Where to Watch ‘The Wire’ to Honor Michael K. Williams’ Iconic Performance

By Abby Monteil
Published Sep. 7, 2021, 11:07 a.m. ET

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Michael K. Williams

On Sept. 6, the world lost a legendary figure in 54-year-old actor Michael K. Williams. The four-time Emmy nominee turned in striking performances in projects ranging from Boardwalk Empire to Lovecraft Country to When They See Us. However, he’s best known for his iconic performance as Omar Little in HBO’s acclaimed drama The Wire, which aired from 2002 to 2008 and cemented Williams’ legacy as one of his generation’s most respected actors.

If you’re looking to relive Williams’ legacy, The Wire is a great place to start. Luckily, all five seasons are available to stream now.

Here’s everything you need to know about Williams’ The Wire character, as well as where you can stream the series.

Who Did Michael K. Williams Play in The Wire?

Williams played Omar Little, a Baltimore stickup man who often robs drug dealers. Known for his facial scar and penchant for whistling “A-Hunting We Will Go” while tracking targets, Omar also has a strict moral code and refuses to rob ordinary civilians.

In 2017, writer Glen Weldon ranked Omar tenth in Decider’s list of the top 50 LGBTQ+ TV characters of all time, calling him “one of TV’s first gay superheroes.”

“Played with wit and an agreeably sly sort of looseness by Michael K. Williams, Omar represents the transition from the sexless saints of gay TV past to the flawed, complicated characters who can simply exist,” Weldon wrote. “The Wire never treated Omar’s queerness as incidental. Neither, in fairness, did it ever become merely a big, clunky plot point. Instead, it was an essential part of Omar and his world — it colored his actions and those of the people around him in small, practical ways.”

Is The Wire Streaming Online? Where to Watch The Wire

The Wire is an HBO original series, so you can stream all five seasons on HBO Max now. It’s also available for rental on iTunes, Prime Video, Google Play, Vudu and more.

Is The Wire on Netflix?

No. Since The Wire is an HBO show, it’s not available to stream on Netflix.

Is The Wire on HBO Max?

Yes. All five seasons and 60 episodes of The Wire are streaming on HBO Max. You can scroll up to watch a trailer for the series now.

Where to watch The Wire