The Wire Cast: 12 Stars Who Went From Baltimore's Streets To Hollywood's Biggest Roles In 2024

Few television dramas have had the cultural impact of HBO’s *The Wire*, a show that launched a generation of acting talent into global stardom. More than 15 years after the final episode aired, the ensemble cast remains one of the most recognizable in television history, with their careers reaching new heights in Hollywood, on the stage, and in activism.

As of late 2024, the actors who once walked the drug-infested streets of Baltimore or navigated the city's corrupt halls of power are busier than ever. From leading major film franchises and playing British royalty to directing blockbusters and continuing vital community work, here is the definitive, up-to-date look at the groundbreaking *The Wire* cast and their most recent and upcoming projects.

The Core Cast: From Baltimore PD to Global Stardom

The main ensemble of *The Wire* established themselves as some of the most versatile actors in the industry. Their post-show careers are a testament to the depth of talent David Simon assembled.

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• Dominic West (Detective James "Jimmy" McNulty)

  Biography & Profile: Born October 14, 1969, in Sheffield, England. West played the brilliant but self-destructive Detective McNulty. Post-*The Wire*, he starred in *The Affair* and, most notably, took on the role of Prince Charles (later King Charles III) in the final seasons of Netflix's prestige drama, *The Crown*. He is an English actor, director, and musician.

  Current/Upcoming Work (2024-2025): West is set to star in the upcoming Sky thriller series *WAR* (2024) alongside Sienna Miller and has joined the stacked cast of the Paramount+ series *The Agency*.

• Idris Elba (Russell "Stringer" Bell)

  Biography & Profile: Born September 6, 1972, in London, England. Elba's portrayal of the calculating drug kingpin Stringer Bell was his breakout role. He has since become a global superstar, known for his work in film, television (especially *Luther*), and as a DJ (DJ Big Driis). He holds an OBE for services to drama.

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  Current/Upcoming Work (2024-2025): Elba has a busy slate, including voicing Knuckles in the film *Sonic The Hedgehog 3* (2024) and starring in the action-comedy film *Heads of State* (2025). He is also expected to return for a second season of the Apple TV+ thriller *Hijack*.

• Wendell Pierce (Detective William "Bunk" Moreland)

  Biography & Profile: Born December 8, 1963, in New Orleans, Louisiana. Pierce is beloved for his role as the witty, cigar-smoking Detective Bunk Moreland. A prolific actor on screen and stage, he is also known for *Treme* and *Suits*.

  Current/Upcoming Work (2024-2025): Pierce's profile is set to explode with his casting as the iconic newspaper editor Perry White in James Gunn's highly anticipated film *Superman* (2025). He also continues his acclaimed stage career, having received significant praise for his lead role as Willy Loman in the London and Broadway revivals of *Death of a Salesman*.

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• Michael B. Jordan (Wallace)

  Biography & Profile: Born February 9, 1987, in Santa Ana, California. Jordan's tragic, short-lived role as the young dealer Wallace was one of the show's most heartbreaking performances. He has since become one of Hollywood's biggest leading men, starring in the *Creed* and *Black Panther* franchises.

  Current/Upcoming Work (2024-2025): Jordan is not only acting in projects like the upcoming film *Sinners* (2025) but is also a major force behind the camera as a director and producer, with projects like *Creed IV* and *Rainbow Six* in development through his production company, Outlier Society.

• Sonja Sohn (Detective Shakima "Kima" Greggs)

  Biography & Profile: Born May 9, 1964, in Newport News, Virginia. Sohn played the groundbreaking role of Detective Kima Greggs. Beyond acting, she is a dedicated activist and filmmaker, focusing on social justice and community engagement in Baltimore.

  Current/Upcoming Work (2024): Sohn continues her steady television career with a recurring role on the ABC series *Will Trent* (as of April 2024). Her non-profit organization, ReWired for Change, which works with at-risk youth and formerly incarcerated individuals in Baltimore, remains a significant part of her life and legacy.

The Legacy of Fallen Giants: Michael K. Williams and Lance Reddick

Two of *The Wire's* most iconic and beloved actors, Michael K. Williams and Lance Reddick, tragically passed away, leaving behind monumental legacies that continue to inspire fans and fellow performers.

• Michael K. Williams (Omar Little)

  Biography & Profile: Born November 22, 1966 – Died September 6, 2021. Williams created the legendary character Omar Little, the gay, shotgun-toting stick-up man who lived by his own code. His career included acclaimed roles in *Boardwalk Empire* and *Lovecraft Country*, for which he received an Emmy nomination.

  Enduring Legacy: Williams’s death in 2021 shook the industry. His legacy is one of bringing depth and humanity to complex, often marginalized characters. He is remembered as an actor’s actor who elevated every project he touched, and his work on *The Wire* is consistently cited as one of the greatest television performances of all time.

• Lance Reddick (Lieutenant/Major Cedric Daniels)

  Biography & Profile: Born June 7, 1962 – Died March 17, 2023. Reddick played the formidable, morally centered police commander Cedric Daniels. Known for his authoritative presence and distinctive voice, he was a fixture in major franchises like *Fringe*, *Bosch*, and the *John Wick* film series.

  Final Projects: Reddick’s sudden passing in 2023 left several projects to be released posthumously. These included his final appearance as Charon in *John Wick: Chapter 4* and his role as Zeus in the Disney+ series *Percy Jackson and the Olympians*. His work continues to be celebrated by fans of high-quality genre television and film.

The Kingpins, Detectives, and Lawyers: Supporting Cast's Latest Moves

The depth of *The Wire's* cast extended far beyond the main players. Many supporting actors have established successful, long-running careers in Hollywood and beyond, solidifying the show's reputation as a true acting incubator.

• Wood Harris (Avon Barksdale)

  The original drug kingpin, Harris has maintained a high-profile career, often working with fellow *Wire* alumni. He reprised his role as Tony 'Little Duke' Evers in the *Creed* franchise, most recently in *Creed III*. In 2024, he also starred in the Netflix series *Forever*.

• Jamie Hector (Marlo Stanfield)

  The ruthless, silent kingpin Marlo Stanfield is now one of TV's most reliable dramatic actors. Hector starred in the Amazon series *Bosch* for years and reunited with *The Wire* co-creator David Simon for the HBO miniseries *We Own This City*. In late 2024, he was seen promoting his latest project, the HBO Max series *Dune: Prophecy*.

• Clarke Peters (Detective Lester Freamon)

  The quiet, meticulous Detective Freamon continues to be a prolific actor on both sides of the Atlantic. Peters' recent work includes the highly anticipated biographical film *Bonhoeffer* (2024), where he plays a key role. He also maintains a strong presence in British television and theater.

• Andre Royo (Reginald "Bubbles" Cousins)

  Royo's heartbreaking portrayal of the informant and addict Bubbles earned him critical acclaim. Since the show, he has diversified his career as an actor, producer, and writer. He had a notable recurring role in the series *Empire* and continues to seek out complex, character-driven roles in independent film and television.

• Deirdre Lovejoy (Assistant State's Attorney Rhonda Pearlman)

  Lovejoy, who played the dedicated prosecutor Rhonda Pearlman, has a robust career in procedural dramas. She is known for her roles in *Bones* and *The Blacklist* (as Cynthia Panabaker). In 2024, she was seen in an episode of *Chicago Med* and continues to be active in the New York theater scene.

• Aidan Gillen (Councilman Thomas Carcetti)

  Gillen, who played the ambitious politician Carcetti, achieved massive global fame as Petyr "Littlefinger" Baelish in HBO's *Game of Thrones*. His recent work includes the crime drama *Kin* and the film *The Last Days of American Crime*.

• Frankie Faison (Deputy Commissioner Ervin Burrell)

  The veteran actor, who played the often-frustrated Commissioner Burrell, continues his long and distinguished career. Faison has had recent roles in the television series *The Rookie* and the film *Coming 2 America*.

The Enduring Power of the Baltimore Saga

The sheer number of actors who have gone on to achieve major success—including other notable names like Seth Gilliam (Sergeant Ellis Carver) in *The Walking Dead*, Jim True-Frost (Detective Roland "Prez" Pryzbylewski) in various stage and screen roles, and Robert Wisdom (Howard "Bunny" Colvin) in *Barry* and *Prison Break*—underscores the show's powerful casting and writing. The enduring appeal of *The Wire* is not just in its unflinching look at institutional failure, but in the incredible talent it cultivated, a talent that continues to dominate the entertainment landscape in 2024 and beyond.

The show's exploration of the Baltimore drug trade, the education system, the media, and city politics provided a masterclass in ensemble acting. The careers of the cast members, from Michael B. Jordan's directorial debut to Dominic West's regal turn, prove that the raw, authentic performances forged in the fires of the HBO drama were merely the beginning of their illustrious journeys. Their work remains a vital chapter in the history of television, and their current projects keep the spirit of *The Wire* alive for a new generation of viewers.