Jon Bernthal leads the series (Image: HBO)
Fans of crime dramas and true crime are being urged to watch a series based on a book recalling “the astonishing true story of one of the most startling police corruption scandals in a generation”. The series, which first aired on HBO back in 2022, is based on the nonfiction book of the same name by Baltimore Sun reporter Justin Fenton.
The story follows Sergeant Wayne Jenkins (Jon Bernthal), one of eight officers convicted of various corruption charges in 2018 and 2019. We Own This City, the series in question, explores the rise and fall of the Baltimore Police Department’s Gun Trace Task Force. The real Sergeant Wayne Jenkins, who was the ringleader of the unit, is still serving his prison sentence.
The miniseries has been hailed exceptional (Image: HBO)
Jenkins led a double life, using his powerful position as the head of the GTTF to commit crimes such as robbing drug dealers, planting evidence and falsifying police reports.
The series, which is available to stream on HBO Max, focuses on Jenkins and viewers took to IMDb reviews to share their thoughts.
One 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!”
The series is about real corrupt cops (Image: HBO)
Sadly, the series only aired for six episodes as it was planned as a miniseries.
One fan said 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
