Michael K. Williams

Michael K. Williams gave Omar Little an unmistakable presence in The Wire. The confidence is obvious, but the performance also has humour, affection and a distinctive way of approaching a conversation. Omar never feels like a collection of intimidating mannerisms.

Williams's other television roles include Chalky White in Boardwalk Empire, Freddy Knight in The Night Of, and Leonard Pine in Hap and Leonard. Each character has a different relationship with the people around him, despite the physical assurance Williams could bring to all three.

He died in 2021. His work remains an important part of what makes The Wire so memorable: a character can be unusual without feeling as though he has been imported from a different, more theatrical programme.