NBC’s “Law & Order” probably is known as much for its numerous cast changes as it is for its high-quality acting and writing.
Every season since the cops-and-prosecutors show premiered in 1990, there has been at least one substitution of a main character on the series. It started after its first season, with the departure of George Dzundza as New York Police Detective Max Greevey. Paul Sorvino was Dzundza’s replacement in the role of Detective Phil Cerreta, but he left early in the third season.
Dann Florek (Capt. Donald Cragen) was then replaced by S. Epatha Merkerson (Lt. Anita Van Buren), and Richard Brooks (Assistant District Atty. Paul Robinette) was replaced by Jill Hennessy (as Claire Kincaid). Carey Lowell is the current assistant district attorney, Jamie Ross.
Carolyn McCormick was added in 1991 as police psychiatrist Elizabeth Olivet, but she left in 1994. She has made guest appearances since then.
“Law and Order’s” biggest losses were Michael Moriarty as Assistant District Atty. Ben Stone, who left in 1994 (his place currently is occupied by Sam Waterston as Jack McCoy), and Christopher Noth as Detective Mike Logan, who split the following year (he was replaced by Benjamin Bratt as Detective Reynaldo Curtis).
Steven Hill as District Atty. Adam Schiff is the only original cast member left.
There are many reasons for the various cast changes. Some left by choice, others were let go by executive producer Dick Wolf.
In any case, “Law & Order” will make history this season when it goes into its eighth year without a single cast change.
“I hope it doesn’t change our luck,” laughed Jerry Orbach (Detective Lennie Briscoe), who replaced Sorvino in 1992.
Though it is one of the best dramas on television, with its history, “Law & Order” may not be the most secure place to work. That doesn’t bother Orbach.
“It’s a funny thing. I’ve never worried about job security because I’ve never had security my whole life,” said the 45-year acting veteran, who was born in New York but raised in Waukegan. “As an actor, you’re always looking for your next job. But I certainly don’t worry about it on `Law & Order.’ “
Orbach’s comfort level came after his first year on the show, when demographic surveys were taken on the popularity of the characters. “They said I was the favorite one on the show,” he said.
“I said, `Really? Not Michael Moriarty?’ They said, `No, they like you.’ I said great. As long as the network and Dick Wolf know that, I think they’ll keep me around for a while.”
Orbach, best known for his roles in the movies “Dirty Dancing” and “Prince of the City,” said the revolving door of regulars on the show (airing at 9 p.m. Wednesdays on WMAQ-Ch. 5) hasn’t necessarily been a bad thing.
“All the cast changes over the years have been very good for the show,” he said. “They’ve given it a lot of variety. And that’s the way things are in life.” He added that regardless of the changes in actors, “as long as the writing stays at the high quality that it’s been, that’s what keeps the show where it is.”
Orbach, who graduated as a theater major from Northwestern University in 1956, offered a reason as to why the writing stays so fresh. Executive producer Ed Sherin adopts a process used by situation comedies, where the cast sits down before filming starts in New York and runs through the episode’s script. Input is given by the actors, director, writers, producers and others, and flaws are smoothed out. The writer then incorporates the changes.
“We never get into the situation where the cameras are rolling and we’re saying, `Aw, waitaminute! What if . . .’ We don’t get into that, because we get that out of the way,” he said.
Orbach said stories this year include another crossover story arc with NBC’s “Homicide: Life on the Street,” and a story line mirroring the JonBenet Ramsey murder, in keeping with the series’ premise of episodes based on current headlines.
“I think we try to be as realistic as we can and as true to what really happens as we can,” he said. “We don’t get into a lot of soap opera elements.”
And yet, not seeing the private sides of the characters is “very difficult for us” as actors trying to add depth to their characters, he admitted.
“When Chris Noth was leaving the show, I said, `Can we have him die in my arms so I can cry a little bit and get an Emmy nomination?’ ” Orbach laughed. He cheerfully added how happy he was that “my pal” Waterston was nominated a few weeks ago.
“My awards are when people like it and the cops on the street say to me, `Keep making us look good,’ ” Orbach said. “That’s all I care about. That, and the money.”
