Mekhi Phifer is coming to Legislation & Order!
Whereas there’s no phrase but on who he’ll play, TV Line stories that that is doubly thrilling information as a result of he’ll work together with a number of different ER alums, together with Maura Tierney, who performs Jessica Brady, the brand new head of the murder division.
Whereas there’s a particular connection between ER and Dick Wolf Leisure, this isn’t an ER reunion, and Phifer’s visitor position on Legislation & Order is sweet information for a lot extra necessary causes.
The Connection Between Dick Wolf Leisure and ER Defined
Whether or not by coincidence or design, there have been many ER alums who’ve proven up on Dick Wolf reveals.
Most famously, Mariska Hargitay was on ER earlier than touchdown the position of Olivia Benson on Legislation & Order: SVU.
Hargitay performed hospital desk clerk Cynthia Hooper throughout ER’s fourth season, who was airheaded and unqualified for the job.
She additionally had an affair with Mark Greene (the ER model, clearly, not the fool on Days of Our Lives.)
Michael Seaside is one other ER alum who seems usually on Dick Wolf reveals, and Eriq La Salle directs.
Plus, new Chicago Med showrunner Allen MacDonald wrote for ER, which helps clarify why it’s been really easy for him to take over the One Chicago medical drama.
Mehki Phifer Performed Dr. Gregory Pratt On ER
Contemplating the position he performed on ER, Phifer’s look is unquestionably thrilling.
He was within the present for a number of years, enjoying an at-first cocky intern who grew into an achieved physician earlier than his premature dying in an ambulance explosion.
(As a facet word, in case you’re a Chicago Med fan, you may be all in favour of the truth that, like Med’s Archer, Pratt turned in his letter of resignation after being handed over for ED Chief in favor of a younger feminine physician who had simply arrived, however modified his thoughts later.)
Pratt was an attention-grabbing character who began throughout probably the most painful time in ER’s historical past — Dr. Greene’s dying. This allowed Phifer to display his appearing chops instantly. Given his historical past, he’ll possible get a meaty position on Legislation & Order, as nicely.
Nonetheless, it irks me that every one the excitement appears to be about Mekhi Phifer being an ER alum as if his reunion along with his ER forged mates is the one factor that’s necessary about his visitor look.
Mekhi Phifer Is An Achieved Actor Who Shouldn’t Be Recognized With Simply One Position
I’ve to confess that I knew little or no about Mekhi Phifer earlier than studying he was visitor a visitor star on Legislation & Order.
Sadly, what I did know was that he performed an unpopular and annoying character on Torchwood: Miracle Day, which was the BBC’s try to Americanize Torchwood.
I’d like to overlook Phifer’s Torchwood character, who spent ten episodes insisting that everybody was mendacity about Jack Harkness being immortal, solely to unintentionally get the identical superpower on the finish, so the 2 of them have been caught with one another for eternity.
Yuck.
However identical to it could be ridiculous for me to be indignant that Phifer is on Legislation & Order as a result of I hated his character on Torchwood, it’s foolish for folks to be excited merely as a result of he’s reuniting along with his ER alums.
It’s an attention-grabbing coincidence that so many ER stars are popping up on Dick Wolf reveals, particularly Legislation & Order.
Nevertheless, Mekhi Phifer has performed a ton of different roles, and it’s not cool to affiliate him with just one position he performed virtually 20 years in the past.
Mekhi Phifer Has Performed A Huge Number of Roles, So He Might Be Nearly Anyone On Legislation & Order
The cool factor about Phifer becoming a member of Legislation & Order as a visitor star is that he has the appearing chops to play virtually any position.
He’s no stranger to both crime dramas or Dick Wolf reveals, which is a particular bonus.
Phifer performed a gang member on Murder: Life On The Road who set off a warfare by stealing a gun and, in one of many collection’ most pivotal episodes, shot up the squad room whereas underneath arrest. 4 years later, he was enjoying a health care provider on ER.
He’s additionally had roles on Chicago PD and New York Undercover, and as talked about, he crossed over to sci-fi when he was on Torchwood.
This vary of roles makes it laborious to guess who he’ll play this time, however I’m hoping he performs a protection legal professional.
Protection attorneys are inclined to grow to be recurring characters, so if Mekhi Phifer performs one, he’ll be capable of return to Legislation & Order sooner or later, possibly even on a semi-regular foundation.
That’ll assist me overlook about that picture of him from Torchwood and provides this gifted actor extra work to do.
Protection attorneys additionally are inclined to irritate the prosecutors and cops, so he’d get to have lots of meaty, dramatic scenes involving a number of forged members, which might be enjoyable.
Legislation & Order Can Be Trusted To Give Phifer A Worthwhile Half
The concentrate on Phifer being one other ER alum can be annoying as a result of it doesn’t matter who’s on the present if the writing isn’t sturdy.
Phifer wasn’t chosen only for the gimmick of getting ER actors work collectively.
He was the perfect actor for no matter half he was given.
The excellent news is that Legislation & Order normally doesn’t go for gimmick-based writing.
Whereas there have been just a few clunkers, the long-running police procedural normally delivers sturdy tales, usually that includes moral dilemmas.
Thus, the collection may be trusted to have chosen him for a cause, and no matter half he performs can be talked about for a very long time.
Nonetheless, his position on ER, alongside along with his different roles, ready him nicely for this second. ER was one of many first reveals to characteristic gritty, real looking storylines, which is Legislation & Order’s bread and butter.
Plus, Phifer reportedly orchestrated his character’s good dying scene when he was prepared to depart ER, so he clearly has good dramatic instincts and the clout to realize some management over the kinds of elements he performs.
Over to you, Legislation & Order fanatics.
Are you enthusiastic about Mekhi Phifer’s upcoming visitor look on Legislation & Order? Who do you hope he’ll play?
Hit the feedback together with your ideas.
Legislation & Order airs on NBC on Thursdays at 8/7c. It returns with all new episodes on January 16, 2025.
Watch Legislation & Order: On-line
