You wouldn’t exactly call people who watched The Wire “viewers.” Frankly, even “fans” seems far too casual a term. People who watched The Wire were hardcore obsessives who followed the show with rabid addiction.
Surely many of those folks will be tuned into HBO at 10 p.m. tonight for the debut tonight of Treme, the first show from The Wire’s creator, David Simon since his beloved Baltimore drama went off the air. And when they tune in, viewers will be treated to a bevy of familiar faces, from Steve Zahn to John Goodman to Elvis Costello. But Wire-heads won’t be looking for the stars; they’ll be searching for their old favorites, the people who brought to life Simon’s characters in not just The Wire, but his other series, Homicide and The Corner.
So for anyone watching tonight and wondering why a certain face might be familiar, here’s a brief guide of some recurring Simon stars who will be featured in the premiere of Treme.
Khandi Alexander (R.) in HBO's The Corner.
The Actor: Khandi Alexander
Who She Plays On Treme: Ladonna Batiste-Williams
Where In The David Simon Universe We’ve Seen Her Before: Alexander played junkie Denise Francine ‘Fran’ Boyd in Simon’s The Corner, the HBO miniseries based on Simon’s book of the same name. The Corner preceded The Wire, focusing on Baltimore’s ghettos and their poverty-stricken residents.
Melissa Leo on Homicide
The Actor: Melissa Leo
Who She Plays On Treme: Toni Bernette
Where In The David Simon Universe We’ve Seen Her Before: Leo played Det. Sgt. Kay Howard on Homicide: Life on the Streets, the NBC series based on Simon’s book, Homicide: A Year on the Killing Streets.
Clarke Peters in The Wire
The Actor: Clarke Peters
Who He Plays On Treme: Albert Lambreaux
Where In The David Simon Universe We’ve Seen Him Before: Peters is a regular in Simon’s work. He is best known for his role as the smooth, reserved, sharp Det. Lester Freamon on The Wire. He also portrayed disfigured street sage (and junkie) Fat Curt in The Corner.
Wendell Pierce (L.) on The Wire
The Actor: Wendell Pierce
Who He Plays On Treme: Antoine Batiste
Where In The David Simon Universe We’ve Seen Him Before: Pierce played Det. William ‘Bunk’ Moreland on The Wire. The Bunk was a fan favorite, as well as the best friend and drinking buddy of the show’s hotheaded Det. Jimmy McNulty.
