We Own This City (2022)
David Simon's searing HBO miniseries exposes the corruption that consumed Baltimore's most notorious police unit.
We Own This City - Series Information
- Original Title: We Own This City
- First Air Year: 2022
- Last Air Year: 2022
- Created by: George Pelecanos, David Simon
- Type: TV Series
- Genres: Crime, Drama
- Content Rating (US): TV-MA
- Number of Seasons: 1
- Number of Episodes: 6
- Status: Ended
- Original Language: English
- Spoken Languages: English
- First Air Date: April 25, 2022 (United States - TV-MA), April 25, 2022 (United Kingdom - 18), April 25, 2022 (Germany - 18), April 25, 2022 (France - 18), April 25, 2022 (India - A), April 25, 2022 (Australia - MA 15+), April 25, 2022 (Brazil - 18), April 25, 2022 (Mexico - D), April 25, 2022 (Italy - VM12), April 25, 2022 (Spain - 18)
- Networks: HBO
- Alternative Titles: วี โอน ดิส ซิตี้ (TH)
- Production Companies: Crime Story Media, HBO
- Production Countries: United States of America
We Own This City - Plot
The story of the rise and fall of the Baltimore Police Department's Gun Trace Task Force — and the corruption and moral collapse that befell an American city in which the policies of drug prohibition and mass arrest were championed at the expense of actual police work.
We Own This City - Trailer
Watch the official trailer and see the scandal unfold:
In a war, you count the bodies and call them victories.
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We Own This City - Cast & Crew
Creator(s)
- George Pelecanos
- David Simon
Main Cast
- Jon Bernthal
- Wunmi Mosaku
- Jamie Hector
- Josh Charles
- McKinley Belcher III
- Rob Brown
- David Corenswet
- Dagmara Dominczyk
- Don Harvey
- Larry Mitchell
Writers
- David Simon
- William F. Zorzi
- George Pelecanos
- Ed Burns
- D. Watkins
Executive Producers
- Kary Antholis
- Reinaldo Marcus Green
- Ed Burns
- Nina K. Noble
- George Pelecanos
We Own This City - FAQs
Is We Own This City based on a true story?
Absolutely. The miniseries is adapted from journalist Justin Fenton's 2021 nonfiction book of the same name, which chronicled the real-life crimes of Baltimore's Gun Trace Task Force. The officers depicted were convicted of robbery, extortion, and drug dealing in a scandal that shook the city's police department to its core.
What happened to the real Gun Trace Task Force officers?
Most members of the real Gun Trace Task Force were convicted on federal charges including robbery, racketeering, and drug distribution. Sergeant Wayne Jenkins, the unit's ringleader, received 25 years in prison. Several other officers received sentences ranging from 7 to 18 years, marking one of the most significant police corruption cases in Baltimore's history.
Is We Own This City worth watching?
Without question. The miniseries earned widespread critical acclaim, with a 96% score on Rotten Tomatoes. David Simon's razor-sharp writing and Jon Bernthal's electrifying performance as Sergeant Wayne Jenkins make it essential viewing for fans of prestige crime drama. It's a devastating, meticulously crafted portrait of institutional failure.
Where can you stream We Own This City?
You can stream We Own This City on HBO Max and through the HBO Max Amazon Channel. If you prefer to own it, episodes are available to buy on Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, and Fandango At Home.
How does We Own This City compare to The Wire?
Both series share the same creative DNA — David Simon, Baltimore, and a systemic critique of American institutions — but We Own This City is a tighter, more focused six-episode miniseries. Where The Wire sprawled across five seasons, this story zeroes in on one corrupt unit, delivering its indictment with concentrated, unrelenting force.
Who plays Sergeant Wayne Jenkins in We Own This City?
Jon Bernthal plays Sergeant Wayne Jenkins, the charismatic and deeply corrupt leader of the Gun Trace Task Force. Bernthal's performance was widely praised as career-defining, capturing Jenkins' volatile swagger and moral bankruptcy with unsettling authenticity across the miniseries' six episodes.
Did We Own This City win any awards?
The miniseries received strong awards recognition, earning Emmy nominations including Outstanding Limited Series. Jon Bernthal and the writing team also garnered nominations from the Critics Choice and Television Critics Association awards, cementing the show's reputation as one of 2022's most acclaimed television events.
What are good shows to watch after We Own This City?
If We Own This City left you wanting more, start with The Wire — David Simon's landmark Baltimore epic is essential. Homicide: Life on the Street and Dope Thief offer similarly gritty, character-driven police drama. For true-crime depth, Seven Seconds and Full Circle are compelling companion pieces.
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