Michael Kenneth Williams has been involved in some of the greatest dramatic shows in television history, starting with his role as fearsome stick-up man Omar in David Simon’s seminal show “The Wire,” and continuing through “The Sopranos,” “Boardwalk Empire” and many more.
And this year, Williams has an abundance of riches: He’s entered in the Emmy race for his performances in Dustin Lance Black’s miniseries “When We Rise” and the Sundance series “Hap and Leonard,” as well as for hosting and executive producing the Vice investigative show “Black Market With Michael K. Williams.”
But it’s unlikely that any of those projects hit home quite as hard as did Steve Zaillian’s HBO limited series “The Night Of,” in which Williams plays Freddy, the kingpin among Rikers Island prisoners.