The Wire: How Dominic West Almost Missed Out on Iconic Role of Jimmy McNulty

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Okay, so when people talk about the best TV detective shows, The Wire doesn’t always jump to mind, and that’s understandable. But honestly, as far as police procedural series go, I truly believe it’s the greatest ever. The thing is, it’s just so much more than a typical detective show, which is probably why it doesn’t fit neatly into that category.

The HBO drama The Wire provides a detailed look at all levels of society, focusing on the city government and police in Baltimore. While the show features a wide range of characters, police detective Jimmy McNulty stands out as its central figure and one of its most compelling.

It’s surprising to learn that Dominic West almost didn’t play McNulty – the actor who ultimately became so iconic in the role over the five seasons of The Wire. He actually got the part in a very unexpected way.

The Wire’s Jimmy McNulty Was Almost Played By John C. Reilly

Believe it or not, John C. Reilly – known for his comedic roles – was almost cast as the gritty detective Jimmy McNulty in The Wire. David Simon, the show’s creator, reveals in his book, All the Pieces Matter, that Reilly was actually his first pick for the part, a surprising choice considering Dominic West’s eventual portrayal.

Although Tim Reilly seemed like a good fit for the part – he’s Irish-American and can handle both funny and serious roles – looking back, it’s hard to picture him as McNulty. The role almost went to him, but his wife wasn’t keen on moving to Baltimore for filming, so he didn’t get it.

Ray Winstone, a British actor, was also considered for the role, and was actually HBO’s first pick to play McNulty. However, he had to decline because of conflicts in his schedule. David Simon, the show’s creator, wasn’t entirely sure Winstone could convincingly master a Baltimore accent anyway (according to BuzzFeed).

Dominic West Gave A “Hilarious” Audition For The Part Right Before The Deadline

We’re lucky Dominic West landed the role of Jimmy McNulty – he was absolutely perfect for it. It’s still considered the highlight of his career, and it’s hard to picture anyone else in the part. Interestingly, how his audition went suggests things could have easily turned out differently.

In a 2022 interview with the London Metro, the original director of the show, Clark Johnson, shared a funny story about an actor who rushed a VHS tape to HBO just in the nick of time. Johnson remembered that the tape was poor quality, with a scratchy picture and bad sound.

Johnson considered West’s audition – performing solo with pauses between lines – to be unusually awkward. However, it was these very unusual choices that ultimately convinced Johnson and Simon to cast West as McNulty.

West’s Performance Helped Make The Wire The Best Police Drama Of All Time

Jimmy McNulty is a unique homicide detective known for bending the rules and trusting his instincts. Dominic West perfectly captured these qualities during his audition, and his performance was a key factor in making The Wire HBO’s most acclaimed crime drama.

Many consider this series to be one of the best TV shows ever made, and it’s definitely a standout police drama. However, it wouldn’t have been nearly as captivating without the performance of Dominic West in the lead role.

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2025-11-09 23:58