The Best Series To Watch If You Miss The Wire

HBO’s The Wire is one of the most critically acclaimed shows of all time, set on the streets of Baltimore in the middle of a drug epidemic. The series showed the narcotics scene from the perspectives of law enforcement, drug dealers, gang members, and drug users in a gritty and realistic depiction of a city torn apart by crimes. The series featured star-making turns from Idris Elba, Lance Reddick, Michael K. Williams, and Michael B. Jordan, among others, across its five-season run, with multiple twists and turns along the way.

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A consistently brilliant show to its end, The Wire has an overall rating of 95% on Rotten Tomatoes, with many praising the show for holding a mirror up to society at the time, able to tackle hard-hitting stories across its five seasons. Undoubtedly, many fans still miss the show and, for those fans, these are the best series to watch to fill the void left behind by the tale of drugs and law enforcement in Baltimore told by The Wire.

6

Breaking Bad

A High School Chemistry Teacher Turned Meth Kingpin

For fans looking to dive into another story of cat-and-mouse between drug dealers and law enforcement, look no further than one of the best shows of all time, Breaking Bad. The series begins when high-school chemistry teacher Walter White, played magnificently by Bryan Cranston, is diagnosed with cancer and looks to make money to provide for his family by making crystal meth. Across five seasons, viewers witness Walt dive deeper into his criminal persona of Heisenberg whilst trying to continually avoid suspicion from the DEA, with his brother-in-law being the lead agent on his tail.

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The writing and performances in Breaking Bad are superb throughout the show’s run, with multiple Emmy wins to show for it. The story is filled with tension, twists, and jaw-dropping moments. This makes Breaking Bad a great series for fans who miss The Wire.

5

Narcos

Based On The True Story Of Pablo Escobar

The Wire featured a gritty and realistic depiction of the drug epidemic in Baltimore, and this is mirrored by the story of Pablo Escobar’s drug operation in Colombia in Narcos. The series is told from the perspective of American DEA agent Steve Murphy as he joins the fight to try and bring down Escobar’s cartel. Narcos also dives into the history of Escobar and how he became a drug kingpin in South America, and shows both the internal struggles within the cartel and their battles with the DEA.

The series features great performances across the board and depicts a violent and gritty exploration into the South American drug trade and the rise of Escobar. For its gripping story, Narcos is a must-watch series for fans who miss The Wire.

4

Peaky Blinders

An Exploration Into The Criminal Underworld In 1919 Birmingham

Peaky Blinders follows the Shelby crime family in Birmingham as they aim to become the dominant crime family in 1919. They begin as a small-time gang focused on fixing horse races whilst masterminding different power plays to gain more control. The series has seen the gang’s leader, Tommy Shelby, continue to aspire upwards, gaining control of the drug trade before moving into politics, facing foes both local and international.

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The setting of Peaky Blinders shows both the glitz and glamor of being at the very top, while never neglecting the grit of post-war Birmingham. This makes it perfect for fans of The Wire, with its criminal underworld being fleshed out in great detail and featuring great writing and an incredible cast, including Cillian Murphy, Tom Hardy, and the late Helen McCrory.

3

Ozark

A Series About Money Laundering For The Mexican Cartel

Marty Byrde is a mild-mannered financial advisor who launders money for the Mexican cartel. But after a plan goes wrong, he’s sent to the Ozarks, forced to launder a huge amount of money to keep his family safe. In Ozark, Jason Bateman, traditionally known for his comedic performances, takes on a darker role as a man who’ll stop at nothing to keep his family safe.

Across its four-season run, Ozark progressively raises its stakes from local crime families causing a threat to Marty’s operation, the DEA closing in, and the constant looming threat that the cartel could do away with the family entirely. The constant throughout the series is a great exploration of the financial aspects of a huge drug operation, making it perfect for fans of The Wire.

2

We Own This City

A Spiritual Successor To The Wire Set In Baltimore

We Own This City is a spiritual successor to The Wire, taking place in Baltimore and focusing on the Gun Trace Task Force in the city, exploring the dark criminal underbelly present in the city. Written by the same team as The Wire ​​​​​​but based on a true story, fans can find plenty of entertainment in this miniseries, even if it’s not quite as polished as its predecessor.

The series, similar to The Wire, refuses to shy away from the grit of the Baltimore crime scene, showcasing the impact gangs have whilst also depicting the role dirty cops can play within a corrupt system. Fans of The Wire looking to dive back into Baltimore’s criminal underworld should look no further than We Own This City.

1

The Sopranos

The Tumultuous Tale Of A Crime Boss In New Jersey

One of the best crime TV shows of all time, The Sopranos is an outstanding exploration of the mental toll that comes from being at the head of a crime family. Throughout the six seasons, the audience is put in the hot seat of Tony Soprano’s therapy sessions, where he dances around the impact of being a mob boss whilst also showing the horrific acts he must orchestrate to stay in control.

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A seminal piece of storytelling that went head-to-head with The Wire on HBO when it aired, The Sopranos is fondly remembered nearly two decades after its divisive finale for its exploration of mature themes and familial struggle set in the criminal world. For these reasons, The Sopranos is perfect for fans who miss The Wire.

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