award recognition during its five seasons and 60 episodes, which aired from 2002 to 2008.

Despite receiving two Emmy nominations for its writing, The Wire is more than just an award-winning show. It offers a powerful and enduring look at the systems behind crime in Baltimore, and its themes feel even more relevant today than they did over 20 years ago. It’s a critically acclaimed masterpiece that doesn’t need awards to prove its worth, and its continued impact is a true gift to viewers.

‘The Wire’s Game-Changing Format and Subject Matter Have Appreciated in Value

HBO

Created by David Simon, a former crime reporter in Baltimore, The Wire is considered one of HBO’s most groundbreaking and influential TV series, alongside The Sopranos. Drawing on his own experiences, Simon aimed to depict the complete workings of the criminal justice system in Baltimore. Each season of the show focuses on a different part of the city impacted by the drug trade.

The first season of The Wire centers on the fierce conflict between drug kingpin Avon Barksdale and the Baltimore Police Department, particularly Detective Jimmy McNulty and his colleagues. Through police wiretaps, the show offers a rare and understanding look into the lives of people on both sides of the law.

Instead of simply painting a picture of heroes and villains, the show gives equal attention, empathy, and understanding to both Barksdale’s drug organization and McNulty’s police team. The show’s realism is heightened by the use of non-professional actors. Viewers hadn’t previously seen criminals portrayed with such depth – characters like Stringer Bell, who were shown to have complex motivations and aspirations. And they hadn’t seen anyone like Omar Little, a surprisingly vulnerable stick-up artist who carried weapons under his signature coat.

Despite the chance to simply recreate the success of its first season, The Wire is remembered for consistently exploring how the drug trade impacts different parts of Baltimore each year. For example, season two shifted the focus from the streets to the city’s port, bringing in a new set of characters who had surprising connections to those we met in season one.

Each season of The Wire tackles a different facet of Baltimore’s problems, and together they paint a comprehensive picture of urban decay. Season 3 exposes corruption in politics and its connection to the drug trade. Season 4 examines how a failing school system limits opportunities for low-income residents, often pushing them towards drug-related activities. The final season highlights the media’s role, showing how the pursuit of ratings overshadows investigative journalism and revealing the interconnectedness of the city’s institutions – from the docks and schools to politics and the press – with the drug trade. While each season is excellent on its own, the series as a whole is truly exceptional.

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Instead of sticking to what already worked, The Wire fearlessly broadened its focus each season to deliver its compelling message. Despite never winning a major award like a Primetime Emmy or Golden Globe, The Wire is still considered one of the most influential TV shows of the 21st century.

Even today, in 2026, The Wire remains one of HBO’s greatest TV shows. It’s praised for portraying both ‘good guys’ and ‘bad guys’ with understanding, and for realistically depicting how crime affects all parts of Baltimore – from the streets to the police, schools, and government.

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2026-02-16 15:35

‘The Wire’s Game-Changing Format and Subject Matter Have Appreciated in Value

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