To start the new course, here is a feature that will pop up from time to time, to highlight a character or a show that, in my opinion, deserves your attention. First step, here's one of the most charismatic and sexy characters ever to come out of any media: Russell "Stringer" Bell, from the HBO show "The Wire". While the show is an ensemble piece (season two features something like 40 characters), the first three seasons can be seen as the story of how Stringer made it from drug consigliere to refined real-estate tychoon. This character is a certified SOB and his displays of anger are that more terrifying because they are very rare and brutal. He is constantly the tallest guy in the room and oozes intelligence and menace in every scene he is in.
Interestingly, the actor portraying him, Idris Elba, is in fact british, and not afro-american.
"The Wire" is, bar none, the best crime tv show I have ever watched, and you know how fussy I am regarding these things. And yes, it's a better show than "the Sopranos". Oh noes ! Let's go get a fake tan and pluck our eyebrows!
You can watch all of "The Wire" here, but please, if you like it, follow my advice and buy the dvds. The show is not a powerhouse, and HBO might not renew it.
