In 2002, HBO released David Simon’s groundbreaking crime drama The Wire. Unlike other series that focus on a single setting, each season of The Wire explores a different side of Baltimore while still following the same core characters and advancing ongoing storylines.
Praised for its literary themes and undaunted portrayal of society, politics, and urban life, the series earned critical acclaim despite only achieving modest ratings during its original run. While it didn’t secure major awards, it developed a devoted cult following over time and is now widely regarded as one of the greatest television series ever made.
Curious about what makes The Wire so unique and brilliant? Fortunately, it’s available on major streaming platforms — here’s where you can watch it.
Where to Watch The Wire Online?
Set in Baltimore, Maryland, The Wire explores the city’s challenges through the perspectives of both law enforcement and those on the other side of the law.
It weaves together police investigations with the lives of criminals, politicians, educators, journalists, and ordinary citizens to reveal how institutions shape, and often fail, the people within them.
Where to Watch The Wire In the US:
- Streaming: Max (formerly HBO Max), Hulu (with Max add-on)
- Purchase or Rent: Apple TV, Prime Video
Where to Watch The Wire In the UK:
- Streaming: Sky Atlantic, NOW
- Purchase or Rent: Rakuten TV, Amazon Video, Sky Store, Apple TV
Please note that The Wire’s availability may vary due to regional licensing restrictions. If the show isn’t accessible in your area, you can use a reliable VPN service to help bypass geo-blocks and unlock streaming options.
How to Watch The Wire Using a VPN?
Regional restrictions may limit your ability to access The Wire from certain parts of the world. To bypass these geo-blocks, a VPN can mask your IP address, making it appear as though you’re streaming from a supported country such as the US or UK.
Best VPNs for Watching The Wire
- ExpressVPN: Highly regarded for its reliability, speed, global server network, strong streaming support, and user-friendly interface.
- NordVPN: Offers an extensive server count, fast speeds, and support for multiple simultaneous connections.
- Surfsharkin: Provides solid speeds and unlimited connections at a budget-friendly price point.
While all three are excellent choices, ExpressVPN excels in its consistency, broad streaming access, and ease of use when watching The Wire — we know, having used it for streaming ourselves.
How to Use ExpressVPN to Stream The Wire
- Sign Up: Subscribe to ExpressVPN and download the app on your preferred device.
- Connect: Open the app and connect to a server in the US, UK, or another supported region.
- Stream: Launch your streaming platform of choice, grab some popcorn, and enjoy The Wire.
How Did The Wire Become One of the Greatest TV Shows of All Time?
Airing for five seasons from 2002 to 2008, The Wire is widely praised as an original and groundbreaking series that is almost anti-cop.
Unlike typical police dramas, which often feature characters battling a dysfunctional system, David Simon’s show focuses on the systems themselves, revealing how deeply corrupted they are and how they fail the very people they are meant to serve.
With that being said, it’s no surprise, then, that in 2021, The Wire was named the greatest TV series of the 21st century in a BBC Culture poll.
- "I'm glad the show has a shelf life," Simon said. "We weren't interested in whether characters were good or bad. The writers had in their heads the idea, 'If a society is going to have a law enforcement arm, what's the job of that institution? What are the police doing?' If you write a show like that, it will have a shelf life for as long as those systems are in play."
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