Michael K. Williams Wanted His 'The Wire' Character to be More Gay

The late Michael K. Williams, who portrayed iconic gay character Omar on "The Wire," for its five-season run (2002 - 2008), pushed for greater reality in how Omar was depicted, including wanting the show not to shy away from gay sex.

Entertainment Weekly reported that Williams' newly published "posthumous memoir, 'Scenes From My Life' [Crown publishing, on sale now] reveals that the late actor advocated for more intimate scenes between Omar and his boyfriend, Brandon, while filming the critically acclaimed series."

In the book, Williams wrote, "In regards to Omar and his lover Brandon (played by Michael Kevin Darnall), it seemed like everyone was dancing around their intimacy issue."

The memoir added: "There was lots of touching hair and rubbing lips and things like that. I felt like if we were going to do this, we should go all in. I think the directors were scared, and I said to one of them, 'You know gay people fuck, right?'"

The EW article said that "In the book, co-written by Jon Sternfeld, Williams – who died of a drug overdose at age 54 last September – recalled that 'at some point, the issue boiled over for me,' so he pulled Darnall aside and suggested that the pair kiss in their next scene."

Darnall suggested checking with the director about it first, but "Williams replied, 'I don't think we should ask anyone. I think we should just do it,'" the EW story detailed.

"Darnall then requested that Williams make their kiss spontaneous so it looks natural."

Williams recounted in the memoir how the bold choice took everyone by surprise.

"When I went in and kissed Michael on the lips, everyone stopped what they were doing and went slack-jawed," the memoir reads. "Twenty years ago, men – especially men of color – were not kissing on television. I don't mean it was rare; I mean it did not happen."

Williams reflected on his initial reluctance around playing a gay man (which was not how he identified), EW relayed. Writing that his uncertainty stemmed from the culture in which he was brought up, Williams disclosed that when he "realized that Omar was non-effeminate, that I didn't have to talk or walk in a flamboyant way, a lot of that fear drained away. I made Omar my own."

"He wasn't written as a type, and I wouldn't play him as one," the memoir said.

"He loves absolutely, fearlessly, with his whole entire being," Williams added about the character, who proved to be a landmark in television history. "After clicking with that, I understood him completely."