Superman star's gritty drama 'on par with Breaking Bad' now streaming

Before donning the cape as Clark Kent, David Corenswet made waves in a critically acclaimed police drama that's available to stream now.

The 32-year-old actor is already garnering accolades for his portrayal of the Man of Tomorrow in James Gunn's Superman, currently showing in cinemas.

However, those flocking to watch the superhero film may be unaware of Corenswet's role in HBO's We Own This City. Penned by David Simon, the mastermind behind The Wire, this limited series delves into the dark underbelly of the Baltimore Police Department's Gun Trace Task Force.

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A synopsis reveals: "Based on the book 'We Own This City: A True Story of Crime, Cops and Corruption' by Baltimore Sun reporter Justin Fenton, this gritty drama chronicles the rise and fall of the Baltimore Police Department's Gun Trace Task Force.

"It exposes the corruption and moral collapse that befalls an American city in which the policies of drug prohibition and mass arrest are championed at the expense of actual police work," reports the Mirror US.

Currently streaming on NOW TV, the drama sees Corenswet take on the role of a seasoned Narcotics Task Force investigator.

The rest of the cast is equally stellar, featuring The Bear's Jon Bernthal, Sinners actress Wunmi Mosaku, The Wire veteran Jamie Hector and The Departed's Larry Mitchell in leading roles.

Similar to The Wire, We Own This City was met with widespread praise. Critics on Rotten Tomatoes awarded the six-part series an impressive 93 percent score.

Their consensus raves: "A spiritual successor to The Wire with an even more pessimistic outlook on law enforcement, We Own This City deftly explores compromised individuals to paint an overall picture of systemic corruption."

HBO viewers were equally impressed. One IMDb user penned: "Top notch from top to bottom.

"[...] It's a revelation. Great writing, acting and storytelling. Hang in there, it's one of the best shows on TV. David Simon doesn't disappoint."

Comparisons to television titans were made by another viewer, claiming: "On a par with Deadwood, The Sopranos, The Wire, Succession, Breaking Bad."

Mutual feelings were shared by another, who wrote: "In a word...brilliant. This limited series scratches the itch of everyone longing for another season of The Wire, while simultaneously delivering a captivating narrative that stands firmly on it's own merits."

We Own This City is streaming on NOW TV.