New Police Drama Marks Jon Bernthal's First Major TV Role Since The Punisher

A new police drama will see Jon Bernthal star in his first major TV role since The Punisher, which was cancelled in 2019 after just two seasons. Watch a trailer for the forthcoming series here: 

While Bernthal has featured in a number of titles on the big screen over the past two years, including 2021’s King Richard and The Many Saints of Newark, it's been a while since he’s had a leading role in a series after his turn as Frank Castle came to an end. 

Following minor parts in The Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt and B.J. Novak’s The Premise, Bernthal is now at the centre of a brand-new police drama about Baltimore Police Department’s Gun Trace Task Force, which airs in the UK next month. 

We Own This City is a miniseries based on a non-fiction book of the same name by reporter Justin Fenton, detailing the ‘rise and fall’ of the task force, honing in on the story of Sergeant Wayne Jenkins (Bernthal), one of eight officers who were convicted on various corruption charges in 2018 and 2019. 

HBO

Alongside Bernthal, the drama stars the likes of Wunmi Mosaku (Lovecraft Country), Jamie Hector (The Wire) and Josh Charles (The Good Wife). 

A synopsis from Sky says: “Developed by George Pelecanos and David Simon, and directed by Reinaldo Marcus Green, We Own This City chronicles the rise and fall of the Baltimore Police Department's Gun Trace Task Force and the corruption and moral collapse that befell an American city in which the policies of drug prohibition and mass arrest were championed at the expense of actual police work.” 

After premiering in the US on HBO Max last month, the show is coming to Sky Atlantic and NOW on 7 June. 

Viewers in the UK can expect good things, with the series boasting a commendable 93 percent on Rotten Tomatoes.

HBO

In his review for Variety, Joshua Alston said the miniseries is 'stunningly executed', noting how it is 'inspired by a type of true crime so pervasive and deep-rooted that only the tools and tactics evolve over time'.

Vulture's Jen Chaney, meanwhile, said it is 'impossible to watch We Own This City without thinking of The Wire', with Darren Franich from Entertainment Weekly also describing it as a 'blistering and brilliant cop show about the corrosion of American law enforcement and America itself'.

Over on social media, the consensus seems to be the same, with one viewer tweeting: "Just like when The Wire was on, We Own This City is quietly the best thing on TV right now. Just under the radar."

Another agreed: "We Own This City is the best show since The Wire. Every second of this s*** has been fire."

A third said Bernthal gives an 'acting masterclass', while someone else wrote: "Started watching We Own This City, some solid real s*** being done there. Jon Bernthal giving it 110% as always. Really great s***, man."

Watch We Own This City on Sky Atlantic and NOW from 7 June.