Law & Order is one of the longest-lasting series in television history, spanning 20 years from 1990-2010. While popular crime dramas come before it, Law & Order made a name for itself by the realistic portrayals of its characters. None of the characters had the perfect jaws or the name recognition that television shows usually use to attract viewers.
It was meant to look like the everyday man's show with characters fans wouldn't be shocked to see on the streets of New York. This attempt at story-driven, instead of actor-driven drama, appealed to many and it was rewarded with countless awards and 6 spin-offs to date.
Lieutenant Anita Van Buren's Wig
An interesting fact about Lieutenant Anita Van Buren is that her hair isn't her hair. The actress that plays the character Anita Van Buren wears her hair in interlocks, which goes against regulation standards for the NYPD.
So, as a means of staying true to the realism of what goes on by NYPD standards, S. Epatha Merkerson concluded that a wig was the best solution. Her wig attempt seemed to pay off as few fans ever even noticed that the hair they saw on her was nothing more than a wig.
Chris Noth Almost Wasn't Cast
Fans of the show probably couldn't imagine anyone but Chris Noth playing Detective Mike Logan but Noth wasn't the only character in the running for the part. Michael Madsen of Reservoir Dogs fame competed with Noth for the part.
Madsen supposedly had the role almost sewn up until the last reading where his mannerisms became a little too repetitive for the network. Noth also had the Irish American everyday working man look that appealed to the show's creator. Plus, they weren't looking for a popular Hollywood face to fill the role.
Paul Robinette and Jamie Ross Both Played Two Roles
This might surprise fans who are not familiar with crime dramas, especially crime dramas that stay on the air for well over a decade but it isn't unheard of for actors or actresses to have a guest appearance on the show only to return a few seasons later as someone completely different.
Paul Robinette and Jamie Ross both played Assistant District Attorneys in earlier seasons only to return later as Defense Attorneys. Apparently, the show's creator believed fans have a short memory and wouldn't notice the change of occupations of these former characters.
Detective Logan's Brown Leather Jacket
There are television series where the wardrobe department works overtime to create or find fantastic clothing for the actors and actresses on the show to wear. It is an important job, as what the characters wear sometimes defines who they are or who they are trying to be in the series or movie.
That said, Detective Logan's brown leather jacket that showed up on numerous episodes of the show was not provided by Law & Order's wardrobe department but, instead, by Noth himself, buying the jacket at a second-hand store in New York City.
Regulars Who Had Made Past Guest Appearances On The Show
Fans just naturally gravitate towards some characters, whether it is because of the actual character on the show or the actor or actress who plays that particular role. Law & Order had many regulars on the show just start out having guest appearances as a means of gauging fans' interest in the character.
Some of the actors and actresses called back to reprise their roles include S. Epatha Merkerson, Jerry Orbach, and Annie Parisse. While Jesse L. Martin was hired to play a small character role in the show but later turned it down.
NBC Was Going To Cancel The Show Unless It Created A More Diversified Cast
NBC threatened to cancel Law & Order because of Dick Wolf, the show's creator's casting choices. The network felt that women and minority characters were overlooked for the traditional white characters. To remedy this problem and to please NBC executives, Wolf created the character Dr. Elizabeth Olivet and added her as a show regular.
Olivet, who is played by actress Carolyn McCormick, is a clinical psychologist and grief counselor who works with the District Attorney's office along with the NYPD. Over the years, the show and later spin-offs became more diversified, ending any casting criticism that might come about.
Jill Hennessy's Twin Sister Stood In For Her During Courtroom Scenes
Probably one of the more interesting tidbits about Law & Order is that assistant district attorney Claire Kincaid was played by two different characters. In 1993, the actress who plays Claire Kincaid, Jill Hennessy was unavailable to film specific scenes because of a prior engagement filming Homicide: Life on the Street.
So her sister Jacqueline was hired to fill in for her during the courtroom scenes of specific episodes during the season. Once filming of the movie was complete, Jill returned to her role where she remained until leaving the show in 1996.
S. Epatha Merkerson Played A Victim Before Receiving Her Main Role In The Series
It seems to be a recurring theme when it comes to Law & Order that some characters are allowed to play separate parts at different intervals on the show. S. Epatha Merkerson's first appearance on the show was as Denise Winters, a mother of an infant killed by a drug dealer in season 1.
In season 4, S. Epatha Merkerson returned to Law & Order but not as Denise Winters but, instead, as Lieutenant Anita Van Buren. She soon became a fan favorite reprising her role for over 390 episodes.
Lennie Briscoe Was Written Off Show Due to Real-Life Actor's Death
Jerry Orbach starred as the iconic detective Lennie Briscoe for twelve seasons on Law & Order, until his untimely death from prostate cancer in 2004. Orbach was first diagnosed with prostate cancer in 1994 but due to hormone therapy and later chemotherapy, he was able to control the disease.
A year before his death, Orbach even signed on to continue playing Lennie Briscoe on the Law & Order spin-off Law & Order: Trial By Jury. Sadly, in 2004 it was learned that his cancer had spread. His character was written off the show after his death.
LGBTQ Backlash After Character Suddenly Reveals She Is A Lesbian
The original Law & Order wasn't exactly known for fleshing out the backstories of their main characters. Unless doing so played a relevant part in the story. However, when the character Serena Southerlyn comes out as a lesbian in her last scene when asking if her sexual orientation was why she was fired.
Fans were utterly shocked by this revelation but some LGBTQ advocates and newspapers were quite offended by her coming out in such a manner, believing the show's creators only used her sexual orientation for shock value and nothing more.