HBO’s We Own This City Is One of the Best HBO Series of All Time

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As a huge fan of HBO, I’ve always appreciated how they consistently deliver really powerful, realistic dramas – shows like The Wire and The Sopranos immediately come to mind, along with more recent hits like Boardwalk Empire and The Rehearsal. But they’re also masters of the limited series, and 2022’s We Own This City is right up there with their very best. What makes it even more compelling is that it’s based on real events – a truly gripping crime drama.

As a huge fan of shows like The Wire, I was immediately hooked by We Own This City. It’s a six-part limited series with an amazing cast, led by Jon Bernthal, and – crucially – it’s from the same creators who brought us that masterpiece. Honestly, it quickly became one of my must-watch shows, and if you’re into well-made, gritty crime dramas, you absolutely need to check it out.

We Own This City Focuses on a Real-Life Corruption Case

Justin Fenton, a journalist currently with the Baltimore Banner (previously with the Baltimore Sun), wrote a nonfiction book about the Baltimore Gun Trace Task Force scandal – a major corruption case within the Baltimore Police Department.

Jon Bernthal plays Sgt. Wayne Jenkins in We Own This City, a six-part HBO miniseries. The show focuses on Jenkins, the leader of the Gun Trace Task Force, and details the story of how he became involved in the corruption scandal, from his early days as an officer to his climb up the ranks and eventual involvement with the Task Force.

As a viewer, what really struck me about the series wasn’t just seeing the FBI investigate this rogue police unit, and watching them question everyone involved. It was seeing those corrupt officers finally get locked up – but even with that resolution, it didn’t feel good. And I think that’s exactly what the show intended – to leave you feeling uneasy, even after justice is served.

We Own This City Explores How Corruption Evolves Within Police Departments

The series examines how officers like Wayne Jenkins of the Gun Trace Task Force ended up facing criminal charges. It follows an attorney, played by Wunmi Mosaku, from the Department of Justice who investigates long-ignored complaints about these officers, revealing how their misconduct went unchecked for years.

The scandal involving the Baltimore Gun Trace Task Force wasn’t a one-time mistake, and the show We Own This City highlights that. It delves into the problems within the police department and the justice system that allowed these officers to misuse their authority, and the culture that prioritized results above all else.

The scandal involving Baltimore’s Gun Trace Task Force goes far beyond simple corruption. Officers were accused of serious misconduct, including racial profiling, fabricating evidence, and stealing money and valuables from crime scenes. Despite these accusations, department leaders ignored the problems because the task force consistently delivered positive results – arrests and seized weapons – which they valued more than ethical policing.

Both the book and HBO series detail how officers in the Gun Trace Task Force acted like they were above the law, believing they could do whatever they pleased without facing repercussions. While everyone involved bears responsibility, Wayne Jenkins and Daniel Hersl were particularly egregious examples of this behavior.

Jon Bernthal and Josh Charles Deliver Outstanding Performances in We Own This City

Despite a strong cast, We Own This City primarily follows the story of Wayne Jenkins. He’s the central figure, and the series focuses on his descent into becoming a corrupt officer, exploring the factors that led him down that path.

Josh Charles delivers a compelling performance as Daniel Hersl, a prejudiced and problematic police officer with a history of complaints. Hersl becomes a key member of the task force, often acting as Jenkins’ close ally. Both Charles and Bernthal convincingly portray the flaws and sense of privilege that define Jenkins and Hersl as police officers.

Beyond the main players, We Own This City features a number of compelling characters. Wunmi Mosaku delivers a standout performance as Nicole Steele, a determined attorney working to reform the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division despite significant obstacles. Jamie Hector, known for his previous work with the creators, portrays Sean Suiter.

Sean Suiter was a Baltimore homicide detective and a former member of the Gun Trace Task Force. He was shot just one day before he was scheduled to testify before a grand jury. The cast of We Own This City also includes Dagmara Domińczyk, David Corenswet, Delaney Williams, and others.

What truly sets We Own This City apart is its compelling storytelling, high-quality production, and the incredible performances from its cast. Critics love it – it currently has a ‘Certified Fresh’ rating of 93% on Rotten Tomatoes. Viewers on IMDb have given it a 7.6 out of 10, with many specifically praising the acting, particularly Jon Bernthal’s performance.

We Own This City offers a raw and honest look at the Baltimore Gun Trace Task Force scandal, showcasing both its successes and failures. It’s a compelling series for anyone who enjoys high-quality crime dramas, and its story feels particularly important and timely even after its initial release. The show is often dark and unsettling, but powerfully relevant.

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2026-03-17 16:37