Will Legislation & Order ever finish? We wager nobody desires that to occur. The police procedural was just lately renewed for its twenty-fifth season, and followers can’t wait to see what extra is in retailer for them. The present premiered on September 13, 1990, and accomplished its authentic run (twentieth season) on Could 24, 2010. On September 28, 2021, after a prolonged 11-year hiatus, NBC introduced that it might be revived for brand new seasons. It now continues to be the flagship present of Dick Wolf’s Universe, even with the presence of equally widespread reveals like Legislation & Order: SVU.
Hundreds of episodes of Legislation & Order and its spinoffs have aired thus far, and since every episode offers with a brand new case, the producers have needed to depend on a large pool of actors. Unsurprisingly, some huge names discovered themselves in the midst of these fascinating felony circumstances sooner or later. Some appeared within the franchise throughout the earliest phases of their careers, whereas others confirmed up once they had already established themselves as main stars.
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Sebastian Stan
‘Legislation & Order’ Season 3, Episode 22 – “Sheltered”
Sebastian Stan reduce his tooth within the widespread CW sequence, Gossip Woman, earlier than discovering main success within the Marvel Cinematic Universe by enjoying Bucky Barnes, aka, The Winter Soldier. It continues to be his most celebrated function at present, although he arguably did higher work enjoying a younger Donald Trump in The Apprentice (incomes himself an Oscar nomination), and Mötley Crüe drummer Tommy Lee in Pam & Tommy.
Killing the Unsuitable Individual
Stan starred as Justin Lafferty, a younger spree killer, in Legislation & Order. The character seems within the season 3 episode “Sheltered,” which examines the subjects of Stockholm Syndrome and symbiosis, displaying how simple it’s for a sufferer to develop to like their oppressor. In it, Justin is revealed to have been raised by Capshaw, a former US Military marksman who kidnapped him from his house as a substitute for a kid he had misplaced in a automobile accident. When Capshaw’s employer threatens to fireplace him, Justin kills the boss in order to not lose his guardian.
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Timothée Chalamet
‘Legislation & Order’ Season 19, Episode 10 – “Pledge”
Timothée Chalamet hasn’t regarded again since changing into the third-youngest Finest Actor nominee in historical past. His starring roles in motion pictures resembling Dune and Wonka have continued to push him to higher heights, and so have his private affairs, notably his relationship with Kylie Jenner.
Lengthy-Time Grudges
Chalamet appeared briefly within the season 19 episode “Pledge,” as Eric Foley. By him, the present obtained to deal with the hazards of not all the time being conscious of your youngsters’s whereabouts always. In it, the teen sneaks house early to play Xbox along with his pal, solely to be murdered by the serial killer Edward “Ned” Lasky. The felony commits the grotesque homicide as a strategy to punish Eric’s mom, who was as soon as a sorority president and had prevented him from getting collectively along with his faculty crush.
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Robin Williams
‘Legislation & Order: SVU’ Season 9, Episode 17 – “Authority”
Thought to be one of many biggest actors and comedians, the versatile Robin Williams had many hit motion pictures. From Useless Poets Society to Mrs. Doubtfire, there was by no means a uninteresting second when he was on the display screen. For his work, he received an Oscar, two Emmys, six Golden Globe Awards, and 5 Grammys.
Taking a Break from Hollywood
William’s character, the audio engineer Merritt Rook, will be present in “Authority,” in season 9 of Legislation & Order: SVU. He turns into an anti-authority killer after shedding his spouse and youngster, proving how grief and melancholy, if left unchecked, can flip individuals into monsters. In keeping with William’s pal, Richard Belzer (who performed Detective John Munch), the comic was an enormous fan of the present, so he requested to visitor star. For his efficiency, Williams acquired an Emmy nomination for Excellent Visitor Actor in a Drama Sequence, changing into one of many few forged members to get such an honor.
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Kerry Washington
‘Legislation & Order’ Season 12, Episode 9 – “Three Dawg Evening”
Kerry Washington is finest acknowledged as disaster administration knowledgeable Olivia Pope within the ABC political drama sequence Scandal, a job that earned her two Emmy nominations. She has additionally starred in lots of hit motion pictures, together with The Final King of Scotland, Quentin Tarantino’s Django Unchained, and Tyler Perry’s The Six Triple Eight.
Doing it for Love
Washington tends to make ‘nice’ lovers in motion pictures and TV reveals, and she or he proved it once more in the season 12 episode “Three Dawg Evening” the place she performed Allie, a singer and girlfriend of hip-hop artist Darryl “G-Trane” Collins. Through the episode, Allie shoots an up-and-coming rapper who was disrespecting her boyfriend. He tries to cowl for her, however the police finally uncover that she is the one who did it. The episode dissects the tradition of avenue cred within the Hip Hop group, and the tendency of culprits to get off the hook due to messy testimonies.
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Pedro Pascal
A number of Episodes
In any given period, there emerges an actor who will get to seem in nearly every thing. Pedro Pascal is having fun with such privileges for the time being. From the MCU to Star Wars and The Final of Us, there’s nothing he isn’t doing. However who can dare say that he hasn’t earned it? And he has loads extra tasks lined up.
Ever the Versatile and Hardworking Actor
Pascal truly cameod as 4 completely different characters in three completely different Legislation & Order reveals, highlighting his industriousness, drive, and suppleness. He appeared twice in Legislation & Order: Legal Intent. First as Reggie Luckman (Season 4, episode 20), a person caught within the internet of a felony who manipulates girls to commit crimes, then later because the felony Kevin Inexperienced (season 8, episode 8). He then confirmed up within the authentic Legislation & Order (season 18, episode 10) as Tito Cabassa, a gang member singled out throughout a homicide case involving a teenage lady. Pascal would lastly seem in SVU (season 12, episode 24) as Agent Greer, a corrupt ATF agent who offers a killer with a gun.
5
Colman Domingo
A number of Episodes
The 2020s have been sort to Colman Domingo, with the actor getting two consecutive Oscar nominations in 2024 and 2025, and likewise profitable an Emmy for his efficiency in Euphoria. Moreover, Time Journal named him one of many world’s 100 most influential individuals in 2024.
A 2000s Franchise Common That You’ll Hardly Bear in mind
Within the 2000s, Domingo was nonetheless trying to make it huge as a star, so he took on many supporting roles recurrently. Throughout this era, he had cameos in three completely different Legislation & Order reveals. Within the authentic sequence, he starred within the season 14 episode “Hand’s Free” as a petty thief and the Sseason 19 episode “Sweetie” as a witness. He additionally starred in Legal Intent, first because the lawman Sergeant Ev Sides after which as a physician. In addition to these roles, Domingo starred in “Eros within the Higher Eighties,” a season 13 episode of Trial by Jury as a avenue hoodlum.
4
Zoe Saldaña
A number of Episodes
In 2025, Zoe Saldaña stays one of many world’s most bankable actors, having starred in 4 of the seven highest-grossing movies of all time, together with the highest three on the listing (Avatar, Avatar: The Method of Water, and Avengers: Endgame). Not too long ago, she has additionally grow to be a power within the tv panorama, because of her function within the Taylor Sheridan navy motion sequence, Lioness. In 2023, Time Journal named her one of many 100 most influential individuals on the planet.
A Strong Basis
Saldana’s first-ever performing gig got here within the Legislation & Order season 9 episode, “Refuge,” again in 1999, the place she portrayed a witness. She then appeared within the SVU season 5 episode, “Legal,” because the daughter of a assassin. Her SVU function was extra impactful because it was used to showcase the alternative ways by which relations affect criminals to be remorseful and alter their methods.
3
Ellen Pompeo
A number of Episodes
Ellen Pompeo gained worldwide recognition as Dr. Meredith Gray in Gray’s Anatomy and hasn’t seen any purpose to let go of the function. Why would she try this when the cash is nice? In 2016, she reached a brand new peak, rating fourth on the listing of highest-paid TV actresses by Forbes, and by 2018, she had grow to be the fifth highest-paid actor general with earnings of $23.6 million.
Tapping into Evil
Like Saldana, Pompeo additionally made her display screen debut by guest-starring in Legislation & Order. Within the season 6 episode, “Savior,” she performs Jenna, the mastermind behind the killings of her brother and mom. And within the season 10 episode, “Fools for Love,” she performed Laura, the lover and partner-in-crime of a sadistic killer. These roles are a reminder that Pompeo isn’t all about enjoying a form and bold physician. She will be able to deal with villain roles fairly nicely, too.
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Chadwick Boseman
‘Legislation & Order’ Season 14, Episode 6 – “Can I Get a Witness?”
Relaxation in peace, Chadwick Boseman. After wowing followers along with his performances because the legendary baseball participant Jackie Robinson in 42 and singer James Brown in Get on Up, he turned globally well-known after he was forged as Black Panther within the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Wakanda endlessly! With an Emmy win and an Oscar nomination in his resume, his legacy stays robust.
Boseman as a Villain
Method earlier than he got here near fame, Boseman had a supporting function because the drug vendor, Foster Keyes, within the season 14 episode, “Can I Get a Witness?” Within the episode, Keyes shoots one other man for putting his girlfriend. Boseman might need been good in his later roles, however he’s fairly menacing right here. It’s fascinating watching his character intimidate witnesses into not testifying. However the regulation all the time catches up with individuals, doesn’t it?
1
Idris Elba
‘Legislation & Order’ Season 12, Episode 9 – “Three Dawg Evening”
From superhero motion pictures to award-winning reveals, Idris Elba has finished all of it. Followers adore him as a result of he’s one of many actors who can simply juggle between motion pictures and TV reveals. For his work, he has been nominated for Emmys six instances. He’s additionally one of many 20 highest-grossing film stars ever, as his movies have revamped $9.8 billion on the world field workplace.
The Worry of Testifying
Elba appeared in the identical episode as Kerry Washington. In it, he performs a DJ and a witness to the taking pictures. The function was a reminder of one other difficult side of the justice system, the place the willingness of individuals to testify all the time relies on the suspect’s status. After his work on the favored police procedural, he would go on to seem in a couple of different crime-themed reveals, together with The Wire and CSI: Miami.