He definitely seems to have a smug satisfaction whenever he wins a case. It's odd too because as smarmy as the character is, he's definitely one of those guys you love to hate.
I get that a lot. People like watching Levy and they always smile when they tell me how much they hate me.

I was in the grocery store, picking out tomatoes like you do and, I have to say, I don't walk around with a constant awareness of the fact that I'm on television. So, I'm buying tomatoes and behind me I hear, "You motherfucking son of a bitch."

I turned around and I thought, "Did this guy want these particular tomatoes?" And I noticed that he was smiling from ear to ear. It took me a second, then I went, "Oh, you watch The Wire."

And with a big grin he went, "Yeah, you're an asshole." (Laughs.)

There is something likeable about him. And yeah, you're right, he is very pleased with himself when he has outwitted his opponents. That's kind of what it's about. And I think that's why lawyers admire him. Not because they admire his ethics, but because they do admire his technique.

How often do you get recognized? Does it happen quite a bit?
Fairly frequently, more so now that our fifth season is underway. We have hardcore Wire fans everywhere. I think more often they look at me and they feel like they know me but they can't quite place me because I'm so different from Levy in real life. I'm a total goofball, I'm just a geek and I'm usually smiling when they meet me and they just can't put that together.

Obviously you can't give away anything substantial, but can you give us any indication what is in store for Levy for the rest of season five?
I can tell you that it's just as ever, more slime, more duplicity, more unscrupulous tactics. As you know, we are all sworn to secrecy, we all sign an agreement saying we won't say any plotline. I've already disappointed those that thought I might end up a minister by the end of the season. That's not going to happen.

It really kills me that I can't talk about this season because it's really, really good. It's got shocks in it. It will not disappoint and we will not have a Sopranos ending, I can promise you that.

What are some of your favorite moments from the show?
It's so many little moments that I love. I share this in common with David Simon, he likes the funny moments. I love the "fuck" scene, when the whole dialogue in the scene is fuck. One of my favorite things was when they were trying to use Robert's Rules of Order for the co-op meeting among the gang members and somebody says something and somebody else says, "Sit down motherfucker, the chair ain't recognize you yet."

I just love the richness and the diversity of the characters and how they completely manage to surprise us over and over again. It is hard to pick out a moment, I have to say.

I think most fans would say their favorite Levy moment is when I get knocked down by Omar in the courtroom and kind of exposed as a fraud. That's a fairly brilliant moment, I think. And I loved working with Michael K. Williams.

Because there are so many characters on the show, many of the actors have never met. I mostly work with certain characters. So, at the premiere this year, I was able to shake hands with Rawls and Carcetti and a bunch of people I've never met and tell them I like their work.

So the day that I went to work with Michael K. Williams, I was scared because he's such a badass on the show. I was nervous to meet him. I came over, very shyly put out my hand and he looked at me and said, "I was afraid to meet you." Then we ended up having a good old time. He's just the sweetest man in the world.

The fact that he's been overlooked in the Emmy nominations is appalling to me. He and Andre Royo have put in just perfect performances year after year, moving and complex, and I don't understand why they haven't been nominated.

Having been a part of the show for such a long time, what was it like when the final season wrapped and how do you feel now that the filming of the show is complete?
It's strange. There's a really good feeling in moving on. I feel like we made great television and there's really kind of a proud feeling in putting a hat on it. And at the same time, I don't want to be overly dramatic, but when I rapped my last scene, I thought, "Maury Levy's gone. That's it. There's no more Maury Levy." And I thought, "I'm going to miss that son of a bitch. God help me, I can't believe it but I'm going to miss it."

So there's a little sense of loss, but I think much stronger than any sense of loss is the sense of real satisfaction and pride. You know, Maury was only supposed to be on two episodes and they just kept writing me in and I was so flattered by that. Just to be in the company of those actors and for David Simon to want the character to continue is really an honor.

Overall, the feeling is just a really good feeling and I'm excited to move on. In fact, I wanted my next job to be as different as possible from The Wire and I just shot a pilot for Disney just before Thanksgiving. Not only is it a comedy, but it's a kid's comedy and I'm the only grownup on it and I play a total wimp. So it's really nice to have the other end of the spectrum for a change.

What do you do to unwind? What kind of hobbies do you have?
I'm addicted to online Scrabble. I waste way too much time. And I'll now say what I shouldn't, I watch horrible reality TV shows. I'm a big American Idol junkie and Top Chef, Project Runway, all that crap that we're not supposed to watch because it puts actors out of work.

What would you be doing for a living if you never got into acting?
Wow, that's a great question. It's a hard question. I've always loved theatrical set design, so I guess that would still be in the arts. I think I might have been a therapist. I'm really interested in what makes people tick. I think that drives me as an actor as well. I think I could have very happily become a therapist.

Tell us something most people don't know about you.
Most people don't know that not only was I raised on R&B music, but I actually sing that stuff. There are a handful of people who will sometimes call on me to do backup and I'm always the only white guy. I can dance a little too, but I think the main thing that surprises people is that I riff.

Interviewed by Joel Murphy, February 2008. The fifth and final season of The Wire airs Sunday nights on HBO.