Law & Order: Full list of cast in the series

Law & Order is a famous American cop show that started back in 1990 on NBC. It ran for 23 seasons before wrapping up in 2010, with a whopping 501 episodes. It was made by Dick Wolf and produced by Wolf Entertainment and Universal Television.

Each episode ran for about 40-48 minutes and had a two-part setup - the first half focused on cops solving a crime based on real stories, and the second half depicted the legal side of the cases. The show's realistic portrayal of the NYC justice system made it a hit, leading to many spin-offs.

Some fan-favorite main cast members from Law & Order include Jerry Orbach, S. Epatha Merkerson, and Sam Waterston. Its lasting popularity and impact on crime dramas show how it stood out for its unique storytelling and dedication to realism, while also tackling tough moral and ethical issues.

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Cast of Law & Order TV series

Detectives

1. George Dzundza as Sergeant Max Greevey (season 1) - George played the first lead detective on the show, Max, who established the police procedural format.
2. Chris Noth as Detective Mike Logan (seasons 1-5, exiled) - Mike was known for his aggressive interrogation tactics and clashes with superiors.
3. Jerry Orbach as Detective Lennie Briscoe (seasons 3-14, exiled) - The longest-serving detective, Lennie, was characterized by his cynical wit and world-weary demeanor.
4. Benjamin Bratt as Detective Rey Curtis (seasons 6-9) - He replaced Briscoe, and had a strong moral compass and family life.
5. Jesse L. Martin as Detective Ed Green (seasons 10-18) - Briscoe's long-time partner, who was known for his street smarts and loyalty.
6. Anthony Anderson as Detective Kevin Bernard (seasons 18-21) - Green's replacement who was ambitious and intelligent.
7. Jeffrey Donovan as Detective Frank Cosgrove (seasons 21-22) - Bernard's partner who stood out for his gruff personality.
8. Mehcad Brooks as Detective Jalen Shaw (seasons 22-present) - The current lead detective, known for his compassion and commitment to justice.
9. Reid Scott as Detective Vincent Riley (season 23-present) - Shaw's partner with an analytical approach.

Prosecutors

1. Michael Moriarty as Executive ADA Ben Stone (seasons 1-4) - The first lead prosecutor, characterized by his idealism and by-the-book approach.
2. Sam Waterston as EADA/DA Jack McCoy (from season 5 to 23, exiled) - The longest-serving prosecutor, known for his cunning tactics and willingness to bend the rules.
3. Linus Roache as EADA Michael Cutter (from season 18 to 21) - McCoy's protégé who had an aggressive style and political ambition.
4. Hugh Dancy as EADA Nolan Price (Season 21-present) - The current lead prosecutor, acknowleged for his integrity and commitment to the law.

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Other main cast of Law & Order

The Law & Order series had a big group of actors who came and went over its 23 seasons. The mainstays were Jerry Orbach, S. Epatha Merkerson, and Sam Waterston.

The other recurring cast members included:

1. Dann Florek as Captain Donald Cragen (seasons 1-3, 5, 10, 15) - The first precinct commander, known for his paternal leadership style.
2. S. Epatha Merkerson as Lieutenant Anita Van Buren (seasons 4-20, exiled) - The longest-serving commanding officer with no-nonsense approach. She always supported her detectives.
3. Camryn Manheim as Lieutenant Kate Dixon (seasons 21-23) - Van Buren's replacement, known for her progressive views and support for her squad.

These characters stood out for their personalities, conversations, and commitment to doing what's right. With a rotating cast, the show mixed things up and kept things interesting as it went on.

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The original Law & Order series can be streamed on Peacock, FuboTV, NBC, and USA Network.