What makes a great TV show, movie, or book different from a regular one? The answer is great characters. Great characters can make even the silliest plot seem plausible and great plots make for great shows. The Wire does just that, combining great writing and plotting with amazing characters to create the greatest TV show of all time.
There are many characters that could be considered main characters such as Jimmy McNulty, Omar Little, Stringer Bell, Lester Freamon, and the great Avon Barksdale. However, many shows have great main characters. What separates The Wire from other shows is the depth and strength of its supporting characters, like Preston “Bodie” Broadus, D’Angelo Barksdale, Chris Partlow and Bunk Moreland.
The Wire is a drama that takes place in the city of Baltimore. It’s about cops trying to catch drug dealers, politicians trying to get elected, schools trying to improve, and even newspapers trying to stay afloat. Jimmy McNulty, perhaps the golden boy of the series, is a detective who puts his work above all else. He will do anything to catch criminals, including breaking the rules. Omar Little, the favorite of many, is a lonely homosexual who robs drug dealers for a living. Lester Freamon is another genius detective who has been buried in the department for putting his job before the ambitions of his superiors in the police department. His brilliance helps the police solve many cases and put many behind bars. Stringer Bell and Avon Barksdale are the leaders of the largest drug organization in Baltimore. Avon is the self-proclaimed “gangsta,” while Stringer takes a more businesslike approach to the whole process. Together they are part of a team that rules the streets with an iron fist.
After these great characters, you have an untold number of other characters. Bodie is the young corner boy on the rise, who wants to make a name for himself. D’Angelo Barksdale is Avon’s nephew who doesn’t know if he’s cut out for the drug game. The “Bunk” is Jimmy McNulty’s partner in the homicide department and his constant greatness is simply amazing. He combines witty humor with great detective work. Another strong supporting character is Howard “Bunny” Colvin. Colvin is a major trying to legalize drugs in an effort to stop crime. He also ends up helping to educate inner city kids. He is another great example of the depth of The Wire’s supporting characters.