The Wire

Andre Royo -- one of Michael K. Williams' co-stars on "The Wire" -- says the entire 'Wire' family is feeling the loss ... but he's encouraging people to keep spreading the late actor's positivity.

Andre -- who played the drug addict and informant "Bubbles" on the popular HBO series -- was out in NYC Friday when he reflected on Michael's life ... saying he was someone who cared about everybody.

Royo tells us Williams' death was a stunner, but he hopes people will rally together to keep his name alive, remember his work, and shine his light ... because his former co-star was a great person, and clearly left a major impact.

As we reported ... Williams -- who played the beloved character Omar on "The Wire" before going on to star on several other hit shows -- was found dead Monday of an apparent overdose in his Brooklyn apartment.

Anwan Glover -- who starred in the "The Wire" and "12 Years a Slave" -- has been sitting in a jail cell for over a week now after getting busted on firearm charges.

The veteran TV and movie actor was arrested in Washington D.C. on June 26 and booked for unlawful possession of a firearm -- a misdemeanor -- after cops say they searched his car during a traffic stop and discovered an unregistered handgun in Glover's Jeep. 

According to docs, obtained by TMZ, police were notified to be on the lookout for a white Jeep with a driver who was allegedly brandishing a gun out the window. Cops say they pulled over Glover because his ride matched the description and was making multiple lane changes without signaling.

Officers say they asked Glover if he had any weapons, and he said no. He also said no when they asked if they could search the vehicle but cops did it anyway, claiming probable cause.

The officers say they found a loaded Smith & Wesson MP Shield 9mm tucked between the Jeep's roll bar and roof cover, and then immediately placed Anwan under arrest. 

His lawyers filed a motion to have him released on bail ASAP so he could continue working and supporting his family. They say he denied any knowledge of the gun in the vehicle, and also argued cops had no business targeting him in the first place.

While cops say Glover's Jeep matched the description they were given, his attorneys say that's BS, and his Jeep is totally different. 

Wood Harris -- who starred as Avon Barksdale on the hit HBO series "The Wire" -- won't face any criminal charges after allegedly pummeling his girlfriend, who is now threatening further legal action.

The alleged incident went down back in April in Philly, when Harris' gf of 2 years, Anya Richardson, claimed he flew into a violent rage that landed her in the hospital.

According to a police report, obtained by TMZ, Richardson claimed he struck her multiple times in the stomach, neck and ribs. Richardson also alleged he spat on her face and choked her.

We reached out to Richardson, who tells TMZ ... Harris invited her to Philly where he was shooting "Creed II." She tells us they were in his hotel room when the unprovoked attack allegedly went down.

She says she went to the hospital the next day and reported the incident to police the day after her hospital visit. We spoke to a rep for the Philadelphia D.A.'s Office who tells us ... they could not prove beyond a reasonable doubt a crime had occurred, so they declined to prosecute.

Richardson's attorney, Alberto Ebanks, tells TMZ ... his client "feels there is little choice but to pursue alternative remedies to help protect other women from the threat of assault."

9:20 AM PT -- J.D. tells TMZ Sports he meant Kaep was screwing up the owners' money, not the money for black QBs.

Colin Kaepernick's protest is screwing up the NFL ecosystem for black QBs and costing them major money ... so says "The Wire" actor J.D. Williams who says Colin's hurting more than he's helping.

Williams has been in a ton of stuff, but he's most famous for playing street soldier Bodie Broadus for four seasons on HBO's "The Wire."

Williams took to his Twitter moments ago and fired off a series of tweets doing something most black celebrities have shied away from doing ... criticizing Colin Kaepernick's protest.

"I appreciate Kaepernicks' sentiment and attempt at a statement but he didn't HAVE to sacrifice his career in THAT way. Nice try?"

"We do REMEMBER black QBs in the NFL weren't even a THING really until about 7 yrs ago right? Kaep f**ked up their money ... with a big ass fro."

He didn't stop there, going on to imply Colin's protest wasn't a smart thing to do, because his employer (the NFL) doesn't care about his politics.

Melvin Williams -- the Baltimore drug dealer whose life inspired the classic television show "The Wire" -- died Thursday in Maryland. He was 73.

Williams was a powerful drug dealer in the '70s and '80s and served several years behind bars for trafficking. He was profiled for the Baltimore Sun in 1987 by David Simon, who went on to create "The Wire."

Williams -- who had a small role on the show as Deacon -- is believed to be the inspiration for the show's Avon Barksdale character, played by Wood Harris.

"The Walking Dead" star Seth Gilliam took police on a 4 minute high speed chase down a highway before they cuffed him and hauled away ... and the whole incident was captured on dash cam video.

Cops in Peachtree City, GA busted Gilliam early Sunday morning and said he was doing 107 mph when he blew past them -- and you can see in this video ... he was definitely flying low.

When officers finally pull him over ... one of the officers yells, "I need your hands where I can see 'em. Come back here." Gilliam steps out and immediately gets cuffed while the officer explain he's being arrested for reckless driving.

Now, the odd part -- the video cuts off right after the handcuffs go on Gilliam. Cops say they also found a joint in the car, and Gilliam said he'd had 3 beers and a shot. Seems strange that portion of the arrest video wasn't released.

Peachtree City PD tell us, "It's part of a criminal investigation and anything related to evidence that could prosecute him won't be given out until the investigation is over."

Seth Gilliam plays a priest on "The Walking Dead," but got busted for blazing like a bat out of hell down a highway, possession of marijuana, and DUI. Let us pray.

Police in Peachtree City, GA arrested Gilliam -- who also played a cop on "The Wire" -- early Sunday morning after officers say they clocked him at 107 mph. Once he was pulled over ... cops smelled booze, and asked Gilliam if he'd been drinking. They say he admitted to having 3 beers and a shot.

According to the police report, the arresting officer also discovered a joint in a cigarette box, hidden in the arm rest.

Cops say Gilliam blew a .107 blood alcohol level. He was arrested and released after posting a $9,818 bond.

It's weird -- Seth's arrest came 2 days after his 'Wire' and 'Walking' co-star Chad L. Coleman freaked out on an NYC train. Something in the water?

Count Anwan Glover from "The Wire" among those who feel the rioting and looting in Baltimore is doing disservice to the memory of Freddie Gray, whose death while in police custody triggered the protests.

Glover -- who played Slim Charles in the iconic HBO series set in Baltimore -- said he believes President Obama needs to become even more involved than he has been, to provide leadership for the city.

He also says if Slim were in Baltimore right now, he'd be using his "power in the street" to organize the youth and put a stop to the violence.

Slim did have a way with words ...

Idris dropped the bomb while talking to Playboy this week -- and said he was forced to watch an episode or two during screenings ... but never once by choice.

Don't worry Stringer fans ... Idris doesn't have anything against the show, he just claims it's too hard to watch because he's critical of his own work.

Robert F. Chew -- best known for playing Proposition Joe on "The Wire" -- was found dead yesterday in his apartment in Baltimore ... TMZ has learned.

According to the coroner in Baltimore, Chew died of cardiovascular disease. "Morbid obesity" was listed as a contributing factor.

Chew had very little acting experience before "The Wire" or after. He was on the cult HBO show -- which took place in Baltimore -- for five seasons.