The miniseries 'We Own This City,' which first aired on HBO in 2022, is based on the nonfiction book by Baltimore Sun reporter Justin Fenton. It chronicles the astonishing true story of one of the most startling police corruption scandals in a generation. The series follows Sergeant Wayne Jenkins, played by Jon Bernthal, one of eight officers convicted of various corruption charges in 2018 and 2019.
Plot and Real-Life Context
The story focuses on the rise and fall of the Baltimore Police Department's Gun Trace Task Force (GTTF). The real Sergeant Wayne Jenkins, the ringleader of the unit, is still serving his prison sentence. Jenkins led a double life, using his powerful position to commit crimes such as robbing drug dealers, planting evidence, and falsifying police reports.
Critical Reception and Viewer Reviews
The series has been hailed as exceptional by viewers on IMDb. One reviewer said: "It's a slow burn, getting better and better. They capture the issues of modern policing without being preachy, just laying the truth bare. The casting is great, using a lot of familiar faces from The Wire and the writing is excellent. This is Jon Bernthal's best work in my opinion. He plays a veteran Baltimore cop so convincingly. If you like cop dramas, don't miss this one."
Another commented: "It is about time some type of rendition [of] The Wire has come out. This show is exceptional and I hope to see more seasons. To the writer, you are inspiring and creative!"
Limited Series and Availability
Sadly, the series only aired for six episodes as it was planned as a miniseries. One fan predicted the show would be "remembered as a classic," adding: "Extremely well written. Chock full of three-dimensional characters. This show demands your full attention but if you give it that then it's more than worth your viewing. Acting is superb, in my opinion, with excellent casting. It's an accurate portrayal of police corruption that has plagued American society for decades. If you don't feel that way then you are on the other side of the fence when it comes to that debate. One of the best dramas I've seen in recent memory."
Investigative reporter Justin Fenton was one of the lead reporters on the GTTF scandal and has written extensively about Baltimore policing. 'We Own This City' is streaming on HBO Max.
