If ‘Law and Order’ Ends, So Will a Boon for New York Actors
As Cancellation Looms, New York Actors Tell How the Series Defined an Era
The New York Post published a revealing article this week about what the long-running NBC series Law & Order, now in very real danger of cancellation after seventeen years on the air, has meant to not only New York, the state in which it is filmed, but the diverse and numerous actors who call the town home. The show’s creator, Dick Wolf, reportedly once claimed that the series “cast 10,000 speaking roles,” a fact that, if true, explains why the actors interviewed in the article express such gratitude and devotion to the franchise.
Among the interesting tidbits that previous guest stars—none of whom are household names or widely known by the general public—share include the excitement and respect that New York residents feel when they learn that the show is filming on location near their homes; the sense of camaraderie appearing on the show generates among local actors, who often know each other through their work on other productions in the state; and the remarkably friendly and helpful atmosphere that the regular cast members from all three series in the franchise have provided to the less acclaimed talent lucky enough to score a role.
I knew even before I came across the article that the cancellation of any of the Law & Orders would have a powerful impact far beyond just what is and isn’t available in NBC’s lineup in coming years. There really is a palpable sense of pride among New Yorkers that such a prominent and successful television series has not forgotten its roots and deserted the unique locale that gives it its unmistakable tone and compelling plots. As actor Amir Arison, who appeared in the 2004 Law & Order episode “Paradigm,” notes, what would be worse than the original series getting axed is “if it stayed on past its time.” That’s certainly true. But, still, one wishes that somehow the show could better meet the network’s and viewers’ expectations in order to survive for more seasons.
Law & Order currently airs Fridays on NBC at 10pm EST
Law & Order photo courtesy of NBC
