THE Wire launched some of the biggest Hollywood careers – but equally some of the cast went on to find tragedy.
Yesterday, we told how actor Michael K Williams, 54, was found dead of an unconfirmed drug overdose in his Brooklyn, New York home.
Michael found fame playing complex criminal Omar Little on The Wire from 2002 to 2008, before land roles on Boardwalk Empire.
He also nabbed supporting roles in Gone Baby Gone and 12 Years A Slave.
But the actor had opened up about his battle with drugs and addiction
Michael also opened up about his struggles with addiction, stemming from when The Wire ended.
In 2012 he told NJ.com: “I was playing with fire. It was just a matter of time before I got caught and my business ended up on the cover of a tabloid or I went to jail or, worse, I ended up dead.
“When I look back on it now, I don’t know how I didn’t end up in a body bag.”
And Michael who is not the only star who has battled a difficult personal life following the hit HBO show, while others found success.
From Hollywood stardom to drug and battery charges, we find out what became of the cast of The Wire.
Idris Elba
British Elba, 49, played intellectual Baltimore drug dealer Stringer Bell in the show for two years.
After The Wire he was cast in the title role of gritty BBC detective drama Luther in 2010.
He then reached Hollywood success – playing Nelson Mandela in the London walk to Freedom in 2013 and Prometheus in 2012.
Now, with an estimated net worth of £14.5million and an OBE, he’s reaped the benefits of starring in Thor Ragnarok, Suicide Squad and directing his own film Yardie.
Dominic West
West, 51, played troubled detective Jimmy McNulty in the crime show in all five seasons.
Since, he played murderer Fred West in 2011 ITV drama Appropriate Adult and starred in Sky show The Affair from 2014 to 2018.
Last year, he was spotted smooching The Pursuit of Love co-star Lily James in Italy last year – but he insisted his marriage to Catherine Fitzgerald was still on.
The debacle has not impacted his professional work as he gears up to star as Prince Charles in series five of The Crown.
Wendell Pierce
The actor, 57, played detective Bunk Moreland – best friend to West’s character McNulty.
He went on to star in Suits where he played Robert Zane, the father of Meghan Markle’s character Rachel.
After The Wire he became politically active raising funds for Barack Obama and supporting Hilary Clinton.
In 2016, he had to attend counselling and pay a $1000 fine after allegedly attacking a female Bernie Sanders supporter.
Felicia Pearson
Pearson, 41, who played recurring character Snoop – Ex-con Felicia was cast in the show by Michael K Williams.
She had spent time in prison for murder charges but turned her life around in prison and was released in 2000.
In 2011 she was charged with conspiracy to sell heroin and sentenced to seven years in prison.
She now fronts a sports campaign called “shoot hoops not guns”
Tristan ‘Mack’ Wilds
Aged 17, he played troubled teen Michael Lee on series four and five of The Wire.
Now known as Mack, the actor, 32, has now moved into music and was nominated for a Grammy in 2014 for his album New York: A Love Story.
In 2015, he flexed his acting chops by playing Adele’s love interest in her video for Hello.
In 2016, he was signed by Jay-Z’s Roc Nation who also represent Rihanna and Alicia Keyes.
He was arrested for driving with a suspended license two years ago, but charges were dismissed.
Michael B Jordan
Since playing recurring character Wallace on The Wire, Michael, 34, has made a name for himself in Hollywood.
He starred in Creed II and the Fantastic Four and is dating stunning Lori Harvey.
Michael is due to star in a remake of The Thomas Crown Affair and direct Creed III.
Last year, he was named one of the sexiest men alive by People magazine.
Sonja Sohn
Sonja, 57, played drugs detective Kima Greggs on The Wire who studies law on the side.
Since The Wire she’s had supporting roles on TV shows Burn Notice, The Good Wife and most recently The Chi.
After growing up in poverty and struggling with drug addiction, she set up charity ReWired for Change in 2012.
But in 2019, she was arrested on cocaine possession charges in North Caroline.
John Doman
Doman starred as hardman superintendent Bill Rawls on the show.
He said of his character: “My character, Bill Rawls, was a real hardass who knew how to play the game.
“Many police officers have told me that they have worked for ‘an asshole just like Rawls’.”
He’s starred in Sky hit drama Borgia and reunited with co-star Dominic West on The Affair.
Most recently, he played attorney general John Mitchell in Golden Globe winning The Trial of the Chicago 7.
Clarke Peters
Five Guys Named Moe writer Peters, 68, played Vietnam war veteran and detective Lester Freamon in The Wire.
Since, he’s starred in Three Billboards Outside Ebbing Missouri, Channel 4’s Endgame and John Wick.
The American moved to the UK after starring in The Wire and has had a role in Holby City.
This year voiced a children’s podcast with Harry Enfield.
Deidre Lovejoy
Lovejoy, 59, starred as assistant state attorney Rhonda Pearlman on the series.
But after the show wrapped, Deidre was hit by a mystery illness causing seizures.
The undiagnosed condition affected the actress’s ability to walk and talk as well as giving her hallucinations.
In 2019, she wrote a play Bird Elephant China about her recovery.
Aiden Gillen
After first finding fame on Channel 4’s Queer as Folk, Irish actor Gillen played politician Tommy Carcetti on the series.
After, he starred as creepy Petyr Littlefinger in Sky hit Game of Thrones from 2011 to 2017.
He also had success in BBC Peaky Blinders and played famous manager John Reid in Bohemian Rhapsody in 2018.
His latest role was as an assassin in Those Who Wish me Dead alongside Nicholas Hoult and Angelina Jolie.
