Anticipation for Law & Order Season 21

[Door County Cherry]

Please discuss what you'd like to see in the revival, who you hope is cast or your thoughts about casting.  

News, character descriptions and what TPTB might say about things they'll do (crossovers) are fair game.  

[Xeliou66]

As I’ve said before, I’m really hoping Sam Waterston comes on board full time and we get Jack McCoy as DA once again. I have a lot of fears that the revival will suck, but getting Jack back would alleviate some of those fears as he’s a legendary character and the face of the show. So I’m really hoping that happens.

I also hear they are in talks to get Anthony Anderson back as Bernard, I like that as well, maybe Bernard could be the squad commander of the Homicide unit, taking over Van Buren’s role, I think Bernard would be good in that role.

I know they’ve cast Jeffrey Donovan as one of the detectives.

And I really don’t want much crossover with SVU and OC, particularly SVU, I wasn’t happy to hear about how they apparently want to do crossovers, because SVU is utter shit 90% of the time now. SVU has also crapped on the DA’s office, so I’m not sure how they will write in DA characters as upstanding on this show and then have them make snide remarks about them on SVU - it would require the SVU writers realizing they’ve fucked up and taking steps to correct it which I don’t think they are capable of doing. And Olivia Benson has just become unbearable, she’s like a toxic black hole that sucks everyone around her down with her, and I really don’t want her on L&O giving her sermons and pushing her agenda. Mariska Hargitay’s Jupiter sized ego has gone a long way in ruining SVU, and I really don’t want her crap taking over the Mothership, in fact I will be furious if it happens.

So if the Mothership sticks to its classic formula of police investigation plus legal proceedings, and brings in decent characters while not focusing much on their personal lives, it should be a success, particularly if they get some previous characters back (especially Jack McCoy). If they disregard the formula, or have too much crossover with SVU, it will be a disaster, and I hate to think of L&O being a disaster since it was so awesome for 20 years.

[GHScorpiosRule]

I would LOOOOVE for Paul to return to the District Attorney’s office! Yeah, I said it! Richard Brooks hasn’t aged a day!

Aaand…that’s all I have for now.

[Jaded]

I'd love to discuss casting. Hard to do when we've only found out about one person who's not a returnee so far. I'm hoping we find out about more additions soon and that they won't be as tight lipped as the Organized Crime casting was leading up to the premeire. 

[Jaded]

1 minute ago, GHScorpiosRule said:

I would LOOOOVE for Paul to return to the District Attorney’s office! Yeah, I said it! Richard Brooks hasn’t aged a day!

Aaand…that’s all I have for now.

He would be a good pick for the DA. During the original run Richard Brooks knew how to make a memorable impression.  As much as I liked the addition of Jill Hennessy to the cast I missed the character of Robinette too. 

[tessaray]

2 hours ago, Xeliou66 said:

I also hear they are in talks to get Anthony Anderson back as Bernard, I like that as well, maybe Bernard could be the squad commander of the Homicide unit, taking over Van Buren’s role, I think Bernard would be good in that role.

I know they’ve cast Jeffrey Donovan as one of the detectives

That was my thought too, when I heard they were discussing AA returning. I have a hard time imagining him having partner chemistry with Donovan but could totally see him as the boss. 

I'm hoping any and all of the medical examiners and shrinks come back, though JKS is pretty popular - not sure if he would come back as Skoda.

And a huge NO to anything more than a minor in universe crossover. Not an SVU fan at all. 

[Xeliou66]

3 minutes ago, tessaray said:

That was my thought too, when I heard they were discussing AA returning. I have a hard time imagining him having partner chemistry with Donovan but could totally see him as the boss. 

I'm hoping any and all of the medical examiners and shrinks come back, though JKS is pretty popular - not sure if he would come back as Skoda.

And a huge NO to anything more than a minor in universe crossover. Not an SVU fan at all. 

I would LOVE to see Emil Skoda again, my favorite recurring character, don’t know if he would come back though because he is a pretty big actor, and rightfully so, he’s been great in every role I’ve seen him in. Also ME Rodgers, she’s a favorite of mine as well, would be awesome if she came back.

And yes the easiest way for this show to become crap is by constantly crossing over with SVU - please keep Benson and her shit far away from this show, like I said before, she drags down every character she comes in contact with.

[balmz]

one idea to avoid mccoy's character being wrecked by svu i had was this

 

mccoy was sick and had taken a leave of absence so someone else was in charge while he was away, then they can have their character wrecked without ruining mccoy, don't know if that would work irl or if that is how it is done irl if the da is sick but since svu is really unrealistic then i guess i can play around and screw around with how things work in the da office

[Jaded]

I'm not thrilled about the AA speculation. Ugh.

I'm pretty sure Black-ish is filming it's final season now while the revived L&O must be filming or about to start. I guess he could do both at once. I kind of hope not though.... 😶

[tessaray]

4 hours ago, Jaded said:

He would be a good pick for the DA. During the original run Richard Brooks knew how to make a memorable impression.  As much as I liked the addition of Jill Hennessy to the cast I missed the character of Robinette too. 

I don't think I could buy Paul reversing course and going back to the DA's office. Though I would like to see him again. 

[Door County Cherry]

4 hours ago, tessaray said:

That was my thought too, when I heard they were discussing AA returning. I have a hard time imagining him having partner chemistry with Donovan but could totally see him as the boss. 

I don't think Anthony Anderson would want to come and do the "boss" role.  He was just lead on his own sitcom for the past eight years. The Van Buren role was good but didn't always get as much screen time as the investigators.  

I also don't think they're going to want everyone in their fifties and older.  That's why I was surprised with the Donovan casting if they were going to also bring back Anthony. 

[WendyCR72]

Just now, Door County Cherry said:

I also don't think they're going to want everyone in their fifties and older.  That's why I was surprised with the Donovan casting if they were going to also bring back Anthony. 

That would be a shame, because, even in the early years, the older actors always seemed more compelling. But the TV landscape is a very different animal these days.

With the premiere date so soon, I will say I am very surprised we know so little beyond one note of casting. It makes me wonder just how much of a revival versus reboot this "S21" will turn out to be. I do hope some familiar faces are in the offing!

[Door County Cherry]

2 minutes ago, WendyCR72 said:

That would be a shame, because, even in the early years, the older actors always seemed more compelling. But the TV landscape is a very different animal these days.

Not that different. L&O has always trended towards intergenerational. It just might not stand out as much because we've grown old with them. 

For instance, Chris Noth was 38 when he started L&O. So was Anthony Anderson. Richard Brooks was 28.  Jill Hennessey was 25. Carey Lowell was in her mid thirties. Jesse was 30 when he started.  Linus was in his 40s.  Alan de La Garza was 30. Their partners were usually older.  

I'm not saying they have to go as young as Jill but everyone being over 50 would definitely be a departure for this show.  

[GHScorpiosRule]

6 hours ago, Door County Cherry said:

Jesse was 30 when he started. 

Who’s Jesse?

[tessaray]

2 hours ago, GHScorpiosRule said:

Who’s Jesse?

Jesse Martin, Ed Green

[GHScorpiosRule]

55 minutes ago, tessaray said:

Jesse Martin, Ed Green

D’OH!!!!

just gimme the DUNCE HAT NOW!! 😂😂😂😂😂

And Noth was 33 when the pilot was filmed-in ‘88. So he was 35 going on 36 when the show premiered.

[wknt3]

18 hours ago, Xeliou66 said:

I would LOVE to see Emil Skoda again, my favorite recurring character, don’t know if he would come back though because he is a pretty big actor, and rightfully so, he’s been great in every role I’ve seen him in.

I'm don't think he would be able to be a regular recurring character, but I'm sure he'd be game. He always seemed to appreciate the way the series helped him move to the next level and he juggled his schedule to appear in the later seasons when he didn't really need the money and had plenty on his plate including a starring role on another series.
 

14 hours ago, Door County Cherry said:

I don't think Anthony Anderson would want to come and do the "boss" role.  He was just lead on his own sitcom for the past eight years. The Van Buren role was good but didn't always get as much screen time as the investigators. 

I don't know. I would actually think he would find the role more appealing coming off being the lead of a sitcom. He gets to cut back on the hours and evaluate his next move/work on other projects while still collecting a steady paycheck, remind producers and casting execs he can do drama too, and he is in what is considered a bit of a prestige role where he gets many of the best lines without having to run or do lots of location shoots? I can certainly see the appeal.

Edited November 13, 2021 by wknt3
ducking autocorrect! this is why hate posting on my phone...

[Spartan Girl]

23 hours ago, GHScorpiosRule said:

I would LOOOOVE for Paul to return to the District Attorney’s office! Yeah, I said it! Richard Brooks hasn’t aged a day!

Aaand…that’s all I have for now.

As long as it’s the real Paul and not Pod!Paul 😉

I really hope they don’t bring back Melnick. Cannot STAND her.

[GHScorpiosRule]

2 minutes ago, Spartan Girl said:

As long as it’s the real Paul and not Pod!Paul 😉

I really hope they don’t bring back Melnick. Cannot STAND her.

ADA Paul Robinette is the real Paul. Defense attorney was POD!Paul!

It’s a straight up tie who I loathe more: Melnick or Rothenberg (played by Jeffrey DeMunn).

Edited November 14, 2021 by GHScorpiosRule

[Jaded]

I was just looking up Tovah Feldshuh who played Melnick and it looks like she was playing Leona Helmsley in a play recently....😄

[Xeliou66]

1 hour ago, GHScorpiosRule said:

ADA Paul Robinette is the real Paul. Defense attorney was POD!Paul!

It’s a straight up tie who I loathe more: Melnick or Rothenberg (played by Jeffrey DeMunn).

Rothenberg was a smug bastard who represented some real scum, very unlikable character but a very good adversary. I hate Melnick and I think she should’ve been disbarred for her actions in Open Season, and I don’t want her back either, I found her very annoying and self righteous.

While I really like Paul Robinette, I would just have a difficult time buying him as a prosecutor again after he became a defensive lawyer. 

Edited November 14, 2021 by Xeliou66

[paigow]

Melnick should be in jail because Jack busted her for being an accessory...

[Xeliou66]

2 hours ago, paigow said:

Melnick should be in jail because Jack busted her for being an accessory...

Amen!! I hated that Jack went to bat for Melnick and got her off when she got someone killed by violating a judge’s order, at the very least she should’ve been disbarred and she probably should’ve gone to jail. 

[callie lee 29]

My absolute dream would be Ben back but that will NEVER happen. Paul would be a good second. Jack always sort of annoyed me.

I don't see AA coming back while shooting black-ish (or if the studios would let him). 

The only time I would accept a crossover with SVU is if was a massive investigation of all the bullshit Olivia has pulled over the years. 

[Xeliou66]

Just now, callie lee 29 said:

My absolute dream would be Ben back but that will NEVER happen. Paul would be a good second. Jack always sort of annoyed me.

I don't see AA coming back while shooting black-ish (or if the studios would let him). 

The only time I would accept a crossover with SVU is if was a massive investigation of all the bullshit Olivia has pulled over the years. 

Ben Stone is dead. It was revealed he died of an illness on the SVU episode The Undiscovered Country, and Jack gave the eulogy at his funeral and talked to Ben’s son Peter, also a prosecutor, about him. I guess you don’t follow SVU. It was a well done tribute to Ben I thought, and since there was zero chance of the actor ever coming back, it didn’t bother me that he died, and Jack’s words about him at the funeral were very true to Ben’s character and it was a well done, moving scene.

[callie lee 29]

1 minute ago, Xeliou66 said:

Ben Stone is dead. It was revealed he died of an illness on the SVU episode The Undiscovered Country, and Jack gave the eulogy at his funeral and talked to Ben’s son Peter, also a prosecutor, about him. I guess you don’t follow SVU. It was a well done tribute to Ben I thought, and since there was zero chance of the actor ever coming back, it didn’t bother me that he died, and Jack’s words about him at the funeral were very true to Ben’s character and it was a well done, moving scene.

Well crap. I don't follow SVU so thanks for the info. It's good to know that they did right by him though. Thank you.

[tessaray]

Jack would be the easiest way into picking up where we left off but I wouldn't mind them handing off to an interim DA if Waterston didn't want to come back full-time.  

To have episodes to air in February they really must be filming soon.  It's frustrating that we haven't heard anything yet. I guess I'm spoiled by the set reports from other shows.

I really like TF and was sad the way they wrote Danielle in later years. I'd like to see her again. {Ducks}

[wknt3]

1 hour ago, callie lee 29 said:

My absolute dream would be Ben back but that will NEVER happen. Paul would be a good second. Jack always sort of annoyed me.

I don't see AA coming back while shooting black-ish (or if the studios would let him).

Studios let actors shoot other projects pretty regularly these days. Especially if their series is ending and they want to maintain a good relationship for the future. It would depend on the scheduling and possibly COVID protocols (not sure how that would effect people doing a 3 day on 2 off kind of shooting schedule.
 

1 hour ago, Xeliou66 said:

Ben Stone is dead. It was revealed he died of an illness on the SVU episode The Undiscovered Country, and Jack gave the eulogy at his funeral and talked to Ben’s son Peter, also a prosecutor, about him. I guess you don’t follow SVU. It was a well done tribute to Ben I thought, and since there was zero chance of the actor ever coming back, it didn’t bother me that he died, and Jack’s words about him at the funeral were very true to Ben’s character and it was a well done, moving scene.

I agree that it was a great scene and worth seeking out for mothership fans. As long as they turn it off as soon as the funeral ends. And to be fair I don't think his death makes the character's return any less likely than it was previously.

[Door County Cherry]

2 hours ago, tessaray said:

I really like TF and was sad the way they wrote Danielle in later years. I'd like to see her again. {Ducks}

I like Tovah too that I haven't thought too hard about whether or not Melnick should be disbarred.  

I'm also hoping to see Dworkin again.  He's one of my favorite defense attorneys. 

1 hour ago, wknt3 said:

Studios let actors shoot other projects pretty regularly these days. Especially if their series is ending and they want to maintain a good relationship for the future.

The Black-ish production for its final season is scheduled to finish in Nov of this year.  It looks like timing won't be a major factor since I don't think they've started shooting yet. 

[GHScorpiosRule]

Well, now I know why (if he was even asked) Rene Balcer isn't a part of the revival. I didn't know he was creator and show runner for the new F.B.I. show. So really, no time to work on this. Which is a bummer. Zuckerman hasn't done anything since 2017.

Like I said, I'd be more excited if some of the good writers from the original series, who are still among us, were part of this. Eid, I think, wrote some later season episodes, but Balcer, Zuckerman, Chernuchin, Duggan, Palm, Black, were among the BEST. At least for me.

And I'm not thrilled that only ONE original cast member, Anthony Anderson, is the only one returning. Waterston is still in "negotiations" from what I understand and read in the media thread. BAH!

 

ETA: This just in: SAM is REPRISING HIS ROLE as DA Jack McCoy!!!!

Edited December 16, 2021 by GHScorpiosRule

[anna0852]

https://tvline.com/2021/12/16/law-and-order-revival-sam-waterston-cast-jack-mccoy-season-21/

[Xeliou66]

So now that we know who the main cast will be, what recurring characters would you like to see pop up? I would love for Skoda to come back, but he’s become a pretty big actor and I’m not sure if he would do it. Olivet would be good as well. Also ME Rodgers, I would love it if she reprised her role, and as for defense attorneys I want to see Dworkin again, he’s always entertaining. I hope they can bring back some recurring characters as well as create some new ones, it was nice to see familiar faces pop up repeatedly on L&O.

[shapeshifter]

1 minute ago, Xeliou66 said:

Also ME Rodgers, I would love it if she reprised her role, and as for defense attorneys I want to see Dworkin again, he’s always entertaining.

It could be fun to have Dworkin be a judge now.

And maybe retired ME Rodgers could be an expert witness.

[Xeliou66]

6 minutes ago, shapeshifter said:

It could be fun to have Dworkin be a judge now.

And maybe retired ME Rodgers could be an expert witness.

I can’t imagine Dworkin as a judge given how irreverent and humorous he is, but who knows, any Dworkin appearance would be awesome.

And Rodgers might be retired, but the actress who plays her is only 61, so she could still be working as an ME. I would love to see her again.

Most of the judges would probably be retired by now but maybe some of them would still be on the bench.

Also Shambala Green, I would love to see her again.

And I would really like it if they paid tribute to Adam Schiff in some way, he was such an awesome, legendary character that it would be nice if they paid tribute to him, even just having a line or two about him from McCoy. 

[shapeshifter]

45 minutes ago, Xeliou66 said:

And Rodgers might be retired, but the actress who plays her is only 61, so she could still be working as an ME. I would love to see her again.

In that case, I will retract my suggestion that Rodgers is retired. 🙃

 

47 minutes ago, Xeliou66 said:

Also Shambala Green, I would love to see her again

Yes. Lorraine Toussaint is very busy these days, but maybe she’d enjoy reprising the role of Shambala Green, especially if it was a good story.

[Morrigan2575]

I'd like to see Abby Carmichael pop up, maybe they have a case that coincides with a Federal case, or heck, she can always be a Judge.

I'm watching S1 now, wouldn't mind seeing Cragen come back. He's apparently popped up twice on SVU to help with Old Cases, same for Van Buren

[GHScorpiosRule]

3 hours ago, Morrigan2575 said:

I'd like to see Abby Carmichael pop up, maybe they have a case that coincides with a Federal case, or heck, she can always be a Judge.

I'm watching S1 now, wouldn't mind seeing Cragen come back. He's apparently popped up twice on SVU to help with Old Cases, same for Van Buren

Shambala for sure! I don’t know what Patty Lupone is up to, but I want to see Ruthie again!!

While Merkersen is otherwise engaged on Wolf’s other show, if they mention Van Buren, it better be to say she’s enjoying retirement! Eid BETTER not FUCK it up and undo her remission!

 

Edited December 19, 2021 by GHScorpiosRule

[Morrigan2575]

34 minutes ago, GHScorpiosRule said:

While Merkeson is otherwise engaged on Wolf’s other show, if they mention Van Buren, it better be to say she’s enjoying retirement! Eid BETTER not FUCK it up and undo her remission!

Oh, I hope not. That would be devastating. 😌

[Xeliou66]

38 minutes ago, GHScorpiosRule said:

Shambala for sure! I don’t know what Patty Lupone is up to, but I want to see Ruthie again!!

While Merkeson is otherwise engaged on Wolf’s other show, if they mention Van Buren, it better be to say she’s enjoying retirement! Eid BETTER not FUCK it up and undo her remission!

 

Yeah I highly doubt we’ll see Van Buren because of the actress being on Chicago Med, but I would like them to mention that she’s enjoying her retirement.

I would love to see Jamie Ross be the judge presiding over one of the cases, or see Abbie again as a federal prosecutor. Hell I wouldn’t even mind seeing Serena show up as a defense attorney. Also while we’re on the topic of former main characters, I would absolutely LOVE to see Ed Green again and learn what he’s up to. 

[Door County Cherry]

I could see Van Buren appearing in an episode at some point because she's on another Wolfe show.  If he wants it, he'll make it happen. 

[WendyCR72]

39 minutes ago, Door County Cherry said:

I could see Van Buren appearing in an episode at some point because she's on another Wolfe show.  If he wants it, he'll make it happen. 

The only issue there could be if this revival also takes place in the same "universe". And if ol' Wolf ever wants a Chicago crossover. I mean, most viewers could probably separate the two characters, but maybe Wolf would just want to avoid such a conflict, too. Shrug.

Guess we'll see!

[wknt3]

4 hours ago, Xeliou66 said:

So now that we know who the main cast will be, what recurring characters would you like to see pop up? I would love for Skoda to come back, but he’s become a pretty big actor and I’m not sure if he would do it. Olivet would be good as well. Also ME Rodgers, I would love it if she reprised her role, and as for defense attorneys I want to see Dworkin again, he’s always entertaining. I hope they can bring back some recurring characters as well as create some new ones, it was nice to see familiar faces pop up repeatedly on L&O.

As I said before I think JK Simmons would definitely be willing since he credits the show for helping him become such a big actor. Plus he'd get to work with SW again as well as writers and producers he goes way back with. I'd imagine the bigger issue would be scheduling. And yes we need to see Rodgers and Dworkin again.
 

4 hours ago, Xeliou66 said:

I can’t imagine Dworkin as a judge given how irreverent and humorous he is, but who knows, any Dworkin appearance would be awesome.

Plus we know he hasn't really changed and is still up to his old tricks as of a few years ago. While I think they should feel free to ignore SVU continuity as necessary in this case it really isn't.

1 hour ago, Xeliou66 said:

Yeah I highly doubt we’ll see Van Buren because of the actress being on Chicago Med, but I would like them to mention that she’s enjoying her retirement.

 

27 minutes ago, Door County Cherry said:

I could see Van Buren appearing in an episode at some point because she's on another Wolfe show.  If he wants it, he'll make it happen. 

As I've said before S. Epatha Merkerson could always pop up as her Chicago Med character, I really could see them doing a 6 part event...
 

Quote

I would love to see Jamie Ross be the judge presiding over one of the cases, or see Abbie again as a federal prosecutor. Hell I wouldn’t even mind seeing Serena show up as a defense attorney. Also while we’re on the topic of former main characters, I would absolutely LOVE to see Ed Green again and learn what he’s up to. 

Any of these would be good although I hope that they don't do too many returning favorites in the first season. If OC has taught us anything it's that the franchise is better when the fan service and revisiting the past is occasional rather than constant.

[Xeliou66]

3 minutes ago, wknt3 said:

As I said before I think JK Simmons would definitely be willing since he credits the show for helping him become such a big actor. Plus he'd get to work with SW again as well as writers and producers he goes way back with. I'd imagine the bigger issue would be scheduling. And yes we need to see Rodgers and Dworkin again.
 

Plus we know he hasn't really changed and is still up to his old tricks as of a few years ago. While I think they should feel free to ignore SVU continuity as necessary in this case it really isn't.

 

As I've said before S. Epatha Merkerson could always pop up as her Chicago Med character, I really could see them doing a 6 part event...
 

Any of these would be good although I hope that they don't do too many returning favorites in the first season. If OC has taught us anything it's that the franchise is better when the fan service and revisiting the past is occasional rather than constant.

Yes I hope they establish the new characters well and don’t focus too much on the past, but it would be nice to see some fan favorites pop up here and there. And I really hope they don’t do many crossovers, current SVU is such a shitshow that it would really drag down this show and I don’t want the toxic influence of St Olivia to come onto this show. And don’t even get me started on how much I hate the Chicago shows, they make SVU look like quality television.

[preeya]

1 hour ago, Xeliou66 said:

And I really hope they don’t do many crossovers, current SVU is such a shitshow that it would really drag down this show and I don’t want the toxic influence of St Olivia to come onto this show.

This ↑ 1000 times.  I hope TPTB read these comments and take the "real watchers" to heart.

[Xeliou66]

15 minutes ago, preeya said:

This ↑ 1000 times.  I hope TPTB read these comments and take the "real watchers" to heart.

I sure hope they do as well. Mariska Hargitay/St Olivia already has her own hour on SVU, don’t bring her on this show as well to drag everyone down. Her enormous ego is the main reason SVU is dog shit right now, and I’ll be royally pissed if she starts dragging L&O down or if they start forcing a bunch of crossovers because some fans on social media want it.

[catrice2]

So excited...and I like Jeffery Donovan. 

[Morrigan2575]

11 hours ago, catrice2 said:

So excited...and I like Jeffery Donovan. 

I love that L&O continues to use guest stars as new Cops/lawyers. 

[GHScorpiosRule]

8 minutes ago, Morrigan2575 said:

I love that L&O continues to use guest stars as new Cops/lawyers. 

I know, right?

We first had Jerry Orbach as the defense attorney for the character based on Betty Broderick in season two's "Wages of Love"; only for him to come back as Lennie.

Michael Imperioli as the murderer in "Atonement" only to come back in she show's 15th? 16th? season as Dennis Farina's temporary partner, while Jesse was on Broadway in Rent.

And I already mentioned how Camryn had appeared twice in two different seasons as different characters.

Both Annie Parrisie and what'herface from season 17, appeared on the show before being cast as the an ADA and Green's partner.

[Morrigan2575]

Alex Borgia was a stripper in a previous season. Lupo played a defense attorney and now Jeffrey Donavon was a religious but, dad/killed in one of the Connie/Cutters seasons.

[GHScorpiosRule]

3 hours ago, Morrigan2575 said:

Alex Borgia was a stripper in a previous season. Lupo played a defense attorney and now Jeffrey Donavon was a religious but, dad/killed in one of the Connie/Cutters seasons.

Right==Annie Parrisie played Alex. Forgot about Sisto. I was just adding other actors from previous seasons who ended up playing the cops/attorneys as a comparison to season 21,. I knew about Donavan's religious fanatic dad who killed the teacher, who his daughter lied about having an affair with, when it was the counselor, I think.