In September 1990, the series Law and Order started on the American NBC channel, the actors of which, one might say, woke up famous, and the project itself acquired the status of a cult. The screensaver, which was read by Stephen Zirnkilton, became familiar to many. This is a story about two cornerstones of the judicial system representing the prosecution - the prosecutor's office and the police. Their actions are equal in value, but not always the same. For almost twenty years of its existence, the series has won millions of fans around the world. What is the secret of his success? Judge for yourself, and we will only talk about the plot and the actors.
What is the series about?
It is mainly about a team of detectives who work in the "slaughter" New York City police department and prosecutors who represent the prosecution in court. The series "Law and Order", the actors and roles in which are selected very harmoniously, offers the viewer stories based on real events. The plot was based on processes from the judicial practice of American courts. Each series consists of two logical parts: an investigation conducted by a group of police officers, and a trial. In terms of meaning and manner of presentation of the material on the screen, the series is largely reminiscent of a documentary project, but at the same time it retains the elements of the show, in which the images of the main characters, their fates, and characters are revealed.
History of creation
What can a detective series be based on? Of course, on the real story of the crime. The project “Law and Order” (actors and characters hereinafter), the idea of creating which belongs to Dick Wulf, is no exception. In the late 80s, he was developing the concept of a new television project on the law enforcement system of America. He was inspired by the story of serial killer Robert Chambers, who strangled a woman in Central Park.
The creators of the series decided to use in-kind shooting, which took place on the streets of the city. The popularity of the project led to the creation of a feature film, several franchises, a series of computer games, and also served as the basis for the creation of such tapes in other countries, including Russia. The first central characters were detectives Mike Logan and Max Grivy. We can say that they stood at the origins of the series Law and Order. Actors (photo below), however, did not work together for long, the performer of the role of Max Grivi - George Junda at the end of the first season, the project left and was replaced.
Detective Mike Logan - Chris Noth
The character (the third in the photo) appears on the screen in the first episode. In addition to the fact that he works in the “slaughter” department and is the partner of Max Grivi, little is known about him, the facts from the biography begin to be clarified gradually, as the plot develops. He has Irish roots, grew up in a dysfunctional family, worked as a taxi driver to pay for college. Logan is a workaholic who loves his job wholeheartedly. In personal life, everything is far from smooth.
From the series Law and Order, actors known to the modern audience began their careers and gained popularity. Among them is the performer of the role of Logan - Chris Noth, also known for his role in the project “Sex and the City”. His character is controversial, young and very expressive.
Detective companions
It so happened that something happens to Mike Logan’s partners. So, the first of them, Max Grivi (played by George Junda) dies at the end of the first season. He is replaced by actor Paul Sorvino and his character sergeant Phil Seretta. He stayed in the project until 4 seasons. The third partner was Lenny Briscoe. His role was played by the famous American actor Jerry Orbach (pictured), who received the award for the American Screen Actors Guild for her. They, along with Chris Noth, became the face of the project. It should be noted that one of the main advantages of the series "Law and Order" is the actors who created realistic, charismatic and multifaceted images of detectives on the screen, sometimes working on the verge of breaking the law, but only with the aim of restoring justice.
Captain Donald Craigan - Dann Florek
One of the main characters in the series is the captain of the murder department. His personality is also very ambiguous. He is an old-fashioned policeman and a supporter of the classic methods of investigating a crime, but his detectives allow some liberties. Dann Florek participated on an ongoing basis in the project for the first three seasons. He was removed, mainly due to the fact that the series required more female images. However, in 1999 he returned and participated in more than 400 episodes in total.
Lieutenant Anita Van Buren - S. Epata Merkeson
The character replaced the captain of the police Craigan and ranks second in terms of length of stay in the project "Law and Order." The actors in it changed quite often, and this gave it more realism, proximity to life. The character of the American theater, film and television actress S. Epata Merkeson appears in 390 episodes. The police lieutenant has a tough and strong-willed character, which sometimes becomes the cause of many troubles. Over the years of service, she has undergone many trials, including the threat of removal from service as a result of litigation.
District Attorney Jack McCoy - Sam Waterston
One of the main characters of the series, which took part in it for 16 years. D. McCoy has an impressive 24 years of experience in his field. Therefore, having received the position of executive assistant to the prosecutor, he quickly adapts and tries to bring innovations into the process that do not always benefit and sometimes cause indignation of judges. His working methods break many investigative rules, they are tough and unprincipled.
It should be noted the dynamism that the series “Law and Order” possesses. Actors and roles in it quickly replaced each other, only the main skeleton was preserved, which was undergoing changes, but not so dramatic. A new round of development of the project begins with the fifth season, when Chris Noth leaves it. Instead of the detective, the audience loves the audience, another comes - Reynald Curtis performed by the American actor Benjamin Brett.
As already mentioned, one of the main advantages (in addition to the plot based on real facts) of the series "Law and Order" is the actors. Many of them became known thanks to the project, for others it became a happy ticket, and for others - an interesting work and one more point in a rich filmography.