The Wire Cast: Where Are They Now?

13. Michael K Williams

The Wire
HBO

The Wire’s breakout character, if not the breakout star, Omar Little is an iconic modern TV character. The charismatic outlaw skirts the line of fantasy in otherwise committedly realistic show, but Michael K Williams’ quiet menace and empathy helps keep the shotgun toting renegade on the right side of believability.

The distinctive performer has fared well since The Wire shut up shop, and was in demand for mostly minor roles in significant movies from the off. He appeared in post-apocalyptic gloomfest The Road, Oscar winner 12 Years A Slave, and majorly underrated PT Anderson flick Inherent Vice.

Fans of nonsense will recognise him as police officer James in R Kelly’s Trapped In The Closet saga, with Williams’ character backstory too convoluted to approach here.

TV remains Williams’ most notable career avenue, though. He was a highlight of Boardwalk Empire, playing Harlem don Chalky White for the full run. He has since picked up Emmy nominations for roles in three critically lauded productions, Bessie, The Night Of, and 2019’s heart wrenching When They See Us, the true story of the Central Park Five.

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Yorkshire-based writer of screenplays, essays, and fiction. Big fan of having a laugh. Read more of my stuff @ www.twotownsover.com (if you want!)