Avon Randolph Barksdale is a fictional character in the American television series The Wire, played by Wood Harris. Barksdale is one of the most powerful drug dealers in Baltimore, Maryland, and runs the Barksdale Organization. Stringer Bell, his second in command, insulates Barksdale from law enforcement and potential enemies. Working for Barksdale and Bell is a large organization of drug dealers and enforcers.
Wood Harris as Avon Barksdale
The Barksdale Organization (season one)
The Barksdale Organization (season two)
The Barksdale Organization (season three)
The Wire is an American crime drama television series created and primarily written by American author and former police reporter David Simon. The series was broadcast by the cable network HBO in the United States. The Wire premiered on June 2, 2002, and ended on March 9, 2008, comprising 60 episodes over five seasons. The idea for the show started out as a police drama loosely based on the experiences of Simon's writing partner Ed Burns, a former homicide detective and public school teacher.
"Murderland Alley" is both realistically and bleakly portrayed.
Dominic West (pictured here in 2004) starred throughout the series as Jimmy McNulty.
Idris Elba portrays Stringer Bell
David Simon accepting the Peabody Award for The Wire at the 63rd Annual Peabody Awards.