The Wire Cast: Where Are They Now?

Season two’s docks storyline introduced us to Beadie Russell, an unambitious port officer whose crash course in proper police investigation opens her eyes to the issues beseeching the city at every level. Amy Ryan is only given a few episodes to work with, but creates a compelling and hugely likeable character.

Towards the end of The Wire Ryan appeared in several high profile films, including Sidney Lumet’s terrific Before the Devil Knows You're Dead and Ben Affleck’s Gone Baby Gone, scoring an Oscar nomination for her portrayal of Helene McCready, the brash Bostonian whose missing daughter kicks off the film.

Her film career remains strong, with appearances in awards faves Birdman and Bridge Of Spies, and a starring role in badly titled but compelling indie Abundant Acreage Available, which makes great use of her scrappy underdog qualities.

Outside of The Wire she’s perhaps best known for playing Holly Flax in the US Office. This is a deft performance from Ryan, who takes a zany character that has the potential to be intensely annoying but instead delivering a charming performance as the central part of a winning love story.