Clarke Peters: From ‘The Wire’ to ‘The Boroughs’

Actor Clarke Peters reflects on his extensive career, spanning iconic roles in *The Wire* and *The Five Bloods* to his current work in the Netflix series *The Boroughs*. He emphasizes the importance of storytelling over stardom, rejecting roles that treat the elderly with condescension in favor of characters with depth and agency. Peters recounts his journey from an anti-war activist in the United States to a successful career on the London stage, where he found greater opportunities as a Black American performer. Beyond acting, he shares his experiences as a singer-songwriter, highlighting his musical contributions to theater productions and backing vocals for artists like Joan Armatrading. The discussion also touches on his upbringing in a multicultural New Jersey neighborhood and his deep connection to the history of the Mardi Gras Indians in New Orleans.