The Wire poster

Where to watch

Each link opens a search on that service. Checked 13 October 2026.

Streaming data from JustWatch

The Wire

2002–2008 · TV Show · 60 min episodes · 5 seasons

Every rating

IMDb’s figure comes from IMDb’s own data file, which we re-read about once a month.

Google: Google retired the star ratings it used to show in search results, so this one no longer updates. More on where the numbers come from →

85–96 out of 100

Mostly agreed

Lowest is Kinopoisk on 85, highest is Rotten Tomatoes viewers on 96.

See the TV shows the platforms disagree about most →
Compare Trailer

The Baltimore drug scene, as seen through the eyes of drug dealers and law enforcement.

Details

Created by
David Simon
Released
2 June 2002
Country
United States
Language
English, Greek, Mandarin, Spanish
Episode length
60 min
Rated
TV-MA
Episodes
60 across 5 seasons
Awards
16 wins, 44 nominations

This title elsewhere

Dominic West

Dominic West

Jimmy McNulty

Lance Reddick

Lance Reddick

Cedric Daniels

Sonja Sohn

Sonja Sohn

Kima Greggs

Wendell Pierce

Wendell Pierce

Bunk Moreland

Deirdre Lovejoy

Deirdre Lovejoy

Rhonda Pearlman

John Doman

John Doman

William Rawls

Clarke Peters

Clarke Peters

Lester Freamon

Awards & nominations

See all 60 →

2 major awards won · 16 wins from 60 nominations across 21 ceremonies

Directors Guild of America Awards 2009 Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Dramatic Series – Night Dan Attias (for " Transitions ") Winner
Writers Guild of America Awards 2008 Television: Dramatic Series The Wire Winner
Writers Guild of America Awards 2009 Television: Dramatic Series The Wire Nominee
Primetime Emmy Awards 2008 Outstanding Writing for a Drama Series David Simon and Ed Burns (for " -30- ") Nominee
Writers Guild of America Awards 2008 Television: Episodic Drama David Simon and Ed Burns (for " Final Grades ") Nominee
Primetime Emmy Awards 2005 Outstanding Writing for a Drama Series George Pelecanos and David Simon (for " Middle Ground ") Nominee
American Black Film Festival Awards 2020 Classic Television Award The Wire Winner
American Cinema Editors Awards 2009 Best Edited One-Hour Series for Non-Commercial Television Kate Sanford (for " More With Less ") Nominee
Show all 60 awards across 21 ceremonies

Awards from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA.