Wendell Pierce on politics, The Wire and Jack Ryan: ‘I have a consultant at the CIA who helps me prepare’

By his own admission, Wendell Pierce owes his career to a hard-drinking, womanising policeman. They look forward to bingeing, and set time apart to get back to this great story.” open image in gallery ‘Espionage and intelligence work is the study of human behaviour’: Pierce and John Krasinski in ‘Jack Ryan’ Just like The Wire, the story of Pierce’s own family and career holds up a mirror to the aspirations and prejudices of modern America. Pierce’s father endured many snubs and injustices on his return from the war, but still loved America, even during the times when, in Pierce’s biting phrase, “the country didn’t love him back”. It is malleable, and that’s what allows us to find a way forward.” open image in gallery ‘I used to be a theatre snob’: Pierce alongside Sope Dirisu in the West End production of ‘Death of a Salesman’ The story of Amos Pierce Jr’s struggle to create the America he wanted to live in found a fitting “moment of catharsis” in October last year, when, at the age of 97, he watched his son star as Willy Loman in Arthur Miller’s Death of a Salesman. “That’s something I’m trying to focus on as I go into my… third act.” open image in gallery ‘We’re all going to get together and blow it up’: Pierce and Dominic West in ‘The Wire’ One family of which Pierce will always be a part is the cast of The Wire, who remain close 20 years on.