The Definitive List Of The Greatest The Wire Characters [Photos]

25. D’Angelo “D” Barksdale

D’Angelo Barksdale had the misfortune of being born into the family business, as his mother was the sister of Westside kingpin, Avon Barksdale. D, as the corner boys he oversaw called him, put in work but the struggle with morality weighed him down in the end.

24. Wallace

One can’t help but feel sorry for Wallace, a teenage drug dealer caught in the game but a devoted big brother and kind soul. It was easy to root for Wallace to make it out, but the game was too vicious.

23. Nickolas Andrew “Nick” Sobotka

Nick Sobotka gets pulled into the game in a most interesting fashion. While working on the docks for his crooked uncle, he ends up getting into drug dealing with the help of his knuckle-headed cousin, Ziggy. Nick’s fall from grace is depressing to watch, but gives a inside look of how Baltimore’s poor have been slammed despite the color of their skin.

22. Melvin “Cheese” Wagstaff

Method Man’s turn as Cheese, Prop Joe’s nephew, gave some Hip-Hop street cred to the show. Mostly yucking it up for the camera, Cheese played a vital role in the show later on.

21. Cedric Daniels

When we first encounter Daniels, he’s a well-respected, by-the-books lieutenant. His rise to police commissioner by the show’s end was commendable considering what he faced plus rumors of corruption, he displayed his dignity in the end,

20. Lester Freamon

More than a “cuddly housecat,” Detective Lester Freamon was a rising police officer in Baltimore who got demoted to a lower unit. Freamon never lost his skills as a cop, electing to not display them. But when it came time for him to show up in taking down the Barksdale group, Freamon’s worth would be invaluable.

19. Kima Greggs

Detective Greggs was a rarity on the show, one of the few women with prominent roles. Fearless and dedicated, Kima nearly paid the ultimate price while on the job. Because of her personal issues, she also struggled to maintain relationships.

18. Roland “Prez” Pryzbylewski

We’re introduced to officer Roland Pryzbylewski, better known as Prez, in season 1. The hot-headed and incompetent street cop becomes adept at cracking the Barksdale drug trade code and breaks open the case. However, Prez’s inability to handle the job comes at a high expense which leads to a career change.

17. R. Clayton “Clay” Davis

An ambitious but corrupt Maryland state senator, Clay Davis represents how greed and power can turn on someone. Davis’ infamous “sheeeeeeeeiiiit” line has become the stuff of legend.

16. Brother Mouzone

A hired killer from New York, Brother Mouzone struck fear into the hearts of Barksdale’s and Prop Joe’s men on the street despite his tailored appearance. With a deep knowledge of weaponry and a quick trigger finger, Brother Mouzone was part of a much deeper plot that unfolded later in the show.

15. Preston “Bodie” Broadus

Bodie was one of the young “hoppers” or corner boys in West Baltimore. Hot-headed, unpredictable and thirsty for power, Bodie never managed to make it to big dog status despite his undeniable heart.

14. The Greek

Not much is known about The Greek except that he runs an international human trafficking and drug operation from the ports in Baltimore. A quiet, older gentleman, The Greek – who actually isn’t Greek – doesn’t say much and prefers to let his workers run the show. Basically, this dude is the plug of all plugs.

13. William “Bunk” Moreland

The Bunk was a “murder police,” or homicide detective, partnered with his drinking buddy, Jimmy McNulty. A boisterous man with quick wit, Bunk’s main goal was clearing cases and getting hammered at the bar at his leisure. Like McNulty, he was a man of flaws but definitely did his thing behind the shield.

12. Roland “Wee-Bey” Brice

Wee-Bey is forever immortalized by way of the greatest (and perhaps most overused) gif in Internets history. The Barksdale enforcer is a loyal soldier, going down with the ship yet never changing his allegiances.

11. Jimmy McNulty

In some ways, the entire heart of The Wire beats inside Detective Jimmy McNulty’s chest. At all times a disobeying officer, an alcoholic, a philanderer and overall indecent human being, McNulty is “natural police” as they say on the show. He was far and beyond the most dedicated when he had a case to solve. But his demons often won the battle within.

10. Michael Lee

Season four of the show introduces fans to a new generation of cold-blooded killer in Michael Lee. Mike isn’t hardened by the realities of the street despite a secret he hides, but gets wrapped up in the game with Marlo’s team. Before too long, Mike’s soul has turned so dark that all he knows how to do is rob, kill and steal.

9. Chris Partlow

Marlo Stanfield’s top bodyguard, Chris Partlow is a cold-hearted killer. Every time he’s on screen, violence can be expected.

8. Felicia “Snoop” Pearson

One of the more true-to-life characters on the show, Snoop was an enforcer in the Stanfield Organization. Snoop’s unique ways in killing along with she and Partlow’s methods of discarding bodies was ruthless to say the least.

7. Avon Barksdale

West Baltimore drug kingpin Avon Barksdale was the target of the Baltimore police in the first season of the show, proving elusive and mysterious all at once. Barksdale’s ambition to run Baltimore’s illegal drug trade and a desire to never conform made him vicious, dangerous and somehow admirable.

6. Joseph “Prop Joe” Stewart

Eastside kingpin Joseph “Prop Joe” Stewart ruled his section of Baltimore with a quieter hand than his younger rival. While Barksdale employed street muscle, Prop Joe believed in working out agreements to avoid unnecessary losses in bloodshed and money. During the show, Prop Joe also had the best product on the street by way of him being close to the plug, The Greek.

5. Reginald “Bubbles” Cousins

Bubbles, the most resourceful dope fiend on the planet, was instrumental as a police informant. With his close connection to the streets by way of his limiting addiction, Bubbles proved he was far more than an addict on a few occasions.

4. Slim Charles

A brooding, serious enforcer within the Barksdale organization, Slim Charles switches sides later on to Prop Joe’s team. Despite his limited role, Slim Charles eventually earns the top spot on the mountain.

3. Russell “Stringer” Bell

Stringer Bell was Barksdale’s second in command, making sense of the operation with the level-headed calculating ways of a top CEO. Stringer wasn’t fond of the street violence that followed their trade, although he understood how necessary it was. If Avon was fire, then Stringer was water.

2. Marlo “Black” Stanfield

The ruthless Marlo Stanfield came to rise in season three of the show, and his steely glare ruled for the rest of the series. Stanfield was a pure, cold-blooded killer that cared more for respect from the streets he ruled than for anything else.

1. Omar Little

Omar Little had the entire city under a grip of fear, and his code of attacking only those who were in the game made him a scary adversary to Barksdale and Prop Joe. Robbing from the dealers and giving back to those in need, Omar’s heart was misguided at times but in the right place. He is perhaps the most complicated and fascinating characters of any television show, ever.