Common Sense Media Review
By Melissa Camacho
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Realistic drama about urban crime is not for kids.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 18+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
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The Wire
Parent and Kid Reviews
Based on 7 parent reviews
Based on 13 kid reviews
Kids say this series is a profound exploration of harsh realities such as poverty, crime, and systemic injustice, but it's undeniably meant for an adult audience due to its excessive profanity, graphic violence, and explicit sexual content. While the slow pacing might bore younger viewers, adults appreciate the show's intricate storytelling and its critical commentary on societal issues, highlighting its status as one of the greatest in television history.
- mature themes
- excessive profanity
- graphic violence
- adult audience
- complex storytelling
Summarized with AI
Summarized with AI
What's the Story?
THE WIRE is an award-winning drama that powerfully addresses many of the complex issues plaguing America's inner cities, presents a gritty, realistic interpretation of urban life, and underscores the idea that urban crime is a product of both a socially and politically flawed society. The show centers on the Baltimore police department's ability to access criminal organizations through the use of electronics and wiretap surveillance. The series looks at government and law enforcement's inability to "win the war" against drugs, gangs, racism, poverty, and political corruption. Boasting a large ensemble cast -- including Lance Reddick as Lt. Cedric Daniels, Dominic West as Detective Jimmy McNulty, and Wood Harris as drug lord Avon Barksdale -- The Wire's cops and criminals aren't simply "good guys" and "bad guys," but multifaceted individuals struggling to survive and succeed in a world with its own set of values and rules of justice. Meanwhile, the members of Baltimore's political circle -- including Mayor Clarence V. Royce (Glynn Turman) and Councilman Thomas Carcetti (Aiden Gillen) -- negotiate both the law and the streets.
Is It Any Good?
While The Wire takes a much-needed critical look at the social problems and institutional ineffectiveness of urban America, it fails to offer gratifying solutions to those problems. But in many ways that's actually the strength of this unflinchingly violent, realistic show; its straightforward, uncomfortable portrayal of America's urban crisis makes the issues facing urban America difficult to forget.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the realities of living in an urban area. Are all inner-city communities affected by drug trafficking and violent crime? What causes these problems? Are there any effective solutions?
While the media typically highlights drug-related crimes in urban areas, do these problems also impact other types of communities?
Issues surrounding race and class can also be discussed.
TV Details
- Premiere date : June 2, 2002
- Cast : Dominic West , Lance Reddick , Wood Harris
- Networks : BET , HBO , Syndicated
- Genre : Drama
- TV rating :
- Award : NAACP Image Award - NAACP Image Award Nominee
- Last updated : October 9, 2025
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