Wendell Pierce star of the iconic HBO show The Wire slams any reboot need for the series

Wendell Pierce has a pretty definitive response to anybody pitching a remake of HBO's acclaimed series, The Wire: stop. During the Hollywood premiere of the new Superman film, Pierce, the actor who played Detective Bunk Moreland in The Wire (and Perry White in Superman), commented that it remains a “classic” since it retains relevance to the current world. Later, he also said that The Wire is like a “canary in the mine” for it cautioned viewers about the cracks in our institutions, way before most people were even willing to listen.

The Wire was not created to be a nostalgia bait or for franchise churn. The realistic drama was well planned, thoughtful, and it still seems as unpleasantly topical as it was when it initially aired. In our age of sequels, remakes and so-called expanded universes, it feels good to be reminded that sometimes, the boldest thing to do is to leave a great piece of work as is and move on to work on new and different projects.

What Wendell Pierce said!

At the premiere of Superman (2025), according to the Collider summary of the event, Pierce stressed that The Wire is still around because it addresses real systems of policing, schools, media, politics, the economy, and not trends. When he used the word “classic,” it was not a euphemism to say it is old-fashioned, on the contrary, calling it classic is in fact the reverse. The observations of the power, incentives, and survival in the show follow in 2025. The observations made in the show regarding power, incentives, and survival offer a lot to think about in 2025.

"The Wire is something that is classic. What makes it classic [is] it speaks to, it spoke to the audience then, it speaks to us now, it will speak to audiences long after it’s over."

Amidst the glam and glitz, Pierce referred to the case of the MacArthur Park raid that occurred on July 7, 2025, while explaining why themes in The Wire align with the situations of the current times. He points out how even in seemingly democratic and exposed sections of society, imperialistic methods and unfettered brutality run rife without being noticed.

“the cautionary tale that it was, the fact that it lets people know there’s an ugly side of human nature….We’re seeing that demonstrated today. I mean as we stand here on wonderful beautiful Hollywood Boulevard, they have American secret police who raided MacArthur Park today with guns drawn on citizens for no reason.”

The line by Pierce about a “canary in the mine” is not only poetic, but a mission statement. According to him, the show predicted where institutions would start showing cracks, and it has only gotten more serious since. The original Wire required leisurely viewing, posed uneasy questions, and allowed the viewer to disagree with it. A reboot will turn it into a museum exhibit of wrestling issues that are merely to be consumed by the audience.

“That’s why The Wire is so poignant. It was a canary in the mine then and it’s a canary in the mine now. What kind of society do we want to be a part of?”

Wendell Pierce as Detective Bunk in The Wire

The Wire is not just where Wendell Pierce played the role of Detective William “Bunk” Moreland, it was the role that became the guiding light of his career. He starred as a sharp, world-weary homicide cop, but he added understated reality as well as humor and compassion to a universe of murky ethics. His subtle performance (capable of being coarse and noble, demeaned and crisply clever at the same time) struck a chord that lived with viewers long after the show was finished.

The fact that Pierce portrays a character that operates in a system that has well surpassed its breaking point is an anchor to the very purpose The Wire is still relevant today. Bunk is not a hero; he is a guy who tries to do right even when the game is rigged. It is precisely that well-rooted truth which gives Pierce's protest against the relaunching of the series so much weight: because he is not only saving the name of the series, he is protecting its spirit and essence.

Better ways to honor The Wire

What then should the fans look forward to other than a reboot? Not replicas but meaningful revivals. It should be easily available for streaming and promoted well enough to attract new viewers. New reporting and podcasts should be encouraged to explore the actual problems in Baltimore and what has changed since the series was over. Welcome back the original cast and introduce new voices in new shows which will carry forward the same kind of curiosity and diligence that The Wire had but explore different cities, systems, and stakes. And should you crave to explore Bunk and the crew's journey again, well, you always have the option to rewatch with your friends and discuss your insights over coffee after.

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