Watch It: Treme

The Wire's David Simon takes us inside post-Katrina NOLA

By Nikki Gardner
Published: April 8th, 2010 | 4:40pm

If you’re a fan of HBO’s crime drama The Wire, chances are you’ll tune into creator David Simon’s new series, Treme, premiering Sunday, April 11. But even if you're new to Simon's work, take note. There's a reason TIME, the San Francisco Chronicle, and Slate, among others, deemed The Wire the best show on TV. As addictive, realistic, and heartbreaking as anything that's aired on the big screen, its plot and character development took shape much like an epic novel might. It also offered a necessary alternative from reality-show-dominated aughties, treating fans to five brilliant seasons worth of material.

Set in post-Katrina New Orleans circa 2005, Treme follows the reconstruction of a city in the aftermath of historic devastation. The show focuses on the working class neighborhood which gave the show its title, and follows the lives of a few struggling musicians along with other local residents. Like The Wire, Treme paints a portrait of an urban landscape wrought with economic and political corruption, public housing debates, and criminal justice issues. Despite the tragic conditions, at its core, the show celebrates New Orleans’ rich cultural heritage as it works to redefine itself.

Treme is sure to explode with heartache, rhythm, and talent. The cast includes Wire favorites such as Wendell Pierce as Antoine Batiste, an accomplished trombonist, and Clarke Peters as Albert Lambreaux, the leader of a Mardi Gras Indian tribe. Steve Zahn joins the cast in his first TV series as DJ Davis McAlary; John Goodman appears as an English professor; and Khandi Alexander (from CSI: Miami, and Simon's The Corner) stars as Ladonna Batiste-Williams, a bar owner.

As usual, Simon also pulled from the local community, and many local residents will make their screen debut here. Further lending authenticity, the show includes musical cameos by New Orleans musician Kermit Ruffins, as well as Elvis Costello, Dr. John, Allen Toussaint, Steve Earle, Donald Harrison Jr., Galactic, Trombone Shorty Andrews, Deacon John, and the Rebirth and Tremé Brass Bands.

We don't even need to watch the trailer to know it's going to be amazing. But if you need further convincing, check it out!

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P.S. Sadly award-winning television writer David Mills passed away on March 30 on the set of Treme. Mills is know for his work on the dramas Homicide, NYPD Blue, E.R. as well as his collaborations with Simon. He will be missed.