We Own This City

We Own This City is a compelling drama series produced by HBO Max that plunges viewers into the grim, complex world of police corruption and community discontent in Baltimore city. Influenced by real events, this six-part series is developed from the acclaimed journalist, Justin Fenton's book of the same name, known for his investigative reporting on the Baltimore police department.

Jon Bernthal, who has previously gained recognition for his performance in The Walking Dead and Marvel's The Punisher, stars as Sean Suiter, a respected detective in the Baltimore Police Department (BPD) faced with moral dilemmas and professional challenges while grappling with the institution's internal dynamics. Josh Charles plays Daniel Hersl, a tough, street-smart detective who is deft navigating the edge of the law but is gradually navigated towards a path of self-destruction. Wunmi Mosaku brings to life Sergeant Alicia White, a seasoned police officer struggling to uphold truth and justice in a system plagued with corruption.

The supporting cast boasts of talented actors like Jamie Hector of The Wire and McKinley Belcher III who are seen portraying characters entrenched in the murky waters of crime and corruption. Additionally, Dagmara Dominczyk, Rob Brown, Donald Patrick Harvey, and David Corenswet each grace the screen with nuanced depictions of varied characters that enrich the unfolding narrative.

Adding a touch of realism to the series is local rapper, Young Moose, who captures the city's raw essence through his character. His casting addresses the symbiotic relationship between art and community, serving as reflection of the city's spirit and its people's resilience.

Set primarily within the structures of the BPD's Gun Trace Task Force (GTTF), the story captures the rampant corruption pervading the department. It offers an unflinching look at a city simmering with discontent and the police force's entrenched corruption that contributes to it. While the series doesn't shy away from the dark underbelly of power abuse, it also juxtaposes these grim realities with moments of humanity, heroes wrestling with their inner demons, and the constant struggle for justice versus self-survival.

Produced by the team behind The Wire, including George Pelecanos and David Simon, We Own This City is seeped in gritty realism and is a masterful exploration of the labyrinthine relationship between law enforcers and the society they serve. Each episode serves as a chapter, contributing to the bigger narrative and leading viewers on a tumultuous journey into the heart of the city of Baltimore.

We Own This City isn't just about crime, it plunges deeper, exploring the societal factors giving rise to it and the desperate solutions meted out to combat it. From the corruption-free characters vying to clean up the system to the corrupt ones perpetuating the cycle, the series paints a multi-dimensional picture that forces viewers to confront and ponder hard-hitting realities.

The series offers a spectrum of compelling characters, from dogged detectives, street-smart officers, and high-ranking officials, all expertly entangled in a web of corruption, deceit, and integrity. All the while, the city of Baltimore itself emerges as a significant character in the narrative, its vibrant and gritty streets teeming with life, hopes, and despair simultaneously.

Immersive and profoundly moving, We Own This City is more than just a crime drama. It's an incisive study of a city's fractured character and the clashing forces trying to repair it. The series proves to be a compelling watch, promising an intricate plot, well-rounded characters, and a narrative that's painstakingly respectful of its basis in reality.

As viewers traverse the multi-layered plot, there are lessons learned and profound revelations made about the power structures that govern societies. We Own This City is a beacon of storytelling that tells an unflinching tale of corruption in the face of duty, guaranteeing to leave audiences with thought-provoking insights long after the final credits roll.