The Deuce- Seasons 1-3

This is a gritty drama from the creators of The Wire.  The Wire is probably unmatched for its depth and epic scope but The Deuce is a very impressive follow-up.  It’s set in a different city, at a different time: New York (mostly, Times Square), through the 1970s and 1980s.  Over 25 hours, it tells the stories of over a dozen characters, most of who are either a part of the sex trade, or have a hand in shaping it.

There are three aspects of it that are especially worth mentioning.  The first is the manner in which it marries fact with fiction.  Not only is the background narrative based on actual events, some of the key characters, while seeming to live ordinary lives, have real-life inspirations.  Secondly, the performances are uniformly excellent, and a few are outright stunning.  Thirdly, and probably most impressively, is the way in which it instantly and consistently immerses you in its world.  As one reviewer put it:

World-building is a topic that tends to come up with science-fiction sagas or fantasy epics, but The Deuce is one of the most impressive examples in recent memory.

Here’s a link to the trailer.