Few casts have done so well after their show ended as that of “The Wire.”
Some, like Idris Elba, became movie stars, while others, such as Lance Reddick, keep working on show after show.
In many cases, the roles they’ve played afterward are completely different than those on the David Simon drama that gave them their break. And it’s shocking to think that despite their successes, none of the actors listed below was ever nominated for an Emmy award while appearing on the HBO drama.
Dominic West
The star of the show, who played Detective Jimmy McNulty, went on to feature in the BBC America “Mad Men” rip-off “The Hour” as well as the Sundance Channel real-life serial killer shocker “Appropriate Adult.” West also played Richard Burton opposite Helena Bonham Carter in the miniseries “Burton and Taylor” last year.
Idris Elba
The former Stringer Bell made his first post-“Wire” bid for stardom with his quietly commanding performance as rogue London police detective John Luther on “Luther.” Elba’s recent performance as the title character in “Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom” brought him a Golden Globe nomination.
Aidan Gillen
Now here’s a real shape-shifter. The former Mayor Thomas Carcetti is now the evil Petyr “Littlefinger” Baelish on the medieval bloodbath known as “Game of Thrones.”
Michael Kenneth Williams
Williams rose to prominence as Omar Little, President Obama’s favorite character, a gay Robin Hood who protected people in the projects of West Baltimore. The Brooklyn-born actor now plays Chalky White, an Atlantic City activist on “Boardwalk Empire.”
Seth Gilliam
Baltimore police Detective Ellis Carver was memorably portrayed by Gilliam, who has just been cast for next season on the monster hit “The Walking Dead.”
Gbenga Akinnagbe
Born in Washington, DC, Akinnagbe has appeared on a diverse array of shows, from “Nurse Jackie” to “The Good Wife.” Currently co-starring as CIA agent Erik Ritter on “24: Live Another Day,” he got his big break as ruthless “Wire” killer Chris Partlow in 2002.
Lance Reddick
Cedric Daniels was one of the more outstanding characters on “The Wire,” rising through the ranks of the police department to become its commissioner. Reddick went on to a long-running role on “Fringe.”
Chad Coleman
After distinguishing himself as reformed criminal Dennis “Cutty” Wise, a character he played for four years, Coleman found his next major role as Tyreese on AMC’s smash “The Walking Dead.”
Larry Gilliard
Gilliard is another “Walking Dead” star who came to great acclaim on “The Wire” as D’Angelo Barksdale, a high-level drug dealer. He plays Bob Stookey, a former Army medic with a drinking problem, on the zombie-apocalypse hit.