10 TV Shows Everyone Should Watch At Least Once
3. The Wire
Conceived as a adaptation project by former police reporter David Simon from the experiences of former homicide detective Ed Burns, The Wire became arguably the first show to popularise the phrase "Golden Age of Television".
Law enforcement had populated other small-screen franchises before, but never had it achieved this level of popularity. Set in Baltimore, Maryland, The Wire follows a different branch of the law across five seasons. Despite this change in setting, we follow the same recurring characters across sixty episodes.
A range of criminal investigations ensue, with many of them being led by the then unknown Dominic West and John Doman in the lead roles alongside Idris Elba's brilliant turn as Russel "Stringer" Bell.
The way the show balances so many characters, themes and events across its extended runtime made it a huge success from start to finish. It's both modern and deep, layering on a strong substance that few of its contemporaries can match. The show went beyond other cop dramas by portraying the lives within the city to a highly polished standard.
This crime drama goes beyond the typical investigation storyline by integrating real-life issues and urban culture to enhance its already excellent cast.