History of The Wire in Timeline
The Wire, created by David Simon, is an HBO crime drama that aired from 2002 to 2008. It explores the drug trade in Baltimore through the eyes of drug dealers and law enforcement. Each season delves into a different facet of the city, including the drug trade, port system, city government, education system, and the media, highlighting the systemic issues and interconnectedness of these institutions. The show aimed to portray a realistic depiction of urban decay and the failures of social institutions. Ed Burns, a former homicide detective and public school teacher, served as Simon's writing partner, influencing the show's realism.
1987: "Way Down in the Hole" Release
In 1987, Tom Waits wrote "Way Down in the Hole," a gospel-and-blues-inspired song for his album Franks Wild Years, which later became the opening theme for The Wire. Each season featured a different recording and opening sequence of the song.
1991: Publication of Homicide: A Year on the Killing Streets
In 1991, David Simon's book, Homicide: A Year on the Killing Streets, was published. It later influenced the creation of the NBC program Homicide: Life on the Street, which, like The Wire, was set in Baltimore.
2000: The Corner miniseries
In 2000, Simon worked with Ed Burns on The Corner, setting the stage for The Wire's focus on depicting the realities of crime and law enforcement.
June 2, 2002: The Wire Series Premiere
On June 2, 2002, The Wire, an American crime drama television series created by David Simon, premiered on HBO.
2002: HBO Airs The Wire Season 1
In 2002, HBO aired the first season of The Wire.
2003: HBO Airs The Wire Season 2
In 2003, HBO aired the second season of The Wire.
2004: Entertainment Weekly names The Wire best show of 2004
In 2004, Entertainment Weekly named The Wire the best show of the year, praising its complexity and depth despite its poor ratings. The Baltimore City Paper also published reasons to keep the show on the air.
2004: HBO Airs The Wire Season 3
In 2004, HBO aired the third season of The Wire.
2004: Robert F. Colesberry's Death
In 2004, Robert F. Colesberry, executive producer for the first two seasons and director of the season 2 finale of The Wire, passed away due to complications from heart surgery. He played a large creative role as a producer.
2004: Emmy Nomination for "Middle Ground"
In 2004, The Wire received a Primetime Emmy Award nomination for Outstanding Writing for a Drama Series for the episode "Middle Ground".
2005: Emmy Nominations
In 2005, The Wire received Emmy nominations. Despite critical acclaim, the show never won a Primetime Emmy Award during its run.
December 2006: Local Students Comment on Impact
In December 2006, local black students in a Washington Post article expressed that The Wire "hit a nerve" within the black community, recognizing the real-life counterparts of the characters portrayed in the series.
2006: Critical Acclaim for Season Four
In 2006, Andrew Johnston of Time Out New York named The Wire the best TV series, especially noting season four for its heartbreaking tale of eighth-graders affected by the public-school system.
2006: HBO Airs The Wire Season 4
In 2006, HBO aired the fourth season of The Wire.
2007: Praise for realism
In 2007, Brian Lowry of Variety magazine described The Wire's fifth season portrayal of a working newsroom at The Baltimore Sun as the most realistic portrayal of the media in film and television.
2007: Time List of Best TV Series
In 2007, Time listed The Wire among the one hundred best television series of all-time.
January 8, 2008: Soundtrack Albums Release
On January 8, 2008, two soundtrack albums were released: The Wire: And All the Pieces Matter—Five Years of Music from The Wire and Beyond Hamsterdam.
March 9, 2008: The Wire Series Finale
On March 9, 2008, The Wire concluded its five-season run on HBO, comprising a total of 60 episodes.
2008: BBC Buys Rights to Air The Wire
In 2008, BBC bought rights to air The Wire in the UK, although it was broadcast late at 11:20 pm on BBC Two.
2008: HBO Airs The Wire Season 5
In 2008, HBO aired the fifth season of The Wire.
2008: Emmy Nominations
In 2008, The Wire received Emmy nominations. Despite critical acclaim, the show never won a Primetime Emmy Award during its run.
2008: Emmy Nomination for "–30–"
In 2008, The Wire was nominated for the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Writing for a Drama Series for the episode "–30–".
2009: BBC Acquires Terrestrial Rights
In 2009, the BBC bought terrestrial television rights to The Wire in the United Kingdom. The show was subsequently broadcast on BBC Two at 11:20 pm.
2010: Nobel Prize Laureate's Review
In 2010, Nobel Prize in Literature Laureate Mario Vargas Llosa wrote a positive critical review of The Wire in the Spanish newspaper El País.
February 2012: Žižek Lecture at Birkbeck
In February 2012, Slovenian philosopher Slavoj Žižek gave a lecture at Birkbeck, University of London, titled The Wire or the clash of civilisations in one country, demonstrating the show's academic and cultural relevance.
April 2012: "Style in The Wire" Video Essay
In April 2012, Norwegian academic Erlend Lavik posted online a 36-minute video essay called "Style in The Wire", analyzing the visual techniques used by the show's directors.
2013: Rankings and Recognition
In 2013, The Wire received significant recognition, including being ranked as the ninth best-written TV series by the Writers Guild of America, the fifth greatest drama and sixth greatest show by TV Guide, and being listed as one of the "26 Best Cult TV Shows Ever" by Entertainment Weekly.
December 26, 2014: Remastered Series Debuts
On December 26, 2014, the remastered 16:9 high-definition version of The Wire debuted on HBO Signature and HBO GO, featuring an open matte of the original 4:3 framing and adjustments overseen by creator David Simon.
2014: CraveTV Release in Canada
In late 2014, The Wire became available in Canada in a remastered 16:9 HD format on the CraveTV streaming service.
June 2, 2015: Blu-ray Box Set Release
On June 2, 2015, the remastered version of The Wire was released as a complete series Blu-ray box set.
2016: Rolling Stone Ranking
In 2016, Rolling Stone ranked The Wire second on its list of the 100 Greatest TV Shows of All Time.
September 2019: The Guardian's Ranking
In September 2019, The Guardian ranked The Wire #2 on its list of the 100 best TV shows of the 21st century.
2022: Rolling Stone Ranking
In 2022, Rolling Stone ranked The Wire fourth on its list of the 100 Greatest TV Shows of All Time.
2023: Variety Ranking
In 2023, Variety ranked The Wire as the seventh-greatest TV show of all time.
