Sam Waterston Promoted to Head Honcho on ‘Law and Order’
Veteran Series Actor Slated to Become D.A. Next Season
It was all laid out so carefully before alert viewers in Law & Order‘s season-finale last month when Executive A.D.A. Jack McCoy, played by the masterful Sam Waterston for a whopping thirteen seasons, sparred with his boss, D.A. Arthur Branch (Fred D. Thompson), over whether or not to come clean to the defense about an error medical examiner Elizabeth Rodgers (Leslie Hendrix) made under pressure during her testimony for the prosecution. McCoy was typically set to be forthright, although Branch favored remaining slick. In response, McCoy tendered his resignation, which Branch refused with the notable comment, “one day, you’ll be sitting in this chair.”
Well, it looks like truer words have never been spoken on television. Following Thompson’s expected departure amid rampant rumors that he may soon run for president of the United States, NBC has announced that the vacancy for New York District Attorney on Law & Order will be filled by Waterston come next season, the long-running Dick Wolf series’ eighteenth.
Given that Waterston has served as A.D.A. for longer than any other actor, it’s no surprise that he should get the boss’ job. What is most intriguing is who’s going to fill his shoes as head A.D.A. at the prosecutor’s table. It’s unimaginable that his current sidekick and colleague, A.D.A. Connie Rubirosa (Alana De La Garza), will get the powerful position since she’s only been around for one season. That means someone new is going to have to step in and step up. Stay tuned for more L&O casting news…
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Sam Waterston photo courtesy of NBC
