In an age too given to moral certainty, let’s remember The Wire’s Omar as a study in complexity | Kenan Malik
by Kenan Malik from on (#5PEBN)
Michael K Williams, who died last week, embodied a role of power and nuance, seldom seen on screen
It's not often that a shotgun-wielding thief and killer comes to be seen as possessing a moral core. But then it's not often that you have a character like Omar Little. Or an actor like Michael K Williams to bring him to life. Or a TV series like The Wire that allowed both character and actor to breathe.
The death last week of Williams, possibly of a drugs overdose, has robbed us of one of the most subtle, supple actors of our time. He was outstanding in a number of roles, from Boardwalk Empire to Bessie, from The Night Of to The Road. But it was his portrayal of Omar Little that truly lives in the memory.
Continue reading...