The Wire (2002)
The Wire is streaming in the UK on HBO Max Amazon Channel, Now TV, HBO Max.
The verdict
The Wire has pulled the kind of numbers most English series never see. It's sitting at 8.6/10 on TMDB across 2,829 ratings, which puts it comfortably above average. In the UK you can stream it on HBO Max Amazon Channel, Now TV, HBO Max.
Is it worth starting?
This is 5 seasons deep — English crime, leaning drama, adults only. There's a lot of it, which is either the appeal or the problem depending on your week.
Don't watch this if…
- you want something that ends tonight — there are 5 seasons of it
- you're watching with family — it's certified 18
- Why
- Currently 8.6/10 from 2,829 ratings, which is a good sign this early.
- Skip if
- a backlog this size is the opposite of what you're after
- Best for
- A proper binge, once you've got the weeks for it
Story
Told from the points of view of both the Baltimore homicide and narcotics detectives and their targets, the series captures a universe in which the national war on drugs has become a permanent, self-sustaining bureaucracy, and distinctions between good and evil are routinely obliterated.
Good to know
| Watch with family? | 18 · Adults only |
| Genre | Crime / Drama |
| Language | English |
| Best screen | Stream at home |
Director
David Simon
Cast
Where to watch in the UK
Included with a subscription — no extra charge on these platforms.
Availability as of 26 Sept 2026 — platforms may change over time.
Trailer
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