Exclusive: On the Set of “Law & Order”

On the field report by: Stephanie Sigafoos

Over the last few years NBC’s Law & Order has bounced around the network’s lineup like its cast members are made from some form of hard, vulcanized rubber. Yet, one thing remains clearly obvious – fans still love the venerable crime drama, now in its 20^th season and tied for the longest running primetime drama in American television history.

Filmed entirely in New York (as it has been throughout its history), no other show on TV has seen its ranks thinned and replenished more often. Yet Law & Order has never wavered from the formula that made it successful in looking at crime and justice from a dual perspective.

Last week three of the show’s newer cast members – Anthony Anderson, Alana De La Garza and Jeremy Sisto – held court on the show’s soundstage at Chelsea Piers for an intimate Q&A session and set tour attended by bloggers and other media professionals.  The trio spoke about everything from what it means to be part of the 20^th season to how they feel about the show’s current timeslot.

“We just recently did a photo shoot where we got to meet a lot of the past cast members,” said De La Garza, who plays Assistant DA Connie Rubirosa. “I grew up watching Angie Harmon, I think when I was in high school, and she rocked. To be part of it is special and something to be proud of.”

Anderson, who plays Detective Kevin Bernard, also chimed in by noting, “The way television viewership is changing and has changed, I believe this is a milestone that no other show will reach after we break and set this new record (passing Gunsmoke, which also ran for 20 seasons).

“It feels great to be a part of that, and then to work with such a great cast and to be part of an institution like Law & Order at 20 years. Some of the best actors out of L.A. and New York have cut their teeth on this show. It’s really high school, college, undergrad and grad school for actors in this industry and in this city in particular.”

The actors also showed their playful side throughout the Q&A, reminiscing about roles they held on other shows (Sisto is still remembered fondly from his role as Elton in Clueless), while Anderson addressed rumors regarding the return of Benjamin Bratt to the Law & Order family.

“When we hear things like that, that means somebody may lose their job so we’re not too happy about it,” he joked, which drew laughter from the room. “You’re talking about an old character coming back to the show and we’re still up in the air about who may be getting cut.”

Sisto, who plays Detective Cyrus Lupo, offered a bit of inside info when he added, “It may have something to do with his (Bratt’s) relationship with Van Buren and her sickness … and that’s all I know.”

Following the sit down the cast also conducted a tour of the set, showing off the courtroom, its famed exterior and the notorious Riker’s Island interview room and holding cells so often seen on the show.

Law & Order is currently part of NBC’s Friday night lineup and airs at 8 p.m. EST. While the actors didn’t hold back in expressing that the show was suited for a later timeslot, they were also quick to point out that no matter where and when the drama airs, the fans are sure to follow.

For more on the show (including behind-the-scenes videos from the set visit) visit www.nbc.com/Law_and_Order/ and make sure you check out Friday’s all-new back-to-back episodes.

Photos taken by TVDoneWright.com writer Stephanie Sigafoos.

On the set of NBC's Law & Order

Inside the courtroom on the set of Law & Order

The cast of Law & Order

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Posted by Adam Wright on November 5, 2009. Filed under Features. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can leave a response or trackback to this entry