The Wire (season 4)

infobox tvseason
season_name = The Wire Season 4


caption = DVD cover
dvd_release_date = December 4, 2007
dvd_format = Widescreen, Boxset
country = USA
network = HBO
first_aired = September 10, 2006
last_aired =
December 10, 2006
num_episodes = 13
prev_season = 3
next_season = 5|

The fourth season of the television series "The Wire" commenced airing in the United States on September 10, 2006, concluded on December 10, 2006, and contained 13 episodes. It introduces Baltimore's school system and several middle school students while continuing to examine the remnants of the Barksdale Organization, the ascendant Stanfield Organization, the Baltimore police department and politicians.

The fourth season aired Sundays at 9:00 PM in the United States. The season was released on DVD as a four disc boxed set under the title of "The Wire: The Complete Fourth Season" on December 4, 2007 by HBO video [cite web|url=http://www.tvshowsondvd.com/news/Wire-Season-4-Release-Date/7992|work=TVShowsOnDVD.com|title=The Wire - Want Some Holiday Scoop? Release Date, Lower-Than-Typical Cost for HBO's 4th Season|accessdate=2007-11-26|date=2007-09-03] .

Production

Crew

Playwright and television writer/producer Eric Overmyer joined the crew of "The Wire" in the show's fourth season as a consulting producer and writer.Cite web|url=http://www.hbo.com/thewire/cast/crew/season_4.shtml|title="The Wire" season 4 crew|accessdate=2007-10-14|publisher=HBO|year=2007] He had also previously worked on "Homicide". Overmyer was brought into the full-time production staff to replace Pelecanos who scaled back his involvement to concentrate on his next book and worked on the fourth season solely as a writer.cite web
year = 2006
title = "The Wire" on HBO: Play Or Get Played, Exclusive Q&A With David Simon (page 17)
accessdate = 2007-10-16
url = http://www.members.aol.com/TheWireHBO/exclusive-16.html] Emmy-award winner, "Homicide" and "The Corner" writer and college friend of Simon David Mills also joined the writing staff in the fourth season. Regular writer Ed Burns also became a producer on "The Wire" in the show's fourth season.

Cast

The focus of the fourth season shifted between a local school and the mayoral election. The returning starring cast consisted of Dominic West as Officer Jimmy McNulty, the formerly insubordinate detective who attempts to shed his ability and his problems in favor of a better life.Cite web|url=http://www.hbo.com/thewire/cast/actors/dominic_west.shtml|title=Cast & Crew - Dominic West as Jimmy McNulty|accessdate=2008-01-15|publisher=HBO|year=2008] cite web| year = 2006| title = Character profile - Jimmy McNulty| publisher = HBO| accessdate = 2007-12-19| url = http://www.hbo.com/thewire/cast/characters/jimmy_mcnulty.shtml] Lance Reddick reprised his role as newly promoted Major Cedric Daniels, now commanding the western district.Cite web|url=http://www.hbo.com/thewire/cast/actors/lance_reddick.shtml|title=Cast & Crew - Lance Reddick as Cedric Daniels|accessdate=2008-01-15|publisher=HBO|year=2008] cite web| year = 2006| title = Character profile - Lieutenant Cedric Daniels| publisher = HBO| accessdate = 2007-12-19| url = http://www.hbo.com/thewire/cast/characters/cedric_daniels.shtml] One of Daniel's sergeants within the district was Sergeant Ellis Carver, portrayed by Seth Gilliam.Cite web|url=http://www.hbo.com/thewire/cast/actors/seth_gilliam.shtml|title=Cast & Crew - Seth Gilliam as Ellis Carver|accessdate=2008-01-15|publisher=HBO|year=2008] Robert Wisdom reprised his role as former western district commander Howard "Bunny" Colvin,Cite web|url=http://www.hbo.com/thewire/cast/actors/robert_wisdom.shtml|title=Cast & Crew - Robert Wisdom as Howard "Bunny" Colvin|accessdate=2008-01-15|publisher=HBO|year=2008] who has become a field researcher after a short stint working in hotel security following his retirement from the Baltimore Police Department.

The Major Crimes Unit sees a shift in personnel this season. Kima Greggs, portrayed by Sonja Sohn,Cite web|url=http://www.hbo.com/thewire/cast/actors/sonja_sohn.shtml|title=Cast & Crew - Sonja Sohn as Shakima "Kima" Greggs|accessdate=2008-01-15|publisher=HBO|year=2008] cite web| year = 2006| title = Character profile - Detective Shakima "Kima" Greggs| publisher = HBO| accessdate = 2007-12-19| url = http://www.hbo.com/thewire/cast/characters/kima_greggs.shtml] Lester Freamon, portrayed by Clarke PetersCite web|url=http://www.hbo.com/thewire/cast/actors/clarke_peters.shtml|title=Cast & Crew - Clarke Peters as Lester Freamon|accessdate=2008-01-15|publisher=HBO|year=2008] cite web| year = 2006| title = Character profile - Lester Freamon| publisher = HBO| accessdate = 2007-12-19| url = http://www.hbo.com/thewire/cast/characters/lester_freamon.shtml] , transfer to the Homicide Unit after the new lieutenant of the Major Crimes Unit ends the wire and halts Freamon's investigation of the Barksdale money. Corey Parker-Robinson portrays Detective Leander Sydnor, one of two detectives who remains in the Major Crimes Unit after the arrival of the new lieutenant.Cite web|url=http://www.hbo.com/thewire/cast/actors/corey_parker_robinson.shtml|title=Cast & Crew - Corey Parker Robinson as Leander Sydnor|accessdate=2008-01-15|publisher=HBO|year=2008] Domenick Lombardozzi returned as Thomas "Herc" Hauk, a former member of the Major Crimes Unit whose work on the mayor's security detail earns him a promotion to sergeant and a transfer back to his old unit after Freamon and Gregg's departure.Cite web|url=http://www.hbo.com/thewire/cast/actors/domenick_lombardozzi.shtml|title=Cast & Crew - Domenick Lombardozzi as Thomas "Herc" Hauk|accessdate=2008-01-15|publisher=HBO|year=2008] cite web| year = 2006| title = Character profile - Thomas "Herc" Hauk| publisher = HBO| accessdate = 2007-12-19| url = http://www.hbo.com/thewire/cast/characters/herc_hauk.shtml]

Wendell Pierce portrayed veteran homicide detective Bunk Moreland.Cite web|url=http://www.hbo.com/thewire/cast/actors/wendell_pierce.shtml|title=Cast & Crew - Wendell Pierce as William "Bunk" Moreland|accessdate=2008-01-15|publisher=HBO|year=2008] cite web| year = 2006| title = Character profile - Bunk Moreland| publisher = HBO| accessdate = 2007-12-19| url = http://www.hbo.com/thewire/cast/characters/bunk_moreland.shtml] Deirdre Lovejoy starred as assistant state's attorney Rhonda Pearlman, the legal liaison between the unit and the courthouse.Cite web|url=http://www.hbo.com/thewire/cast/actors/deirdre_lovejoy.shtml|title=Cast & Crew - Deirdre Lovejoy as Rhonda Pearlman|accessdate=2008-01-15|publisher=HBO|year=2008] cite web| year = 2006| title = Character profile - Rhonda Pearlman| publisher = HBO| accessdate = 2007-12-19| url = http://www.hbo.com/thewire/cast/characters/rhonda_pearlman.shtml] Andre Royo returned as Bubbles, who continued to indulge his drug addiction and act as an occasional informant.Cite web|url=http://www.hbo.com/thewire/cast/actors/andre_royo.shtml|title=Cast & Crew - Andre Royo as Bubbles|accessdate=2008-01-15|publisher=HBO|year=2008] cite web| year = 2006| title = Character profile - Bubbles| publisher = HBO| accessdate = 2007-12-19| url = http://www.hbo.com/thewire/cast/characters/bubbles.shtml] Jim True-Frost portrayed Roland "Prez" Pryzbylewski,Cite web|url=http://www.hbo.com/thewire/cast/actors/jim_truefrost.shtml|title=Cast & Crew - Jim True-Frost as Roland "Prez" Pryzbylewski|accessdate=2008-08-06|publisher=HBO|year=2008] a former member of the Major Crimes Unit who has become a teacher in an inner city school after inadvertently killing a fellow officer in season three.

The police were overseen by two commanding officers more concerned with politics and their own careers than the case, Deputy Commissioner of Operations William Rawls (John Doman) and Commissioner Ervin Burrell (Frankie Faison).Cite web|url=http://www.hbo.com/thewire/cast/actors/frankie_r_faison.shtml|title=Cast & Crew - Frankie R. Faison as Ervin Burrell|accessdate=2008-01-15|publisher=HBO|year=2008] cite web| year = 2006| title = Character profile - Ervin Burrell| publisher = HBO| accessdate = 2007-12-19| url = http://www.hbo.com/thewire/cast/characters/ervin_burrell.shtml] Cite web|url=http://www.hbo.com/thewire/cast/actors/john_doman.shtml|title=Cast & Crew - John Doman as William Rawls|accessdate=2008-01-15|publisher=HBO|year=2008] cite web| year = 2006| title = Character profile - William Rawls| publisher = HBO| accessdate = 2007-12-19| url = http://www.hbo.com/thewire/cast/characters/william_rawls.shtml] At city hall, Tommy Carcetti (Aidan Gillen)Cite web|url=http://www.hbo.com/thewire/cast/actors/aidan_gillen.shtml|title=Cast & Crew - Aidan Gillen as Thomas "Tommy" Carcetti|accessdate=2008-01-15|publisher=HBO|year=2008] Cite web|url=http://www.hbo.com/thewire/cast/characters/tommy_carcetti.shtml|title=Character profile - Thomas "Tommy" Carcetti|accessdate=2008-01-15|publisher=HBO|year=2008] was an ambitious city councilman seeking to become mayor. Joining the cast for the fourth season was Reg E. Cathey as Carcetti's deputy campaign manager, Norman Wilson.Cite web|url=http://www.hbo.com/thewire/cast/actors/reg_cathey.shtml|title=Cast & Crew - Reg E. Cathey as Norman Wilson|accessdate=2008-08-06|publisher=HBO|year=2008] Also joining the cast after having a recurring role during the third season was Glynn Turman as Mayor Clarence Royce.Cite web|url=http://www.hbo.com/thewire/cast/actors/reg_cathey.shtml|title=Cast & Crew - Glynn Turman as Clarence Royce|accessdate=2008-08-06|publisher=HBO|year=2008]

On the streets, former Barksdale crew chief Bodie Broadus (J.D. Williams)Cite web|url=http://www.hbo.com/thewire/cast/actors/jd_williams.shtml|title=Cast & Crew - JD Williams as Preston "Bodie" Broadus|accessdate=2008-01-15|publisher=HBO|year=2008] cite web| year = 2006| title = Character profile - Preston "Bodie" Broadus| publisher = HBO| accessdate = 2007-12-19| url = http://www.hbo.com/thewire/cast/characters/bodie.shtml] joins the organization of new drug kingpin Marlo Stanfield (Jamie Hector).cite web| year = 2004 | title = Character profile - Marlo Stanfield| publisher = HBO| accessdate = 2006-08-14| url = http://www.hbo.com/thewire/cast/characters/marlo_stanfield.shtml] Michael K. Williams portrayed renowned stick-up man Omar Little.Cite web|url=http://www.hbo.com/thewire/cast/actors/michael_k_williams.shtml|title=Cast & Crew - Michael Kenneth Williams as Omar Little|accessdate=2008-01-15|publisher=HBO|year=2008] cite web| year = 2006| title = Character profile - Omar Little| publisher = HBO| accessdate = 2007-12-19| url = http://www.hbo.com/thewire/cast/characters/omar.shtml] Joining the cast this season after having a recurring role in season three is Chad L. Coleman as Dennis "Cutty" Wise, a reformed member of the Barksdale organization who has opened a boxing gym for neighborhood children.

Two members of the third season starring cast did not return for the fourth season with the change in focus and the termination of those characters' storylines. Wood Harris (Avon Barksdale)Cite web|url=http://www.hbo.com/thewire/cast/characters/avon_barksdale.shtml|title=Cast & Crew - Wood Harris as Avon Barksdale|accessdate=2008-01-15|publisher=HBO|year=2008] cite web| year = 2006| title = Character profile - Avon Barksdale| publisher = HBO| accessdate = 2007-12-19| url = http://www.hbo.com/thewire/cast/characters/avon_barksdale.shtml] and Idris Elba (Stringer Bell)Cite web|url=http://www.hbo.com/thewire/cast/actors/idris_elba.shtml|title=Cast & Crew - Idris Elba as Stringer Bell|accessdate=2008-01-15|publisher=HBO|year=2008] cite web| year = 2006| title = Character profile - Stringer Bell| publisher = HBO| accessdate = 2007-12-19| url = http://www.hbo.com/thewire/cast/characters/stringer_bell.shtml] leave the starring cast at the beginning of the fourth season.

Recurring characters

Many guest stars from the earlier seasons reprised their roles. On the side of the street Proposition Joe (Robert F. Chew), the East Side's cautious drug kingpin, became more cooperative with the Stanfield Organization after the death of Stringer Bell.Cite web|url=http://www.hbo.com/thewire/cast/actors/robert_f_chew.shtml|title=Cast & Crew - Robert F. Chew as Proposition Joe Stewart|accessdate=2008-01-15|publisher=HBO|year=2008] Cite web|url=http://www.hbo.com/thewire/cast/characters/prop_joe.shtml|title=Character profile - Proposition Joe Stewart|accessdate=2008-01-15|publisher=HBO|year=2008] His lieutenant "Cheese" (Method Man) continued to elude the Major Crimes Unit investigation.Cite web|url=http://www.hbo.com/thewire/cast/actors/method_man.shtml|title=Cast & Crew - Method Man as Melvin "Cheese" Wagstaff|accessdate=2008-01-15|publisher=HBO|year=2008] Cite web|url=http://www.hbo.com/thewire/cast/characters/cheese.shtml|title=Character profile - Melvin "Cheese" Wagstaff|accessdate=2008-01-15|publisher=HBO|year=2008] Hassan Johnson reprises his role as incarcerated Barksdale enforcer Wee-Bey Brice.Cite web|url=http://www.hbo.com/thewire/cast/actors/hassan_johnson.shtml|title=Cast & Crew - Hassan Johnson as Roland "Wee-Bey" Brice|accessdate=2008-01-15|publisher=HBO|year=2008] Cite web|url=http://www.hbo.com/thewire/cast/characters/weebey.shtml|title=Character profile - Roland "Wee-Bey" Brice|accessdate=2008-01-15|publisher=HBO|year=2008] Former Barksdale enforcer Slim Charles (Anwan Glover) returned as a new recruit to Proposition Joe's organization.Citeweb|url=http://www.hbo.com/thewire/cast/actors/anwan_glover.shtml|title=Cast & Crew - Anwan Glover as Slim Charles|accessdate=2008-01-15|publisher=HBO|year=2008] Cite web|url=http://www.hbo.com/thewire/cast/characters/slim_charles.shtml|title=Character profile - Slim Charles|accessdate=2008-01-15|publisher=HBO|year=2008] Several members of the Stanfield Organization introduced in season three also returned: Chris Partlow (Gbenga Akinnagbe), Stanfield's chief enforcer;Cite web|url=http://www.hbo.com/thewire/cast/actors/gbenga_akinnagbe.shtml|title=Cast & Crew - Gbenga Akinnagbe as Chris Partlow|accessdate=2008-01-15|publisher=HBO|year=2008] Cite web|url=http://www.hbo.com/thewire/cast/characters/chris_partlow.shtml|title=Character profile - Chris Partlow|accessdate=2008-01-15|publisher=HBO|year=2008] and Felicia "Snoop" Pearson (Felicia Pearson), Partlow's protégé.Cite web|url=http://www.hbo.com/thewire/cast/actors/felicia_pearson.shtml|title=Cast & Crew - Felicia Pearson as Felicia "Snoop" Pearson|accessdate=2008-01-15|publisher=HBO|year=2008] Cite web|url=http://www.hbo.com/thewire/cast/characters/snoop.shtml|title=Character profile - Felicia "Snoop" Pearson|accessdate=2008-01-15|publisher=HBO|year=2008] Tray Chaney continues to portray former Barksdale crew chief Poot Carr, who joins the Stansfield organization this season.Cite web|url=http://www.hbo.com/thewire/cast/actors/tray_chaney.shtml|title=Cast & Crew - Tray Chaney as Malik "Poot" Carr|accessdate=2008-01-15|publisher=HBO|year=2008] cite web| year = 2006| title = Character profile - Malik "Poot" Carr| publisher = HBO| accessdate = 2007-12-19| url = http://www.hbo.com/thewire/cast/characters/poot.shtml]

Michael Hyatt reprised her respective role as Brianna Barksdale.Cite web|url=http://www.hbo.com/thewire/cast/actors/michael_hyatt.shtml|title=Cast & Crew - Michael Hyatt as Brianna Barksdale|accessdate=2008-01-15|publisher=HBO|year=2008] Cite web|url=http://www.hbo.com/thewire/cast/characters/brianna_barksdale.shtml|title=Character profile - Brianna Barksdale|accessdate=2008-01-15|publisher=HBO|year=2008] Michael Kostroff returned as the defence attorney Maurice Levy.Cite web|url=http://www.hbo.com/thewire/cast/actors/michael_kostroff.shtml|title=Cast & Crew - Michael Kostroff as Maurice "Maury" Levy|accessdate=2008-01-15|publisher=HBO|year=2008] Cite web|url=http://www.hbo.com/thewire/cast/characters/maury_levy.shtml|title=Character profile - Maurice "Maury" Levy|accessdate=2008-01-15|publisher=HBO|year=2008] Isiah Whitlock, Jr. reprised his role as corrupt State Senator Clay Davis whose involvement with Barksdale money causes him trouble with the Major Case Unit.Cite web|url=http://www.hbo.com/thewire/cast/actors/isiah_whitlock_jr.shtml|title=Cast & Crew - Isiah Whitlock, Jr. as R. Clayton "Clay" Davis|accessdate=2008-01-15|publisher=HBO|year=2008] Cite web|url=http://www.hbo.com/thewire/cast/characters/clay_davis.shtml|title=Character profile - R. Clayton "Clay" Davis|accessdate=2008-01-15|publisher=HBO|year=2008] Omar Little's crew shifted focus to the Stansfield Organization and the New Day Co-op and consisted of his new boyfriend Renaldo (Ramon Rodriguez), partner Kimmy (Kelli R. Brown), and advisor Butchie (S. Robert Morgan).cite web| year = 2004| title = Org Chart - The Street| publisher = HBO| accessdate = 2006-07-27| url = http://www.hbo.com/thewire/orgchart/street.shtml]

Many guest stars also reprised their characters from the police department. Returning guest stars in the homicide unit include Delaney Williams as Sergeant Jay Landsman,Cite web|url=http://www.hbo.com/thewire/cast/actors/delaney_williams.shtml|title=Cast & Crew - Delaney Williams as Jay Landsman|accessdate=2008-01-15|publisher=HBO|year=2008] cite web| year = 2006| title = Character profile - Jay Landsman| publisher = HBO| accessdate = 2007-12-19| url = http://www.hbo.com/thewire/cast/characters/jay_landsman.shtml] Ed Norris as Detective Ed Norris,Cite web|url=http://www.hbo.com/thewire/cast/actors/ed_norris.shtml|title=Cast & Crew - Ed Norris as Ed Norris|accessdate=2008-01-15|publisher=HBO|year=2008] Cite web|url=http://www.hbo.com/thewire/cast/characters/edward_norris.shtml|title=Character profile - Ed Norris|accessdate=2008-01-15|publisher=HBO|year=2008] and Brian Anthony Wilson as Detective Vernon Holley.cite web| year = 2004| title = Org Chart - The Law| publisher = HBO| accessdate = 2006-07-22| url = http://www.hbo.com/thewire/orgchart/law.shtml] Al Brown and Jay Landsman reprised their roles as Major Stan Valchek and Lieutenant Dennis Mello.Cite web|url=http://www.hbo.com/thewire/cast/actors/al_brown.shtml|title=Cast & Crew - Al Brown as Stanislaus Valchek|accessdate=2008-01-15|publisher=HBO|year=2008] Cite web|url=http://www.hbo.com/thewire/cast/characters/stan_valchek.shtml|title=Character profile - Stanislaus Valchek|accessdate=2008-01-15|publisher=HBO|year=2008] Cite web|url=http://www.hbo.com/thewire/cast/actors/jay_landsman.shtml|title=Cast & Crew - Jay Landsman as Dennis Mello|accessdate=2008-01-15|publisher=HBO|year=2008] Cite web|url=http://www.hbo.com/thewire/cast/characters/dennis_mello.shtml|title=Character profile - Dennis Mello|accessdate=2008-01-15|publisher=HBO|year=2008] Michael Salconi recurred as veteran Western patrolman Michael Santangelo.cite web| year = 2004| title = Org Chart - The Law| publisher = HBO| accessdate = 2006-07-22| url = http://www.hbo.com/thewire/orgchart/law.shtml]
Gregory L. Williams played Michael Crutchfield, a cantankerous homicide detective.Cite web|url=http://www.hbo.com/thewire/cast/actors/gregory_williams.shtml|title=Cast & Crew - Gregory L. Williams as Michael Crutchfield|accessdate=2008-01-15|publisher=HBO|year=2008] Cite web|url=http://www.hbo.com/thewire/cast/characters/michael_crutchfield.shtml|title=Character profile - Detective Michael Crutchfield|accessdate=2008-01-14|publisher=HBO|year=2008] Joilet F. Harris returned as Caroline Massey, an officer in the Major Crimes Unit.Cite web|url=http://www.hbo.com/thewire/cast/actors/joilet_harris.shtml|title=Cast & Crew - Joilet F. Harris as Caroline Massey|accessdate=2008-01-15|publisher=HBO|year=2008] Cite web|url=http://www.hbo.com/thewire/cast/characters/caroline_massey.shtml|title=Character profile - Caroline Massey|accessdate=2008-01-15|publisher=HBO|year=2008] Joining the Major Crimes Unit this season is Kenneth Dozerman (Rick Otto),Cite web|url=http://www.hbo.com/thewire/cast/actors/rick_otto.shtml|title=Cast & Crew - Rick Otto as Kenneth Dozerman|accessdate=2008-01-15|publisher=HBO|year=2008] Cite web|url=http://www.hbo.com/thewire/cast/characters/dozerman.shtml|title=Character profile - Kenneth Dozerman|accessdate=2008-01-15|publisher=HBO|year=2008] In the western district, Carver's squad includes Anthony Colicchio (Benjamin Busch), Lloyd "Truck" Garrick (Ryan Sands), and Lambert (Nakia Dillard).

In the political storyline, Cleo Reginald Pizana returned as Coleman Parker, Royce's chief-of-staff.Cite web|url=http://www.hbo.com/thewire/cast/characters/chief_of_staff.shtml|title=Character profile - Coleman Parker|accessdate=2008-01-15|publisher=HBO|year=2008] Brandy Burre appeared as Theresa D'Agostino, a political campaign consultant.Cite web|url=http://www.hbo.com/thewire/cast/actors/brandy_burre.shtml|title=Cast & Crew - Brandy Burre as Theresa D'Agostino|accessdate=2008-01-15|publisher=HBO|year=2008] Cite web|url=http://www.hbo.com/thewire/cast/characters/theresa_dagostino.shtml|title=Character profile - Theresa D'agostino|accessdate=2008-01-15|publisher=HBO|year=2008] Frederick Strother performed as Odell Watkins, a state delegate and political king-maker.Cite web|url=http://www.hbo.com/thewire/cast/actors/frederick_strother.shtml|title=Cast & Crew - Frederick Strother as Odell Watkins|accessdate=2008-01-15|publisher=HBO|year=2008] Cite web|url=http://www.hbo.com/thewire/cast/characters/odell_watkins.shtml|title=Character profile - Odell Watkins|accessdate=2008-01-15|publisher=HBO|year=2008] Christopher Mann played Carcetti's city council colleague Anthony Gray.Cite web|url=http://www.hbo.com/thewire/cast/actors/christopher_mann.shtml|title=Cast & Crew - Christopher Mann as Anthony Gray|accessdate=2008-01-15|publisher=HBO|year=2008] Cite web|url=http://www.hbo.com/thewire/cast/characters/anthony_gray.shtml|title=Character profile - Anthony Gray|accessdate=2008-01-15|publisher=HBO|year=2008] Maria Broom returns as Marla Daniels, the estranged wife of Major Daniels who is running for a seat on the city council.cite web| year = 2004| title = Character profile - Marla Daniels| publisher = HBO| accessdate = 2006-07-22| url = http://www.hbo.com/thewire/cast/characters/marla_daniels.shtml]

The fourth season also saw the return of two former starring characters from the second season: Amy Ryan as Officer Beadie Russell, an officer at the port and Jimmy McNulty's domestic partner, and Paul Ben-Victor as Spiros Vondas, the second in command of the Greek's drug smuggling operation.

The shift of focus to the schools saw the introduction of four young actors in major recurring roles this season, Jermaine Crawford as Duquan "Dukie" Weems;Cite web|url=http://www.hbo.com/thewire/cast/actors/jermaine_crawford.shtml|title=Cast & Crew - Jermaine Crawford as Duquan "Dukie" Weems|accessdate=2008-01-15|publisher=HBO|year=2008] Maestro Harrell as Randy Wagstaff;Cite web|url=http://www.hbo.com/thewire/cast/actors/maestro_harrell.shtml|title=Cast & Crew - Maestro Harrell as Randy Wagstaff|accessdate=2008-01-15|publisher=HBO|year=2008] Julito McCullum as Namond Brice;Cite web|url=http://www.hbo.com/thewire/cast/actors/julito_mccullum.shtml|title=Cast & Crew - Julito McCullum as Namond Brice|accessdate=2008-01-15|publisher=HBO|year=2008] and Tristan Wilds as Michael Lee.Cite web|url=http://www.hbo.com/thewire/cast/actors/tristan_wilds.shtml|title=Cast & Crew - Tristan Wilds as Michael Lee|accessdate=2008-01-15|publisher=HBO|year=2008] The characters are friends from a West Baltimore middle school.Cite web|url=http://www.hbo.com/thewire/cast/characters/namond_brice.shtml|title=Character profile - Namond Brice|accessdate=2008-01-15|publisher=HBO|year=2008] Cite web|url=http://www.hbo.com/thewire/cast/characters/michael_lee.shtml|title=Character profile - Michael Lee|accessdate=2008-01-15|publisher=HBO|year=2008] Cite web|url=http://www.hbo.com/thewire/cast/characters/randy_wagstaff.shtml|title=Character profile - Randy Wagstaff|accessdate=2008-01-15|publisher=HBO|year=2008] Cite web|url=http://www.hbo.com/thewire/cast/characters/duquan_dukie_weems.shtml|title=Character profile - Duquan "Dukie" Weems|accessdate=2008-01-15|publisher=HBO|year=2008] Other new characters from the school included Tootsie Duvall as Assistant Principal Marcia Donnelly;cite web| year = 2006| title = Character profile – Assistant Principal Marcia Donnelly| publisher = HBO| accessdate = 2006-10-29| url = http://www.hbo.com/thewire/cast/characters/marcia_donnelly.shtml] David Parenti (Dan DeLuca), a Professor of Sociology at the University of Maryland who works with Bunny Colvin in the school to study potential violent offenders;cite web| year = 2004| title = Character profile – UM Professor David Parenti| publisher = HBO| accessdate = 2006-10-28| url = http://www.hbo.com/thewire/cast/characters/david_parenti.shtml] Stacie Davis portrayed Miss Duquette, a doctoral student who works with Parenti and Colvin; Aaron "Bug" Manigault (Keenon Brice), Michael Lee's younger brother; Kenard (Thuliso Dingwall), one of the younger members of Namond Brice's circle of friends;cite web| year = 2004| title = Character profile – Kenard| publisher = HBO| accessdate = 2006-10-29| url = http://www.hbo.com/thewire/cast/characters/kenard.shtml] and Richard Hidlebird as Principal Claudell Withers.cite web| year = 2006| title = Character profile – Principal Claudell Withers| publisher = HBO| accessdate = 2006-10-29| url = http://www.hbo.com/thewire/cast/characters/claudell_withers.shtml]

Reception

Awards and nominations

The writing staff of the fourth season was nominated for two awards at the 2008 Writer's Guild of America Awards - best dramatic series and best episodic drama for the episode "Final Grades" (story by David Simon and Ed Burns, teleplay by David Simon).Cite web|url=http://wga.org/subpage_newsevents.aspx?id=2653#TheWireHBO|title=2008 Writers Guild Awards Television & Radio Nominees Announced|accessdate=2007-12-13|publisher=WGA|year=2007] Cite web|url=http://www.variety.com/awardcentral_article/VR1117977607.html#TheWireHBO|title=WGA announce TV, radio nominees|accessdate=2007-12-13|publisher=Variety|year=2007] Cite web|url=http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/hr/content_display/news/e3i51057e90b0ae537411989f7513cd3991#TheWireHBO|title=HBO tops WGA awards list with five noms|accessdate=2007-12-13|publisher=The Hollywood Reporter|year=2007]

Episodes

"Series #" refers to the episode's number in the overall series, whereas "Season #" refers to the episode's number in this particular season. All episodes were made available by HBO six days earlier than their broadcast date, via On Demand.

References