As low-life lawyer Maury Levy, actor Michael Kostroff councils gangsters on HBO?s “The Wire.” The hit show ends its critically acclaimed run this season after giving viewers a taste of David Simon?s vision of Baltimore City for the past five years.
Q: What was the mood on the set during the final filming?
A: There was a really light tone ? joking, laughter and looseness. Actors don?t tend to be sentimental. We can?t afford to be. We get very close and then say good-bye over and over again. It?s the nature of our work.
Q: What was your time in Baltimore like?
A: Living in L.A., where everyone is in show business, I enjoy being [in Baltimore] with real people with real lives. Baltimore loves ?The Wire,? and I like the fact that I?m recognized [here]. I?ve had some interesting conversations sitting at the bar with fans. They tend to be sharp and ask very interesting questions.
Q: What can we expect this season?
A: The [Baltimore] Sun is its own story line, and that crashes into all of the other story lines in true ?Wire? fashion. It?s so compelling, because it all starts to weave, drawing parallels between and criss-crossing characters that you wouldn?t expect to meet. As usual, we?re dropping bodies. It happens every year, but viewers will be happy to find a lot of their old favorites are back.
Q: Does your character suddenly grow a conscience?
A: Maury Levy continues to be the nastiest, shiftiest, most unscrupulous lawyer in Baltimore. It?s a joy playing sucha horrible human being. Particularly because in real life, I?m nothing like this character … I?m goofy. – Jessica Novak
