David Simon’s follow-up to “The Wire” on HBO, titled “We Own This City“, continues the theme set by its predecessor, tackling police corruption in Baltimore with unflinching realism. Although David Simon had plans for a sixth season of “The Wire”, focusing on Baltimore’s growing immigrant community and the deeply rooted classism within the healthcare system, the critically acclaimed series concluded with its fifth season. Despite receiving widespread praise from critics and having a dedicated fanbase, “The Wire” was often low in ratings, teetering on the edge of cancellation.
Since the conclusion of The Wire, HBO has continued to collaborate closely with its creator, David Simon, and has brought several of his subsequent productions to life. One such collaboration was Generation Kill, a miniseries focusing on the U.S. invasion of Iraq; another was Show Me a Hero, a miniseries chronicling the turbulent political career of Nick Wasicsko, former mayor of Yonkers; there was also an adaptation of Philip Roth’s The Plot Against America for television, as well as the four-season drama Treme, which explored the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. However, among all of his projects with HBO, it is We Own This City that most resembles a continuation of the storyline from The Wire.
We Own This City Is David Simon’s Spiritual Successor To The Wire
It’s A Shocking True Story About Police Corruption In Baltimore
In the year 2022, Simon, along with George Pelecanos, crafted a TV show adaptation of Justin Fenton’s non-fiction book “We Own This City,” published by The Baltimore Sun. This limited series narrates the rise and demise of the Baltimore Police Department’s Gun Trace Task Force as it was engulfed in corruption. The story unfolds from the perspective of Sergeant Wayne Jenkins, portrayed brilliantly by Jon Bernthal. Jenkins was one of eight officers found guilty on corruption charges in 2018 and 2019. As he grapples with his meager earnings, he resorts to stealing cash from crime scenes.
In a gritty, unflinching portrayal of urban police work reminiscent of Baltimore’s streets, the series We Own This City carries on the legacy of The Wire, particularly resembling its sixth season. Notable actors from David Simon’s previous production, including Jamie Hector (Marlo Stanfield), Delaney Williams (Jay Landsman), Tray Chaney (Poot), Domenick Lombardozzi (Herc), and Jermaine Crawford (Duquan), are among the talented cast members Simon recruited for We Own This City.
In each of the six episodes, Reinaldo Marcus Green, famously known for “King Richard” and “Bob Marley: One Love,” took charge. His unique directorial style is evident throughout the series. Similar to his biographical works, Green avoids portraying conflicts as simply good versus evil. Instead, he imbues every character with humanity, regardless of whether they are law-abiding citizens or those who straddle the line between right and wrong. This balanced perspective was a hallmark of “The Wire,” and “We Own This City” carries on this nuanced viewpoint.
We Own This City Uses All The Storytelling Tricks That The Wire Avoided
The Wire Avoided Fancy Filmmaking Techniques
Although the themes and content in We Own This City mirror those found in The Wire, their filmmaking approaches differ significantly. Unlike The Wire, which aimed to convey its narrative as directly and simply as feasible, prioritizing realism and naturalism for a documentary-like feel that closely depicted the daily routines of police officers and drug dealers (and excelled in this endeavor).
Instead of We Own This City, the series employs techniques and cinematic embellishments that The Wire deliberately shied away from. It incorporates extensive flashbacks, intricate non-linear plots, simplified narrative structures, and distinctive police report-style captions to illustrate its complex dual timelines. The story follows the rise and fall of the Gun Trace Task Force concurrently. In terms of narrative and themes, We Own This City can be seen as a close relative to a potential sixth season of The Wire. However, in terms of style, it stands uniquely apart.
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2025-06-02 02:10