David Simon has hired three former collaborators for his new HBO pilot Treme.

Wendell Pierce and Clarke Peters, both cast members of Simon's Baltimore-set drama The Wire, along with The Corner's Khandi Alexander are closing negotiations to star in the show.

Treme, created by Simon and Eric Overmyer, takes place in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina and shows the rebuilding of New Orleans from the perspective of local musicians.

Pierce has been cast as a jazz trombonist who is struggling to support his family and wife (played by Alexander). Peters's role is that of a White Feather Nation chief trying to bring home his tribe.