Ranking Characters Of The Wire: The Law
12. Beatrice 'Beadie' Russell
Beadie is the clear emotional core of The Wire's second season. An officer working at the port, Beadie discovers the bodies of 13 dead sex workers sealed inside a container. This leads to her being detailed to the case and working under Cedric Daniels for the season.
Her lack of experience is noticeable against the other detectives but her spirit and determination to achieve justice for the deceased women is an admirable attribute she exhibits. Her local knowledge and connections within Frank Sobotka's stevedores also proves useful in making significant advancements in the case.
After having a flirtatious relationship throughout the season, Beadie is used sparingly in the subsequent seasons of the show as McNulty's love interest. It is a shame that a compelling character like Beadie was reduced to McNulty's partner who he eventually begins to cheat on especially since it feels like she could've been used in so many other ways.
Their relationship can be sweet at times and McNulty clearly cares for Beadie's two young children, but she deserves better than being reduced to a long suffering spouse.