The Wire is a film.
The Wire is an American crime drama television series set and produced in Baltimore , Maryland . Created and primarily written by author and former police reporter David Simon , the series was broadcast by the cable network HBO in the United States . The Wire premiered on June 2 , 2002 , and ended on March 9 , 2008 , comprising 60 episodes over five seasons . Although the show received average ratings throughout its run , and never won any major television awards , it has since come to be regarded by many critics as one of the greatest television series of all time .