I have had the privilege of observing some truly remarkable actors and their journeys through the Dick Wolf universe. Each one of these individuals has left an indelible mark on the shows that have made up this expansive franchise.
Since the debut of “Law & Order” on NBC in 1990, this franchise has grown tremendously, encompassing six series and boasting over a thousand episodes collectively. Consequently, several actors who later achieved iconic status within the franchise or went on to enjoy successful careers outside of it have graced our screens as multiple characters. Here are some of the most prominent examples:
Kelli Giddish
Kelli Giddish is well-known for portraying the recurring character of Detective Amanda Rollins on “Law & Order: SVU” from 2011 to 2023. She also brought this role to “Law & Order” and “Law & Order: Organized Crime” for crossover episodes. Her initial appearance in the franchise was as Kara Bawson in a Season 8 episode of “SVU,” which aired in early 2007, followed by her portrayal of Dana Stipe in a Season 7 episode of “Law & Order: Criminal Intent,” which premiered in late 2007.
Peter Scanavino
Since 2014, Peter Scanavino has portrayed Detective-turned-ADA Carisi on “Law & Order: SVU.” However, his acting career in the “Law & Order” franchise began earlier – he first appeared as Robert Hassel in the first season of “Trial by Jury” in 2005. Later that same year, he joined the cast of “Criminal Intent” as Johnny Feist. Before taking on the role of Carisi, Scanavino made a pre-2014 appearance on “SVU,” playing the character Johnny Dubcek.
Camryn Manheim
Camryn Manheim joined the “Law & Order” franchise as a series regular beginning with its revival in 2022, where she played Lieutenant Kate Dixon for three seasons. Prior to this role, Manheim had portrayed four different characters on the show: Leila in Season 1 (1991), Martha Rollins in Season 3 (1993), and Beatrice Hines in Season 4 (1994).
Diane Neal
In the fifth season of SVU, which aired in 2003, Diane Neal became a regular cast member, portraying ADA Casey Novak. By the time she left the show in 2012, she had appeared in more episodes than any other Law & Order cast members. However, her first appearance on the show was actually in the third season, back in 2001, where she played the role of Amelia Chase.
Raúl Esparza
Raúl Esparza is widely recognized by “SVU” franchise enthusiasts for his portrayal of ADA Rafael Barba, which lasted over 100 episodes from 2012 to 2022 and included appearances in the “SVU” and “Organized Crime” two-parter. However, before assuming this role, Esparza made appearances in other Law & Order series. In 2009, he played Kevin Mulrooney in an episode of “Criminal Intent,” and in 2010, he portrayed Dennis Di Palma in a “Law & Order” installment.
Mehcad Brooks
Mehcad Brooks began portraying Detective Jalen Shaw on “Law & Order” towards the end of 2022. He took over from Anthony Anderson’s character, Kevin Bernard. However, his connection to the franchise dates back to 2011 when he acted as Prince Miller in an episode of “SVU.”
Jeremy Sisto
I’m a big fan of Jeremy Sisto, and while he currently shines as Jubal Valentine across CBS’ three FBI shows in Dick Wolf’s TV universe, let me take you back to his earlier days. Before the shows were canceled and later revived, I watched him as a series regular on Law & Order, portraying Detective Cyrus Lupo starting from Season 17 in 2007. In that season, I first saw him bring Clint Glover to life on the show.
S. Epatha Merkerson
Over the past decade, S. Epatha Merkerson has become a familiar face on NBC’s “One Chicago,” primarily due to her role in “Chicago Med.” However, it’s important to note that she has an impressive television history, with nearly 400 episodes under her belt from her time on “Law & Order.” Her tenure on the show spanned from 1991 to 2010. Merkerson made her debut on the series in its initial season, portraying Mrs. Denise Winters.
Jerry Orbach
Jerry Orbach’s character, Lennie Briscoe, is undeniably one of the most memorable detectives in the “Law & Order” franchise, appearing in approximately 300 episodes on “Law & Order” and a few more on “SVU” and “Criminal Intent” from 1991 to 2004. However, his first appearance was actually as Defense Attorney Frank Lehrman in the second episode of “Law & Order’s” second season.
Kevin Kane
Kevin Kane has been upgraded to a permanent role on “SVU” for Season 26, playing the character of Detective Terry Bruno, which he introduced in Season 24. Prior to this promotion, he had recurring roles on the show, including Detective Scott Ryland in Season 9 (2008), Officer Greg Wilcox in Season 13 (2012), Major Bowman in Season 17 (2016), and Gary Kent in Season 20 (2018). Additionally, he made appearances in two episodes of “Law & Order,” portraying Matt Preminger in Season 12 (2002) and a uniformed cop in Season 16 (2005).
Jeffrey Donovan
Jeffrey Donovan played a significant role in the 2022 comeback of “Law & Order,” portraying Detective Frank Cosgrove. Previously, viewers had seen him in other parts within the show – initially as Eddie Nicodos in Season 6 back in 1995, and later on as Jacob Reese in Season 17 during the year 2007.
Anthony Anderson
Anthony Anderson acted out the character of Detective Kevin Bernard during the final three seasons of the initial broadcast of “Law & Order,” which took place from 2008 to 2010. Later, in 2022, he returned to this role in the show’s revival for a single season. Prior to these appearances, Anderson brought Detective Lucius Blaine to life in a notable episode of “Law & Order: SVU” during Season 7 in the year 2006.
Tony Goldwyn
In the second part of Season 23 in 2024, “Law & Order” welcomed Tony Goldwyn as the new District Attorney, Nicholas Baxter, taking over from Sam Waterston’s character, Jack McCoy. However, this wasn’t Goldwyn’s first appearance in the franchise. He previously starred in four episodes of “Criminal Intent” during seasons 6 and 7, from 2007 to 2008, under a different character name, Frank Gorden.
Rick Gonzalez
Prior to joining the Arrowverse, Rick Gonzalez made an appearance as Alfonso Cardenas during the initial season of Law & Order: SVU, which aired in 2000. Recently, over two decades later, he revisited the franchise and took on the role of Detective Bobby Reyes for Law & Order: Organized Crime, debuting in 2022.
Dean Norris
Dean Norris began playing the significant part of Randall Stabler in the fourth season of “Law & Order: Organized Crime,” marking the first screen appearance of Elliot Stabler’s siblings in the franchise. This was a departure from his earlier cameo over ten years ago, which took place in the finale of “Law & Order: LA,” where he portrayed Bob Kentner.
Betty Buckley
Betty Buckley is well-known for her iconic roles on Broadway. However, she found time to take on two distinct characters in “Law & Order: SVU” throughout the years. From Seasons 7 to 10, Buckley made recurring appearances as Attorney Walsh. Subsequently, starting from Season 23, she joined the cast as Trial Division Chief Lorraine Maxwell and carried on with this role into Season 24.
Michael Trotter
I was thrilled when Michael Trotter joined the cast of “Law & Order: Organized Crime” in Season 4 as the youngest Stabler brother. Prior to his debut on OC in 2024, I had the pleasure of seeing him in action as Teddy Muncy in an episode of “Law & Order: SVU” during Season 24 the year before. It’s a fun connection to note that he’s married to a former regular of “SVU,” Jamie Gray Hyder.
Pedro Pascal
Pedro Pascal has gained significant recognition in television currently through his starring roles in “The Mandalorian” and “The Last of Us.” However, before reaching this level of fame, he appeared on various episodes of the “Law & Order” series. In 2008, he portrayed Tito Cabassa on an episode of “Law & Order,” and joined “Law & Order: Criminal Intent” to play Reggie Luckman in Season 6 and Kip Green in Season 8. Additionally, Pascal made a guest appearance on “Law & Order: Special Victims Unit” as Agent Greer during Season 12.
Bradley Whitford
After wrapping up my time on “The West Wing,” I hopped over to join the cast of “Law & Order: LA” for one season in 2011, playing the role of Attorney Miklin. However, my stints on “SVU” left a bigger impact. I first appeared as a criminal named Frank Maddox in Season 15 back in 2014. Later, in 2023, I returned for an episode in Season 24 to portray the ailing husband of a victim, with Mariska Hargitay directing.
Sarah Hyland
Before joining the cast of “Modern Family” as Haley Dunphy, Sarah Hyland made appearances in three distinct TV series under various characters. Her earliest role was as Lily Ramsey in the premiere episode of “Law & Order: Special Victims Unit” (SVU) in 2001. Subsequently, she portrayed Kristine McLean in Season 15 of “Law & Order” in 2004. Following that, Sarah appeared as Brianne Colby in the first season of “Trial by Jury” in 2005. Lastly, she reprised her role as Jennifer Banks in SVU’s Season 10 in 2009.
Cynthia Nixon
In 2007, Cynthia Nixon received an Emmy Award for Outstanding Guest Actress in a Drama Series for her portrayal of Janis Donovan on the Season 9 premiere of “SVU.” She had previously appeared as different characters in the “Law & Order” franchise. The first was Laura Di Biasi in the initial season in 1990, and later, she played Amanda Rollins on “Criminal Intent” during its tenth season in 2011.
Ellen Pompeo
Prior to securing her iconic part as Meredith Grey on “Grey’s Anatomy,” Ellen Pompeo made appearances as two distinct characters on “Law & Order.” In the sixth season, back in 1996, she portrayed Jenna Weber. Later, in the tenth season that aired in 2000, she brought Laura Kendrick to life.
David Harbour
Before becoming a cast member of “Stranger Things,” David Harbour acted out five distinct roles in Dick Wolf’s television series. The first was Mike in a 1999 episode of “Law & Order.” Next, he portrayed Terry Jessup in the fourth season’s finale of “SVU” in 2002. After that, he appeared as Wesley John Kenderson in “Criminal Intent” during Season 4 in 2008. Subsequently, he joined the cast of “Law & Order” once more, playing Jay Carlin in Season 18 also in 2008. Lastly, he took on the character of Paul Devildis in “Criminal Intent” during Season 8 in 2009.
Paget Brewster
Paget Brewster appeared in multiple crime procedural shows on different networks, including “Law & Order: SVU.” She made her first appearance in 2007, playing the role of Sheila Tierney in a single episode during Season 8. Later, she returned for two episodes in 2012, portraying the character Bureau Chief Paula Foster.
Allison Janney
Prior to her Emmy victory for “The West Wing” in the year 2000, Allison Janney had previously acted on “Law & Order” numerous times during the ’90s. Her initial appearance was portraying Nora in the second season back in 1992, and she later appeared as Ann Madsen in the fourth season in 1994.
Jeremy Allen White
Before becoming a regular on “Shameless” and over ten years before his role in “The Bear,” Jeremy Allen White made appearances on “Law & Order” as different characters. He first appeared as Jeremy in 2007, followed by Andy Steel in 2008. In 2010, he joined “SVU” to portray Michael Parisi during Season 11.
Paul Wesley
Before making his debut as a Salvatore brother on “The Vampire Diaries,” Paul Wesley secured roles in various shows. In the year 2000, he appeared as Danny Burrell in the premiere episode of “SVU” (Season 2). Following this, he joined “Law & Order: Criminal Intent” in 2002 and played Luke Miller during Season 2. Later, Wesley returned to “SVU” in 2005 and portrayed Luke Breslin in an early episode of Season 7.
Hayden Panettiere
Although Hayden Panettiere is best known for her roles in “Heroes” and “Nashville,” she made appearances in two episodes of “SVU” earlier in her career. In the first episode from Season 2 in 2001, she portrayed Ashley Austin Black. Later, in Season 6 in 2005, she reappeared to play the character Angela Agnelli.
Pablo Schreiber
Pablo Schreiber is best known for his role as William Lewis on “SVU” from seasons 14-15, but he had other appearances on “Law & Order” and “Criminal Intent” before that. For instance, he portrayed Dan Kozlowski in an “SVU” episode back in 2007. Additionally, he acted as Sean Hauser in season 16 and Kevin Boatman in season 19 of “Law & Order,” and TJ Hawkins and Ed Lang in seasons 4 and 7 of “Criminal Intent.”
Ann Dowd
Ann Dowd, famous for “The Handmaid’s Tale,” has a remarkable acting history within the Dick Wolf franchise. Across various shows like “Law & Order,” “Criminal Intent,” “Trial by Jury,” and “SVU,” she brought to life multiple characters: Teresa Franz (Season 1), Dorothy Baxter (Season 4), Patricia Smith (Season 6), Dr. Beth Allison (Season 14), Laurie Manotti (Season 4 of “Criminal Intent”), Karen Ames (Season 1 of “Trial by Jury”), Louise Durning (Season 2), Sally Wilkens (Season 4), and Lillian Siefeld (Season 10. )
Chandra Wilson
Chandra Wilson, who later became a notable cast member on “Grey’s Anatomy,” joined the “Law & Order” series in 1992 for its second season, portraying Serena Price. In the following years, she made appearances on “SVU” starting with Season 4 in the role of Nurse Jenkins. Later, she reappeared as Rachel Sorannis in Season 7, which was in 2005.
Elizabeth Mitchell
In two noteworthy appearances on “Law & Order: SVU,” actress Elizabeth Mitchell was featured. The first time was in the role of Andrea Brown during a 2003 episode from Season 4. A decade later, in 2011, she reappeared as June Frye in an installment from Season 12.
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2024-07-29 14:04