Mackey is one of the biggest antiheroes thrust to the forefront of TV shows during this era, standing tall alongside Tony Soprano (The Sopranos), Walter White (Breaking Bad) and Michael C Hall’s serial killer Dexter Morgan.
The series, which achieved a sweat-inducing amount of tension as the net repeatedly closed in on Mackey, clearly inspired Breaking Bad, and is widely considered to be one of the greatest television shows of all time.
Premiering in 2002, The Shield, created by Shawn Ryan, starred Michael Chiklis as Vic Mackey, leader of a Strike Team who uses illegal methods to maintain law and order in Los Angeles.
Also starring in the series is Walton Goggins, recently Emmy nominated for Fallout, Kenny Johnson, CCH Pounder, Jay Karnes and Catherine Dent, with Glenn Close and Forest Whitaker starring in key roles throughout its seven-season run.
Since 1999, after HBO released The Sopranos, a new Golden Age of Television saw the premiere of numerous prestige shows considered by many to be among the best ever produced.
