HBO's new series Game of Thrones, based on George R. R. Martin's epic fantasy novels, is being touted as a medieval Wire. Makes sense: Like the complex Baltimore crime drama (which ran five seasons on the network), Thrones boasts braided story lines, inscrutable colloquialisms, and a never-ending pursuit to crown a king. No coincidence, then, that Wire alum Aidan Gillen—who played oil-slick politician Tommy Carcetti—is among its stars. But we've noticed that Gillen is just one in a gang of former cast members who've made their way into geek culture. Our only question: Where's Snoop?
Jamie Hector
Baltimore: Ruling the streets as emotionally unstable drug dealer Marlo Stanfield
Geekville: Absorbing people's fears as Knox on Heroes
David Costabile
Baltimore: Spineless newspaper editor
Geekville: Guileless meth-lab assistant on Breaking Bad
Aidan Gillen
Baltimore: Overambitious mayor-to-be Tommy Carcetti
Geekville: Underhanded royal adviser in HBO's fantasy series Game of Thrones
Idris Elba
Baltimore: Suave yet lethal drug lord Stringer Bell
Geekville: The Brit's CV runs the gamut, from NATO general (28 Weeks Later) to intuitive detective (BBC's Luther) to Norse deity (in upcoming film Thor).
Wendell Pierce
Baltimore: Cigar-chomping detective Bunk Moreland.
Geekville: After a cameo on Adult Swim's Tim and Eric Awesome Show, Great Job!, Pierce headed down to the bayou for Wire creator David Simon's follow-up series, Treme.
Tom Mccarthy
Baltimore: Jayson Blair had nothing on chronic fabulist Scott Templeton.
Geekville: Directing his ol' pal Gillen in the Thrones pilot
Clarke Peters
__Baltimore:__Detective Lester Freamon, who worked wiretaps like Yo-Yo Ma on a cello.
Geekville: Did voice work for Doctor Who animated series Dreamland and played parts in Life on Mars, Treme, and Damages.
Lance Reddick
Baltimore: Lt. Cedric Daniels, ever-frustrated but always with a wink
Geekville: Lost role is a distant dharmic vision, but he still remains on the Fringe as a special agent.
Amy Ryan
Baltimore: Quiet yet scrappy port authority officer Beadie Russell
Geekville: Her hardscrabble mom in Gone Baby Gone got an Oscar nod, but as quirky Holly on The Office, her Yoda voice won Michael's heart.
Andre Royo
Baltimore: Effervescent addict and informant Bubbles
Geekville: Played roles in Numb3rs, Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles, Fringe, and Rainn Wilson's dark comedy Super.
Dominic West
Baltimore: Irascible detective Jimmy McNulty: What the f*@! did he do?
Geekville: Played Greek politician Theron in 300, that's what! Next: a princely turn in Andrew Stanton's John Carter of Mars, slated for March 2012.
Michael K. Williams
Baltimore: Whistling, gun-toting Omar Little, Robin of the 'hood
Geekville: A supporting role as Atlantic City power player Chalky White on HBO's Boardwalk Empire
Isiah Whitlock Jr.
Baltimore: Clay Davis, a crooked state senator who ended up in deep sheeeit
Geekville: After a stint as a sleazy PI on the short-lived series Rubicon, he hit the big screen as a conventioneer in indie comedy Cedar Rapids.
Photos: Costabile, Williams: Nicole Rivelli; West: Everett; Others: Paul Schiraldi
