With the news that Law & Order: Organized Crime. So who can viewers expect to recognize?
The original Law & Order debuted in 1990 with a fresh new approach to criminal justice dramas. Each episode was divided roughly in half, with the first half highlighting the police work that went into catching a criminal, and the second half focusing on the prosecution in court of that crime. The series was widely popular, resulting in six spinoffs, another proposed in the future, and thirteen related television properties that take place in the same world. The franchise has often drawn from true crime details to examine the criminal justice system, and changed the way viewers understand the legal system in America.
The original series, which has only been sured by its own spinoff, Law & Order: SVU, for longest-running television drama, was the launching point for many acting careers and has defined many careers, as well. And while many new faces will be ing the cast, such as actors Hugh Dancy, Jeffrey Donovan, and Odelya Halevi, some of the old favorites will be returning, as well.
Sam Waterston as District Attorney Jack McCoy
Veteran actor Sam Waterston will return as Jack McCoy, one of the most recognizable faces in the Law & Order franchise. McCoy, who was first an assistant DA before taking over as District Attorney, was a regular on the series from 1994 to 2010. His tendency to bend the rules and use unconventional tactics won him many fans throughout his tenure on the show, and long-time viewers should be rewarded with more of Waterston's classic McCoy moments.
Anthony Anderson as Detective Kevin Bernard
actor and executive producer, Anthony Anderson, will reprise his role as Detective Kevin Bernard, who he played for more than two seasons near the end of Law & Order's original run. The comedian originally played an internal affairs investigator, but ed the main cast after series regular, Jesse L. Martin, left the show. Because Anderson's time on the show was rather short, viewers can expect to learn more about his character as he adjusts to new partnerships.
Camryn Manheim as Lt. Kate Dixon
Camryn Manheim is no stranger to the Law & Order franchise, even if she will be playing a new character. The award-winning actress, famous for her role as Ellenor Frutt in the American comedy-drama Ally McBeal, The Practice, and Boston Public, appeared in three different episodes of Law & Order, as three unrelated characters. Manheim will take on the role of NYPD Lieutenant Kate Dixon. This is a new character for the revival, but with Manheim's familiarity with both legal dramas and the Law & Order franchise in particular, viewers can expect good things.
Unconfirmed Cameos and Crossovers
While most of the news out of the Law & Order revival has been kept fairly quiet, Dick Wolf and the Law & Order team have a long history of crossovers and cameos that intermingle their many properties. Because Chicago Med, which could mean the potential for Law & Order crossovers there, as well.
The 21st season of Law & Order premiers Thursday, February 24th on NBC at 8:00 p.m.
