'Wire’ taps: Wendell Pierce
The stars of the hit HBO series weigh in on the final season
How do you feel with “The Wire” finally winding down?
I have mixed emotions. I'm happy we were able to complete the novel. This has definitely been the best job of my career. It's fun to be Bunk. I was real nervous about the role at first, because my character is loosely based on a real detective, but it turned out he loves the show, so that made me feel good. Bunk is a great character to play because he's fleshed-out—a troubled man who's a really good cop at the same time. That gives him focus when the rest of his life is falling apart. He's not lost, exactly, but he's susceptible to his inadequacies.
What happens in season five? Can you share any secrets?
About all I can say is that each character is challenged by his moral compass, and the choices people make put them at odds with each other. The best thing about being on the series is seeing the way the characters interact. One of the interesting things about “The Wire” is that even if you like a character, you can't be sure they're going to do the right thing. There's always that ambiguity about whose moral compass is off and whose is on. You can't take stereotypes for granted, whether you're looking at a judge or a kid who's swinging on the street. I love that about the show.
What are you going to miss most about playing Bunk?
The camaraderie with McNulty and Freamon and all the other police. Playing Bunk brought me a sense of ease that I hadn't found before. I'm a lot more relaxed in my work now.
How do you think “The Wire” will be remembered in coming years?
We're going to be like "The Bicycle Thief." People will say, "Here's my top 10—and do you know about “The Wire”?" I think we'll get a whole new fan base after the show is done, because people will be able to pop in the DVDs. The show has already touched people across the spectrum who want to be challenged as well as entertained—young and old, black and white, rich and poor.
The fifth and final season of “The Wire” premieres Sunday, Jan. 6 at 9 p.m./8c on HBO.
I have mixed emotions. I'm happy we were able to complete the novel. This has definitely been the best job of my career. It's fun to be Bunk. I was real nervous about the role at first, because my character is loosely based on a real detective, but it turned out he loves the show, so that made me feel good. Bunk is a great character to play because he's fleshed-out—a troubled man who's a really good cop at the same time. That gives him focus when the rest of his life is falling apart. He's not lost, exactly, but he's susceptible to his inadequacies.
What happens in season five? Can you share any secrets?
About all I can say is that each character is challenged by his moral compass, and the choices people make put them at odds with each other. The best thing about being on the series is seeing the way the characters interact. One of the interesting things about “The Wire” is that even if you like a character, you can't be sure they're going to do the right thing. There's always that ambiguity about whose moral compass is off and whose is on. You can't take stereotypes for granted, whether you're looking at a judge or a kid who's swinging on the street. I love that about the show.
What are you going to miss most about playing Bunk?
The camaraderie with McNulty and Freamon and all the other police. Playing Bunk brought me a sense of ease that I hadn't found before. I'm a lot more relaxed in my work now.
How do you think “The Wire” will be remembered in coming years?
We're going to be like "The Bicycle Thief." People will say, "Here's my top 10—and do you know about “The Wire”?" I think we'll get a whole new fan base after the show is done, because people will be able to pop in the DVDs. The show has already touched people across the spectrum who want to be challenged as well as entertained—young and old, black and white, rich and poor.
The fifth and final season of “The Wire” premieres Sunday, Jan. 6 at 9 p.m./8c on HBO.
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