The Wire Cast: Where Are They Now?
7. Aiden Gillen
No one in fiction let us down worse than Thomas Carcetti. The councilman turned mayor was supposed to turn things around for the city of Baltimore, but instead allowed his career ambition to overcome his principles. Aiden Gillen gives a trademark slimy performance (with a trademark slightly dodgy accent), smartly evolving the character from saviour to jerk.
One of the better established actors pre-Wire, Gillen’s subsequent work has included some especially prominent projects. Most telly fans will know him as Game Of Thrones’ arch schemer Petyr Baelish, a character he took on with relish, if an often distractingly inconsistent voice.
He was enjoyably unhinged as Romany hitman Aberama Gold on the similarly popular Peaky Blinders, and headed up several shows in his native Ireland, including hosting four seasons of Other Voices, a live music showcase.
He has acted in some major movies like Maze Runner and King Arthur, but his big screen highlight is Calvary, John Michael McDonagh’s superb Brendan Gleeson-starring drama. A great showcase of Irish actors, Gillen shines among his contemporaries.