Ranking Characters Of The Wire: The Streets
1. Omar Little
Omar Little is not just the most well known character in The Wire, he is one of the most iconic characters in television history and for good reason. The stickup artist who made a living out of robbing drug dealers was a mythical Robin Hood kind of figure on the streets of Baltimore for all five seasons of the show.
The Wire is often so focused on realism that a larger than life character like Omar really stands out. He provided escapism for the viewer as his antics were often the most surreal and cinematic. Michael Kenneth Williams dominates the part with an energetic wit and humour that make Omar immensely likable.
Everything about Omar denies the conventions set up for the rest of the show. From his openly gay lifestyle, to his ability to have a code but also snitch if it suits him. Omar was given the best unique material to shine on The Wire.
After so many episodes as a glorified figure, it was infuriating to see him be murdered so suddenly. It was a murder that made sense however, as a character that spent so long as a fantastical vigilante, he was brought back down to reality in a quick killing that resulted in minimal fanfare after the fact. A suitable comment on the fragility that comes with living in the game.