His brother, Matt, was a thorn in his side the entire episode, starting with his expectation that the police detective bail him out.

Ryan Eggold played this annoying character perfectly, and Riley finally made the right decision at the end of the episode, but cops enabling their troubled family members is a trope I’d like not to cross my screen again for a while.

Vince Riley Is Not The First Law & Order Detective to Have A Troubled Family Member

This trope is common in the Law & Order universe, especially on Law & Order: SVU, where it’s already been used twice.

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Not only did SVU’s Amanda Rollins have a troubled sister that nobody liked, but Benson had a half-brother for whom she kept dropping everything.

In both cases, trying to be there for their family member only put the detective at risk of losing their job.

Rollins was probably the most ridiculous, as she almost went to jail behind her sister, framing her for murder.

But I remember holding my breath and praying Benson didn’t ruin everything for herself because she kept leaving meetings at the squad room about the current case to go rescue her half-brother from whatever mess he’d gotten into.

Suffice it to say, I’m burned out by this particular trope after the way it was handled on SVU!

Besides this, why is it that Blue Bloods is the only show where I’m certain the cops wouldn’t give a self-destructive family member every possible pass because of the relationship?

It doesn’t do the self-destructive person any good to constantly get bailed out.

It’s also not good for the police’s image for cops to constantly be trying to make changes go away or otherwise shield their family members from the consequences of their actions.

These Tropes Also Spread Negative Stereotypes About People With Addiction Issues

An additional problem with this Law & Order trope is that it reinforces negative ideas: that people with addiction problems are all manipulative, selfish liars.

It’s true that some people who abuse drugs or alcohol are manipulative and selfish, but not everybody is.

Addiction is a serious mental health issue, and I’m sure that Law & Order doesn’t want to discourage people from getting help.

But when the franchise shows cop after cop bending over backward to help an addicted sibling (why is it always a sibling, too?) who is very clearly manipulating them, it paints a lopsided picture that can discourage some from reaching out for support to stop drinking or using.

Oddly, another Dick Wolf show is counteracting these stereotypes constantly.

Chicago Med has been doing a phenomenal job with Hannah’s mental health storyline, including her temptation to use and her decision to go to NA meetings instead.

Rollins herself did this with gambling addiction (although she had a relapse that led to a silly story about her working undercover in a gambling ring).

Yet, when it comes to siblings of addicts, the Law & Order franchise tells the same story over and over, and it’s annoying.

The Worst Part Is How Obvious The Manipulation Is

In real life, those people who manipulate others into paying for drugs or bailing them out are generally skilled liars who can turn on the charm as needed to get what they want.

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However, these drug-addicted siblings are super obvious about it, and Matt Riley was one of the worst offenders.

Throughout the episode, it was not only obvious that he was going to screw his brother over but how he was going to do it.

He continually made promises that he had no intention of keeping, only to change his mind at the last minute and back out of the deal.

When he turned off the spy camera because he “didn’t want to be a snitch,” that should have been the end of Riley trusting that his brother would ever turn things around.

He should have told Nolan to do whatever he had to regarding the gun charge, washed his hands of the whole thing, and found the evidence he needed for his case some other way.

Instead, Riley gave him chance after chance, dangling the promise of exoneration to get his brother to cooperate.

He almost tanked Nolan’s case by offering his brother as a witness, only for Matt to flake out on the stand.

The least Riley should have done is warn Nolan that his brother had a history of backing out of these deals at the last minute so that Nolan would be prepared for Matt to say nothing useful while under oath.

Thankfully, Riley wised up after Matt pulled that last stunt in court, but by then, the damage was done.

I cheered when he informed Matt they were going ahead with the drug charges. Hopefully, Vince has learned his lesson and won’t fall for any more of Matt’s tricks later in the season.

That’s part of this tiresome trope, too. The manipulative characters never disappear unless they die or are killed.

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Rollins had to reject her sister at least three times before we got rid of her for good. Let’s hope it doesn’t take Matt that long to get the message.

What do you think, Law & Order fanatics? Does this trope bother you too, or do you think it’s just par for the course on police procedurals?

Hit the comments with your thoughts!

Law & Order airs on NBC on Thursdays at 8/7c and on Peacock on Fridays.

Watch Law & Order Online

The post Law & Order’s Vince Riley Made The Right Decision About His Troublemaking Brother, But Can We Please Retire This Trope Now? appeared first on TV Fanatic.

The Law & Order Season 24 Episode 2 Benson crossover featured her at her best: passionate, determined, and unafraid to stand up to people she works with to get justice for a rape survivor.

This version of Benson is unencumbered by the emotional baggage she’s been carrying for the past few years and is much more like the idealistic rookie cop who first graced our screens 25 years ago.

Benson Was Not Afraid To Confront Her Colleagues

The Law & Order Season 24 Episode 2 Benson crossover was unusual in that Benson was on the side of the defense rather than working with the prosecutors.

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On several previous occasions, Price or the cops needed her to weigh in on a witness or victim who had been sexually assaulted, but not this time.

This story was most similar to Law & Order: SVU Season 6 Episode 8, which involved Benson and Stabler passionately disagreeing about a rape case.

Then, as now, Benson was passionate, firm, and determined to get justice for a victim.

That’s the Benson fans fell in love with, and we need more of her!

Although Benson can be like that on Law & Order: SVU, in recent years, the series has focused on her mental health issues.

I know those stories are important. As an advocate for people with mental health conditions, I’m thrilled for accurate representation on TV and for the focus on vicarious trauma, which is not discussed enough.

However, it’s gone too far in that direction.

The character and show lose something when Benson is too close to unraveling rather than continuing to do her job while learning to set boundaries and take better care of herself.

Benson Put Getting Justice Above Her Professional Relationships

One of the best things about the Law & Order Season 24 Episode 2 Benson crossover is that Benson didn’t give a damn what it would do to her professional relationships to stand up for this victim.

Pissed Off Benson is the best Benson. She’s willing to do whatever it takes for social justice.

That was missing on Law & Order: SVU Season 26 Episode 1, when Benson didn’t fight very hard against the higher-ups who wanted to squash the prosecution of some anti-cop protesters because they thought it would look bad.

That might have been because she was saving all her energy for the fight ahead! Benson was at her most badass female self during this story.

She started the Law & Order Season 24 Episode 2 Benson crossover by going through the proper channels, appealing to both the cops and the prosecutors to consider the circumstances of Laura’s crime before proceeding with the case.

But when that didn’t work, she didn’t give up. She fought twice as hard.

Benson’s willingness to fight for survivors is practically a TV trope, but it’s also the thing I love best about her.

She is the fierce protector I wish I had been able to turn to in high school when I was getting unwanted physical contact with a group of cisgender boys who never faced any consequences for their actions.

Benson has always been the hero survivors need, but Law & Order: SVU Season 25 mostly took her away from us, replacing her with this person who was obsessed with Maddie Flynn and in need of emergency therapy.

She’s slowly becoming herself again on SVU, but she was all the way there on the Law & Order Season 24 Episode 2 Benson crossover.

My favorite moment was when “someone” leaked to the press that DNA from rape kits was being used for other purposes without their consent, and Benson’s comment was, “I wonder who did that.”

Price was pissed. Too bad, so sad.

Maybe he shouldn’t have used DNA provided in order to catch a rapist to facilitate the arrest of a victim.

What Will Happen To SVU’s Relationship With Homicide After The Law & Order Season 24 Episode 2 Benson Crossover?

I loved Benson’s take-no-prisoners attitude. She did whatever she had to, at the expense of her relationship with Price and perhaps everyone else involved in the case.

Still, there are bound to be consequences. After all, she did break several people’s trust by leaking the news about the DNA issue.

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I’m sure she will not be sorry about what she did. She was working for the greater good. But this could still come back to bite her on the butt.

This is especially interesting considering the newest member of the Law & Order: SVU Season 26 cast is a recent transplant from the Homicide Unit who won’t talk about the reasons she changed jobs.

Benson might need some insight from Jessica Brady about that, and she may not get it because of her choices here.

That doesn’t change how I feel about the way she acted on the Law & Order Season 24 Episode 2 Benson crossover, though.

If anything, that makes her choices even more admirable.

She knew that leaking info to the press, testifying for the defense, and going to Baxter to try to secure a plea deal that Price didn’t want to make would turn friends into enemies, but she did those things anyway because she knew they were the right thing to do.

In that way, she was similar to Blue Bloods‘ Frank Reagan, putting her value system above everything, including political considerations.

Over to you, fellow Benson fans.

What did you think of the Law & Order Season 24 Episode 2 Benson crossover? What fallout are you expecting from Benson’s choices?

Hit the comments and let us know!

Law & Order and Law & Order: SVU air on Thursdays on NBC starting at 8/7c and on Peacock on Fridays

Watch Law & Order online

The post Law & Order Season 24 Episode 2 Benson Crossover Was The Version of Olivia Benson We Want To See! appeared first on TV Fanatic.

I’m at a loss as to why they didn’t. This first crossover appearance in several years was brilliant, but having Maroun be in the background while Price handled the case made no sense.

It also made Price come across as more unsympathetic than the series intended, making it an even bigger mistake.

Benson’s Issue With This Case Seemed Tailor-Made For Maroun

When Benson visits Law & Order, usually, she’s helping the cops or prosecutors with a case involving sexual abuse, but this time was different.

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She was angry that the police had arrested a rape victim who had shot and killed a man.

According to Benson, the victim’s PTSD and poor experience with the cops after her attack had led her to believe the man was stalking her and that her only recourse was to eliminate him herself.

Throughout the hour, Benson argued with Price about this while Maroun stayed silent, which made no sense.

Maroun is usually passionate about issues pertaining to women’s rights. Recently, she almost threw her career away trying to force a witness to testify so that a woman who was brutally murdered would get justice.

That’s why Law & Order should have used Maroun in this case instead of letting her be in the background, doing almost nothing the entire episode.

The few times that Maroun did speak, it was in agreement with Price.

She reinforced the idea that Laura should be held accountable for shooting a man despite the circumstances. That was good for the story, but it didn’t fit her character.

Maroun has empathized with women who got in trouble for reactive violence before, making it feel as if the police procedural were pushing the character around to suit the plot instead of writing character-based drama.

Meanwhile, Price handled the trial and argued with Baxter about whether to offer Laura a plea deal rather than involving Maroun.

Law & Order Should Have Used Maroun To Cross-Examine Benson

Having a Man Question Benson’s Expertise Came Off As Condescending

The trial became a conflict between Price and Benson, and it shouldn’t have.

It’s not a good look for the DA’s office for a male ADA to question a woman who has years of experience with sex crimes about whether she knows what she’s talking about.

While gender shouldn’t matter theoretically, in reality, Price asking Benson if she came to court with an agenda comes across far differently than if a woman had asked her about her advocacy.

Perhaps this was purposeful on the writers’ part to make a point.

Price seems like the kind of guy who would be an ally to women, yet he believed that Tyler’s obsessive love messages were simply the awkward ramblings of a man who didn’t know how to express his feelings appropriately.

That could be why Maroun didn’t handle this trial.

It would have come across very differently to the jury if she questioned whether Tyler’s messages to Laura were actually threats, but she never would have pursued that line of questioning because her experiences would have told her that they were.

That is exactly why Law & Order should have used Maroun in this story.

It would have been a compelling subplot if Maroun disagreed sharply with Price about those messages and wanted to handle this case so that she could make her point without undermining women’s rights not to be harassed.

Price and Baxter could have refused to let her on the grounds that she was being “too emotional” and reminded her that she was on thin ice because of her previous unobjective behavior.

That would have connected this story to Law & Order Season 24 Episode 1 while reinforcing the point about misogyny by having the men dismiss Maroun’s concerns as emotional nonsense.

Maroun Could Have Confided In Benson About Her Conflict

Doing So Would Have Tied This Case To Rita Calhoun’s Previous Appearance

The defense attorney in this case was not a random person. Rita Calhoun was a nuisance on SVU who often defended wealthy men accused of rape and came close to breaking the law to get them out of trouble.

She disgusted Benson during Law & Order: SVU Season 22 Episode 6 by telling her that women shouldn’t risk going after powerful men.

Benson: You know what I don’t understand? Rita, what the hell were you thinking, defending him?

Calhoun: Read the room, Olivia. The way these courts are packed,.. the next 30 years, every appeal, all the way to the Supreme Court. The fix is in.

Benson: That’s why we keep fighting!

Calhoun: Not if they won’t let you in the ring. Olivia, you keep staying on the wrong side of this, you’re gonna be marginalized for the rest of your career. My advice: lie back and pretend you’re enjoying it.

For some reason, this conflict wasn’t mentioned. Instead, Calhoun was now defending rape victims instead of rapists and put Benson on the stand to support her case.

That’s an additional reason that Law & Order should have used Maroun.

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If Maroun had confided in Benson that she secretly agreed with her but had to go along with the DA’s office publicly, it would have given Benson the opportunity to encourage her not to be like Calhoun had been last time around.

Law & Order Should Have Used Maroun To Help Close The Plea Deal

Maroun was sorely missed when the DA’s office attempted to make a deal with Laura.

It’s likely Laura wouldn’t have listened to anyone. She wouldn’t make the deal even when Calhoun encouraged her to.

However, it might have been helpful to have a female ADA in the room, as Laura likely felt that Price was yet another man dismissing her fear of the man she killed.

It’s impossible to tell how Maroun’s participation would have changed this case since she wasn’t there.

I can’t shake the feeling that the jury might not have been as quick to find Laura guilty if a female ADA had been part of this case, which is likely why Baxter and Price didn’t want Maroun there.

Still, there was no reason not to state that explicitly instead of having Maroun be mysteriously absent.

Over to you, Law & Order fanatics.

What do you make of Maroun’s absence? Do you think that Law & Order should have used her during this episode?

Hit the comments with your thoughts.

Law & Order airs on NBC on Thursdays at 8/7c and on Peacock on Fridays.

The post Why Law & Order Should Have Used Maroun In A Case Involving Benson appeared first on TV Fanatic.

If the petty drama and nonstop destruction of reputations manage to pull you in, you’ll be treated with enough eye candy to cause diabetes.

If we’re going to have handsome hunks thrown in our faces, we should at least know where else we can stalk – I mean, watch them.

Where there are pretty people on TV, there are petty problems!

With Tell Me Lies Season 2 just about doubling up on the man-meat, it’s time to get to the bottom of where Hulu found these gorgeous guys to play such “unique” characters.

Get ready to swipe right, ladies and gentlemen, because we have a lineup of suitable bachelors for you today!

Oliver

Kicking things off is the solemn and brooding Oliver, a married professor at Baird University. Don’t let that marital status deter you, ladies! This beautiful man is not afraid to step out of the marital bed.

That’s right! This tall drink of water likes to grade on a hot, young thing’s curves now and then.

Not much of a talker? No problem! Oliver is a man of very few words because he’s too busy frowning!

You’ll never have to worry about catching enough sleep because an affair with Oliver is a guaranteed snooze fest. So, grab your Snuggie and saddle up to this wet blanket!

Tom Ellis

Oliver may not be that great, but the actor who plays him is a LEGEND. I may be biased due to my love of his signature series, but Tom Ellis was born to play Lucifer.

If you watched the series, you likely remember little from the plot, but every detail of Tom’s abs and backside. I’m not being creepy. Those parts of his body were always on display.

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I’m not mad about it either because the actor, as Trevor from the CBS show Ghosts would say, kept it and continues to keep it tight. As for how long he’ll grace the small screen on Tell Me Lies, it’s anyone’s guess.

He may be here for the long haul since the series was created by his wife, Meaghan Oppenheimer. Just in case, though, you can catch this sexy Scorpio in other shows and movies like Exploding Kittens, Players, and Miranda.

Leo

Up next, we have the sizzling and tantalizingly sexy Leo! Ladies, this fine fellow is a real firecracker in and out of the boudoir. Hopefully, those satin sheets aren’t flammable!

Leo loves long walks on the beach, holding hands, and headbutting strangers who are rude to his lady friends. If anger issues get your motor running, prepare to peel off into the sunset with this gorgeous guy.

Get lost in those dreamy blue eyes while you can. If there is one thing those luscious lips don’t pucker up for, it’s unresolved trauma and toxicity.

But don’t fret because there’s more behind that handsome face than meets the eye!

When he isn’t assaulting strangers, Leo likes to give out heart-wrenching advice that he is far too young to have, let alone follow!

Thomas Doherty

You don’t have to travel to the “Land of Cakes” to see Thomas Doherty’s talents. His skills have been shining on the small and big screen for a while now.

Most recently, he played the most uninhibited character on the Gossip Girl reboot since Chuck Bass. However, everyone was fair game for a good time with his character, Max Wolfe.

Even though he left his Scottish accent at home to play the role, his character was still one of the sexiest and most interesting of the 2021 Gossip Girl.

Given his character’s recent struggles with Lucy on Tell Me Lies, there’s a good chance Leo may be making his exit very soon.

However, this TV Fanatic has your fix for more of this devilishly charming actor. For some vampire fun, catch him in Legacies and The Invitation.

If you’re in a family way, there’s always Descendants 2 on Disney+, one of Doherty’s first movies!

Evan

Ladies, who is a fan of the handsome, silent type that makes you work too hard for his attention?

If you like a man with no idea what he wants, we’ve got the sweet, clueless, well-meaning gentleman of your dreams!

He may look stoic with those handsome features that never seem to crack.

However, underneath that cool exterior of an imperfect man beats a big heart that he’s just waiting to give to the right little lady.

That is, when he’s not busy giving the D to someone who isn’t his girlfriend. Don’t worry, ladies, because Evan does not stray far! He’ll be around every corner waiting to win you back.

If a soft heart and questionable decision-making skills get you weak in the knees, then give this disturbingly beautiful man a chance!

Branden Cook

While Branden Cook is relatively unknown, he’s still been making splashes in one project or another.

Like any young, handsome, fit actor, he’s already made it onto a police procedural. If there is one rite of passage on TV, it’s starring in the most formulaic of shows.

With a whole episode of Chicago PD under his belt, Cook needs to play a hot new doctor on Grey’s Anatomy and a lawyer on Law & Order to complete the trifecta.

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As far as actors on Tell Me Lies, I have to give it to Branden Cook because despite playing a supporting character, the actor makes the most of every scene and line of dialogue.

Don’t believe me? Then, see Cook in action for yourself in his other credits, such as Masters of the Air and Industry.

Wrigley

Is it getting hot in here, or is that our next eligible bachelor, Wrigley? If you want a guy your mom and dad will love but your south mouth won’t, this man is for you!

Sure, you may have to dip into some acting talent during sexy time with Wrigley so you don’t hurt his feelings, but what he lacks in skill, he makes up for in enthusiasm!

He’s big, goofy, and charming. He’s a German shepherd. But when he shines that beautiful smile your way, you won’t care that his IQ is likely in the toilet.

Unlike some other fellows featured here today, Wrigley doesn’t have the creative juices or narcissism to cheat.

The only thing you’ll have to worry about is him heating up a can of Campbell’s soup in the microwave! So, swipe right on this big, lovable idiot before it’s too late!

Spencer House

Unlike his character, Spencer House is a skillful and intelligent actor. He’s been making waves in the industry since entering it ten years ago.

It doesn’t hurt that he’s handsome in that classic boy-next-door-that-you-grew-up-with sort of way. Like a class clown turned football jock, Spencer House has shown an interest in a range of roles.

It’s a harsh reality, but many actors get hired for the perception that their appearance inspires. In Spencer’s case, he looks like, well, I’ll put it this way — he was cast as the “douchey guy” on Madam Secretary.

Thankfully, he’s managed to pivot by taking on various characters in shows like Space Force, Teenage Bounty Hunters, and The Society.

His credits don’t end there, either, so we’ll likely continue to see the actor in one series or another as his star rises.

Stephen

Sadly, we’ve come to the end of our roster, but we’re not done yet because we’ve saved the worst for last! Get ready to meet the devil himself!

Alright, girls, you aren’t going to find a guy like Stephen anywhere else unless you attend a convention exclusively for psychopaths!

He’s angry. He’s cynical. He’s a sociopath. He’s the exact kind of guy yours and every other mother warns young ladies about!

Maybe it’s how his icy stare pierces through, but this maniacal man will send shivers down your spine in the most chilling way.

So, if you like having your confidence and self-esteem shattered, pick a date with this genuinely unhinged individual. Act now, and we’ll even throw in a lifetime of trauma at no cost!

Jackson White

If you’ve read my Tell Me Lies Season 2 reviews, you likely know how I feel about White’s character. However, my feelings on Jackson himself are the complete opposite.

Despite not being afraid to step into the shoes of a truly evil character, Jackson White keeps things low-key and maintains a healthy work-life balance.

He is such a talented actor to be playing opposite his real partner without it interfering with their relationship. I don’t know about any of you TV Fanatics, but I couldn’t do it.

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White has already starred alongside Kathryn Hahn (Agatha All Along) in the HBO mini-series Mrs. Fletcher, in which he played a character similar to Stephen on Tell Me Lies.

However, the skilled actor doesn’t always play a jerk. His range of talent is evident in titles such as SEAL Team, Pet Semetary: Bloodlines, and The Middle.

Tell Me Lies is a series rife with melodrama and enough pettiness to give the Bravo network a run for its money.

While the series’ strength is the well-written and depicted story, it doesn’t hurt that every male character looks like your next bad decision.

Who’s your favorite hunk from Tell Me Lies Season 2?

What has been your favorite part about Season 2?

Please comment below to let me know, and join me again when I share more insights into your favorite characters and shows!

Watch Tell Me Lies Online

The post Tell Me Lies Season 2: Where Else Have You Seen These Handsome Hunks? appeared first on TV Fanatic.

Whew! Maura Tierney’s Jessica Brady pushed Law & Order Season 24 Episode 1 into a powerful new era the second she walked into a crime scene for the first time.

The way Brady took charge made it clear that this was not the same show that it had been for the past three seasons.

Brady’s new leadership, especially coupled with Baxter’s statement to the press at the beginning of the hour, added to the tension in one of the strongest episodes Law & Order has had in the past few years.

Law & Order Was The Latest Dick Wolf Show To Undergo A Leadership Change

Brady Established Herself Immediately As A Results-Oriented Boss Who Didn’t Care About Being Liked

Dealing with tough, new bosses seems to be a theme on most Dick Wolf shows this season, as Chicago Med and Chicago Fire also have stories revolving around new leadership.

In Law & Order’s case, it was badly needed, even though I’m sad to see Dixon go, especially with a disappointing exit story.

Stlll, Brady is one of the best things that could have happened to Law & Order Season 24 Episode 1.

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Brady was far more hands-on than Dixon was, jumping into both the crime scene and taking on the interrogation of a suspect.

It’s not realistic — in real life, heads of police departments do administrative and supervisory work rather than being out in the field — but it helped establish the series’ new tone, so I was all for it.

Brady’s desire to close cases rather than make friends with her detectives is symbolic of the best thing about this new era.

Brady: I’m sensing a little tension, Vince.

Riley: No tension. I just feel like you don’ trust me.

Brady: I don’t. I don’t know you.

Law & Order is supposed to be a police procedural, but in recent years it abandoned its “cases first” principles .

I’m all for there being some personal stuff so that the characters don’t feel like cardboard cutouts, but the show had gone too far in the other direction and it was messing up the pacing of the show.

Law & Order’s brand has always been showing the cops cracking tough cases and the prosecutors struggling to get convictions afterward. Period.

Law & Order Season 24 Episode 1 did a better job of finding the right balance. The pacing felt tighter, as if everyone were more focused on the case.

The show still sneaked in some social justice messages, but it was done in a way that felt more organic.

For example, the guy at the convenience store made some assumptions about Mexicans being undocumented that Shaw didn’t appreciate, but Shaw kept his annoyance within the context of getting whatever information he could from the clerk.

Instead of discussing the issue to death afterward, Shaw and Riley kept it moving, and the first half felt more like a real investigation than it had in a while.

Law & Order Season 24 Episode 1 Returned To Its Roots

It Ripped Cases From The Headlines Without Losing Focus

Law & Order has always been famous for ripping cases from the headlines, but in recent years those cases had become little more than mouthpieces for the writers’ point of view.

Not so this time.

Law & Order Season 24 Episode 1 avoided tired TV tropes associated with the show by letting the case stand on its own.

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It was a smart decision to go in the direction of a domestic violence story instead of Macy’s murder being politically motivated.

The series can comment on politics without being too political, and this episode successfully found the balance.

It referenced cases that happened in real life, including controversial ones like former President Trump’s conviction in New York for charges related to using hush money, but wasn’t so one the nose that it was obvious what the writers think about that case.

Maroun’s Law & Order Season 24 Episode 1 Story Was Powerful, But The Writers Missed An Opportunity

The Victim’s Sister Offered A Potential Plot Twist

I had my doubts when Phipps was found dead at his own hand shortly after his trial began.

It seemed too convenient.

While it was logical that a guy who realized he had no way out of doing serious time for murder might decide to end his life, on television, suicides aren’t often what they seem.

When Sarah showed dup in Maorun’s office filled with rage, it seemed like the perfect plot twist for her to have killed Phipps herself.

That would have set up an even more compelling conflict for Maroun and Price. Maroun might have wanted to look the other way because she felt the killing was justified, but the DA’s office would probably not accept that.

Maroun’s arc was powerful as it was, so I can’t complain, but Phipps’ suicide turning out to be murder would have been fun too.

As for Maroun, her trauma has never been triggered to this extent before, and I was glad Odelya Halevi finally got some meaty material to work with.

Far too often in the past, Maroun has been sidelined, getting only a few lines while Price does all the heavy lifting in the case.

This case was an improvement in another way, too: for the first time, it wasn’t an automatic win in court.

That’s something I’ve wanted for a while. It seemed like in previous seasons, it was too easy for Price to win, and he got convictions even when he shouldn’t.

This time, the prosecutors were forced to abandon their case because of an uncooperative witness who likely had been paid off to keep his mouth shut.

Instead of a happy ending, the best Price could do was comfort Maroun after talking her out of throwing away her career to try to force the witness to do the right thing.

Nolan: Sam, look at me. If you talk to him, if you even knock on his door, you will be disbarred.

Sam: I don’t care. I’m sick of these rich bastards getting away with murder.

That made for a more powerful case that was similar to the way Law & Order used to be in the 1990s.

Over to you, Law & Order fanatics. What did you think of Law & Order Season 24 Episode 1?

Vote in our poll to rate the episode, and then hit the comments with your thoughts!

Law & Order airs on NBC on Thursdays at 8/7c and on Peacock on Fridays.

The post Law & Order Season 24 Episode 1 Kicked Off A Powerful New Era By Returning To Its Roots appeared first on TV Fanatic.

It’s a new era for the NYPD Homicide Unit. If you’re curious about Maura Tierney’s Jessica Brady, our Law & Order Season 24 Episode 1 spoilers give some hints as to her direction.

Brady is taking over for Kate Dixon (Camryn Manheim), who announced she was leaving the flagship show soon after the Season 23 finale.

We also have some news about what’s coming up for embattled new DA Nicholas Baxter (Tony Goldwyn).

Lead Detective Vince Riley Isn’t Happy

Law & Order Season 24 Episode 1 Spoilers Say He And Brady Will Butt Heads In The Premiere

Whenever there’s a new boss, trouble is sure to follow.

It’s a bit of a tired TV trope at this point, so it’s unsurprising that Riley will butt heads with Jessica Brady, who has been tapped to lead the Homicide Unit now that Dixon’s gone.

Law & Order Season 24 Episode 1 spoilers don’t explain what happened to Dixon. We’ll probably get an after-the-fact explanation in dialogue, as is typical for Dick Wolf shows.

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It would be nice if the writers treated the departing characters with more respect, but it may not be their fault.

Manheim’s departure was announced after her final episode was taped, so there may not have been time to write a real departure story for her.

Still, let’s hope this isn’t yet another disappointing character exit.

I’m curious how Riley’s problem with Brady will play out, as Law & Order Season 24 Episode 1 spoilers suggest a high-profile case that leaves little time for personal animosity.

A Brooklyn Prosecutor Is Killed

Law & Order Season 24 Episode 2 Spoilers Say She Is Found Dead In Her Apartment

It’s tragic whenever anyone is killed in their apartment, a place that is supposed to be their safe haven.

On police procedurals like Law & Order, law enforcement goes into higher gear when it happens to one of their own, and this time, a Brooklyn prosecutor is murdered.

Law & Order Season 24 Episode 1 spoilers don’t provide much information about the how or why of the death.

Hopefully, it’ll occur in a short, cold open rather than the mini-movies that have characterized the beginnings of episodes in recent years.

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Spoiler photos suggest that Shaw and Riley will head to the DA’s office in Brooklyn to find out more about this woman’s work life and that their search leads them to a wealthy or well-known business.

Some photos show them in an office building that looks like a classy high-rise, and eventually, they’ll interview a bearded suspect in the interrogation room.

Of course, these investigations are never straightforward, so we can expect them to focus on at least two or three wrong suspects before they make an arrest.

This Case Will Test Leadership On Both Sides of The Justice System

Brady Isn’t The Only Leader Facing Challenges

When Law & Order Season 23 ended, new DA Nicholas Baxter was fighting for his political and personal life.

A would-be assassin had killed someone else, Baxter’s wife was angry that he let their daughter testify as a witness, and early election returns suggested he was losing.

Obviously, Baxter wins his election after all because Law & Order Season 24 Episode 1 spoilers include photos of him.

Still, all of these events have likely shaken the public’s confidence in the DA’s office. Now that another DA has been killed in another part of New York City, Baxter will be under double pressure to prove he and his team are up to the job.

It won’t be smooth sailing, either. Is it ever?

According to spoilers, Maroun must take drastic action to convince an eyewitness to come forward.

I’m unsurprised that witnesses would be reluctant to come forward in a case like this.

Anyone who would kill a district attorney in her own apartment is as fearless as they are violent and might be tied to gangs, organized crime, or other powerful people who don’t want to go to jail.

If they could brazenly kill the Brooklyn DA, what would they do to an ordinary person who speaks up against them?

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The only question here is what Maroun is going to do. Law & Order Season 24 Episode 1 spoilers are understandably vague; we need to tune in to find out.

Still, if she does anything illegal or desperate, her job could be in jeopardy.

Hopefully, this won’t repeat Chicago Med Season 10 Episode 1‘s shock firing of a character believed to be part of the returning cast. Maroun is one of the best characters in the soft reboot.

Fortunately, there are no Law & Order Season 24 Episode 1 spoilers suggesting she’s on her way out, so barring an annoying plot twist, she’ll survive whatever it is she’s planning.

Law & Order’s Premiere Will Set The Tone For The Season

It Will Be Both Different And The Same

The season premiere always sets the tone for what’s to come.

Law & Order Season 24 Episode 1 spoilers suggest we will have more of what has made us fall hard for this show for almost two and a half decades.

More big cases, more police investigations, more questionable tactics by the DA’s office, and new faces replacing some of the old ones.

Over to you, Law & Order fanatics. What do you think about these spoilers?

Hit the comments with your thoughts!

Law & Order will premiere on NBC on October 3, 2024, at 8 PM EST and be available on Peacock on October 4.

The post Law & Order Season 24 Episode 1 Spoilers Offer A Sneak Peek At Maura Tierney appeared first on TV Fanatic.

Jared Padalecki joining Fire Country has us geeking out because why wouldn’t we love a Thieriot-Padalecki bromance on our favorite surviving firefighter series? His character, Camden, will appear in three episodes of the third season with a significant purpose.

Many fans are wary of the staff addition, given that it’s a set-up for a third “Country” series, which is currently in the planning stage.

Fire Country struggled through its second season, so news of slate of spinoffs isn’t as exciting as it should be.

What’s going to happen when that universe divides into new entities?

Despite our reservations about the spinoff news, most of us are loving the dreamy possibilities of Padalecki and Thieriot as sweaty, filthy firefighter buddies. *drools*

But if we put aside the appeal of all those luscious locks, beautiful bodies, and pouty lips, we have a character development that could significantly change the Fire Country landscape.

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Who Will Jared Padalecki Play in Fire Country?

Most people remember Jared Padalecki as Sam Winchester from Supernatural or as cowboy Texas Ranger Cordell Walker in the short-lived reboot of the wildly successful ’90s series Walker, Texas Ranger.

While Jared is no Chuck Norris, his upcoming role as a Cali firefighter intrigues us. Camden will be an overly confident surfer boy adrenaline junkie with a rebel streak to match the reckless ballsy behaviors of Bode.

His maverick tendencies will spot the raw potential of his fellow firefighting fanatic. Two alphas chasing the high of heroism, potentially without the restraints of an official association with a fire department to keep them in check.

What could go wrong?

Rumor has it that Camden will be the fuel to Bode’s inferno. When the second season of Fire Country ended, Bode had just gotten out of prison.

Now he’s working construction and still playing hero as he finds himself in intense situations. He’s not scared to act as a one-man rescue crew, which could become dangerous without the restraints of North Cal FD to remind him of his mortality.

Camden recognizes Bode’s raw talent for heroism and reckless abandon for his own safety. If Camden shares the same narcissistic, adrenaline-fueled need to play hero, things could heat up fast.

How Jared Padalecki’s Character Can Change Fire Country

After the disaster of its second season, Fire Country needs a strong third season if it hopes to reclaim the success of its freshman launch. Otherwise, like many other shows, it could fall victim to a short run.

Unlike the shortened ten-episode sophomore season, FC’s third season will have a full run to tell its story. With over twenty episodes, the stories can unfold at a slower, more satisfactory pace.

Along with new faces, fans also hope to see new locales and firefighting scenarios for the show’s upcoming season.

It’s possible Padaecki’s role could help with our wish. He is a SoCal boy. While FC has focused so far on North California, we saw them traveling for a campaign fire in the second season.

So is SoCal coming to NorCal, or is NorCal headed South?

Given that the working spinoff title of Jared’s potential series is Fire Country: Surfside, we must assume the show will take us to sunny Southern California if it gets an official greenlight.

And from the recent news of a few other series, it’s starting to look like fans will spend a lot of time in the sand and surf.

Is Fire Country: Surfside a Sign of the Changing Landscape?

With many series recently on the chopping block, it’s concerning that CBS feels it’s a good time to expand the Fire Country universe with more law enforcement-themed drama shows like Sheriff Country and Surfside.

We’ve seen numerous other police shows flame out, like Padalecki’s Walker reboot, Justified, Longmire, Blue Bloods, NCIS: Hawai’i, and Hawaii Five-O.

Even some fire-fighting shows have struggled to stay on the air.

Fans are still reeling from the painful cancelation of Station 19, which still has a strong petition presence on X (formerly Twitter) under the hashtag #SaveStation19.

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The popular show 9-1-1 received a miraculous stay of execution when it moved from the Fox network to ABC. Its spinoff, 9-1-1: Lone Star, hasn’t gotten the same love and is now facing its final season.

But as old shows depart the air, it makes room for new series. We’re noticing a repeat trend that might mean a major shift for future shows.

While we’ve been seeing many dark, depressing dramas set in bustling city settings, Fire Country deviated by returning to a more rural setting without going Western.

NCIS: Hawai’i steered us towards beautiful locations and slower living. Sticking with the trend of soothing beaches and deadly oceans, TV execs have announced two new beach-themed series coming soon. Not including the Fire Country spinoff.

Most people around pre-Y2K remember the excitement surrounding one of the time’s racier (modest by today’s standards) series — Baywatch. Viewers fell in love with the beautiful people in bold red, saving lives on the beach.

The uber-successful show gave rise to the popularity of actors like Pamela Anderson and David Hasselhoff. And slow-motion running shots. IYKYK.

In 2017, we got a Baywatch remake, a raunchy, sexed-up slapstick comedy movie starring big names like Dewayne “The Rock” Johnson and Zac Effron. Overall, it left Baywatch purists unsated and hungry for more of the real thing.

Now, we’re getting a Baywatch series redemption attempt as Fox gears up for a more TV-appropriate, tamed-down reboot that pays homage to the original rescue series.

But Baywatch won’t be the only rescue crew we’ll be chilling with at the beach. Fox has added the freshman series Rescue: HI-Surf to their fall 2024 lineup.

This drama series will feature a group of lifeguards protecting the O’ahu North Shore beach.

Will We See More Shows Geared Towards the Water?

With Fox releasing two beach-themed shows and CBS headed towards a unique twist with a firefighting show taking place near the ocean, we wonder who’s next?

Will we see other networks jump ship from landlocked shows, so to speak, to create shows to compete with the upcoming oceanside series? Or will we see spinoffs of these new shows covering different locales?

The original CSI franchise did the locale spinoff best when they went from Vegas to New York to Miami.

It’s worked for series franchises like NCIS, which went from Virginia to LA, New Orleans to Hawai’i before going international with Sydney, Australia, and now Europe with the NCIS: Tony & Ziva spinoff.

But current series don’t have the same sort of luck.

After 9-1-1 succeeded, we saw the overly politically correct and diverse attempt at a Texas location in 9-1-1: Lone Star. It’s on its last season while its predecessor lives on.

We don’t have any police procedurals in or around the water. Maybe it’s time for a series focused on the Coast Guard, Harbor Patrol, or other water-based police units. Drop into our comments section and tell us where you’d like to see a series based.

Is There Enough Room in the Country Universe for Spinoffs?

While there is room in the TV lineup for new blood, with numerous series getting the axe, most viewers want something fresh.

Fire Country’s unique premise set it apart from the competition, like Chicago Fire and 9-1-1 originally. However, the uniqueness only lasted for its freshman season.

Most of us felt the uber-short second season was far too messy to impress us much. Now we know how Shania Twain felt in the ’90s.

Our affections waned as we got a taste of a new sullen bad boy with a cause on Tracker. In its freshman season, Tracker survived better with a shortened format than the returning story-forward FC series.

With that concern fresh in our subconscious, many fans worry the show is trying to create an inferno universe without first fanning the embers that will keep the fire lit.

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Does the idea of two new shows intrigue me? Sure, why wouldn’t I love adding a new series to my playlist? But is it the right time for the show to grow? Not really.

Now, I’m a glutton for series with cross-over potential. But don’t we have enough? Not every show has to become a franchise of spinoffs.

From the FBI universe to the Law & Order family, the NCIS galaxy continues to cancel long-running series to make room for new blood — hello, young Gibbs, and welcome back Tony and Ziva.

FC set up the first spinoff, Sheriff Country, during its second season with a single-episode storyline introducing Sheriff Mickey Fox (Morena Baccarin).

While it was nice seeing fresh blood on the show, her single-episode appearance didn’t do much to influence this viewer to crave an entire show on that character or its premise.

Hopefully, the show does better by introducing the Fire Country: Surfside spinoff with Padalecki’s three-episode arc.

Fire Country’s Newest Addition Could Save The Show

Fans were left with some cliffhangers as the second season ended far sooner than we wanted. While we’d expect them to tidy up these issues, they didn’t do so well with their Season 1 to Season 2 transition.

Check out our Fire Country Season 3 cast and character guide to see if your favorite firefighter is returning in October 2024.

Although Padalecki will only appear on Fire Country for a few episodes, his role could change the show’s locale, Bode’s character development, and the types of emergency calls they handle.

The role of Camden isn’t the only time you’ll see Padalecki on the screen in a recurring series capacity.

Earlier in 2024, news broke that Jared would join his on-screen brother Jensen Ackles (Supernatural) in the final season of The Boys. Cool reunion. I tried the show. Couldn’t get into it. Might have to give it a second go.

Maybe it’s because we’ve been there, seen that with a Jarsen journey. But I feel like there’s more ‘rizz potential in a Thilecki mash-up.

Besides, I’m currently under the influence of the Jenley partnership. Ackles makes the perfect mysterious brother (Russel) to the aloof Colter Shaw (Justin Hartley) in the new CBS series Tracker.

As for Jared joining Fire Country, I’m torn between loving it because it’s Jared; as if FC wasn’t hot enough with its cast of beautiful people.

And hating it because it means Jared’s character is setting up yet another spinoff of the Country universe.

Now that you’ve heard my expectations for Jared Padalecki’s role in Fire Country, tell me your thoughts in the comments.

Are you excited about him getting his own FC spinoff? Or are you over the expanded universe trend?

Watch Fire Country Online

The post How Jared Padalecki Could Change the Fire Country Landscape appeared first on TV Fanatic.

The season finale was a Baxter-centric story about catching a potential assassin while he was running to retain his position as District Attorney.

The ending was meant to be a cliffhanger that made our jaws drop to the floor, as Baxter's political fate was unknown as the credits rolled.

Let's look at what happened at the end of the episode and where things will likely go from here.

Baxter Had To Choose Between His Family And His Career

Technically, the episode was about the search for the person who had shot someone else while trying to kill Baxter during a political rally. Still, it was really about politics vs. family.

Baxter's wife wanted him to drop out of the race for Manhattan DA after the assassination attempt.

She didn't think a political job was worth risking his life and was angry that he disagreed.

This conflict took a turn for the worse when Baxter's daughter, who Tony Goldwyn's real-life daughter played, became the star witness against the killer.

In what is a bit of a tired TV trope, Carrie had seen the defendant in the crowd right before the shooting and was the only one who could identify him.

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To make matters worse, Carrie had a record, one that would be humiliating for her and her family if it were exposed, and the defense attorney was sure to do so to poke holes in her credibility. 

This was a classic conflict, though it was silly for Baxter's wife to think she had any say in what happened.

Carrie agreed to testify despite the risks, and she was an adult.

Mrs. Baxter could have been the type of villain we love to hate, doing the wrong thing for the right reason,  but she looked ridiculous.

It wasn't up to her whether Carrie testified, and her insistence that justice not be served to protect her daughter's reputation was silly.

Did she want a violent criminal who was hellbent on killing her husband on the loose instead?

Carrie's Testimony Probably Hurt Baxter's Career More Than Anything Else

The DA's office won the case against the shooter, but at what price?

Carrie was forced to admit on the stand that when she was in college, she ran someone over while drunk and that her father used his influence to get her charges reduced from a felony to a misdemeanor.

Baxter's wife stopped speaking to him after this became public, supposedly because she was angry that her daughter was humiliated.

Baxter ended the night with election results that were too close to call.

Corruption in politics is a big concern nowadays, both in fictional New York City and in the real world, so people were probably dubious about whether Baxter was the best man for the job if he did this favor for his daughter.

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However, it's not likely that Baxter will lose the election despite the odds against him.

Why Baxter Probably Isn't Done

Baxter came on board after Jack McCoy's powerful exit, and it would be silly to write him out so soon after he came.

He's worked hard this season to clarify that he is different from McCoy.

He often butts heads with Nolan Price over how to handle cases and cares more about optics than McCoy ever did.

These compelling conflicts give new life to a show that had fallen into a rut.

As incredible as Sam Waterson was, the writing for his character was not great toward the end of his run, and he seemed to have the same conversation with Nolan in every episode.

Hiring a new DA so soon after Baxter's first appearance wouldn't make sense.

It was a lot to ask of viewers to accept a new DA in McCoy's place without making them do it all over again as Season 24 begins.

In addition, there's been no news about Tony Goldwyn leaving Law & Order, so Baxter will likely win his election.

However, it may take a few episodes to count votes, or there may be questions about who the incoming DA is during the first few stories of the new season.

Why Didn't Dixon Get an Exit Story?

Camryn Manheim announced she was leaving soon after the 500th episode of Law & Order, yet nothing special happened for her character on the season finale.

Dixon helped direct the investigation, clarified how important it was to solve this case, and disappeared from the screen, never to be seen again.

The decision to proceed without Manheim was likely made at the last minute after the episode was written and filmed. Season 24 will likely begin with a new person heading the unit and an explanation in dialogue about where Dixon disappeared to.

Related: Disappointing and Downright Offensive Character Exits

Those kinds of exits never work, and neither do planned endings, but at least Dixon wasn't killed in the line of duty, so she can visit occasionally if the story wants it.

Over to you, Law & Order fanatics. Do you think Baxter will be back, and do you want him to be? Were you hoping for an actual exit for Dixon?

Hit the big, blue SHOW COMMENTS button and let us know.

Law & Order Season 23 is streaming on Peacock. Season 24 will air on NBC on Thursdays at 8/7c and premiere in the fall of 2024.

The post Law & Order Season 23 Ending Explained: Why Baxter’s Fate Is Unknown and What Will Likely Happen appeared first on TV Fanatic.

Thanks to that break, sister show Law & Order: SVU has pulled ahead by two seasons.

Still, Law & Order is one of NBC’s most iconic shows, from its “dun dun” chime between scenes to its filming on location in New York City. It’s high time for a cast and character guide to help you keep track of who you can expect to see (and not see!) during Law & Order Season 24.

Two Characters Are Not Coming Back

Many viewers were shocked when Jack McCoy (Sam Waterson) left Law & Order after over 400 episodes.

Waterson had been with the series since Season 4 and was probably more closely identified with it than any other character.

Related: Sam Waterston Exits Law & Order With a Powerful Jack McCoy Story

Waterson’s exit was dramatic and surprising enough, but then Camryn Manheim announced she would not return for the 24th season.

Manheim has played Lieutenant Kate Dixon since the 2021 continuation of Law & Order began.

We don’t know who will replace her.

However, there are several characters we know are coming back. Please scroll down to check out the complete list!

Mehcad Brooks as Detective Jalen Shaw

Jalen Shaw has been part of the investigative team since Law & Order Season 22, replacing Anthony Anderson’s Kevin Bernard. 

Shaw is one of the most interesting cops the series has had in recent years.

He is a former defense attorney who knows the ins and outs of the law, frowns upon using questionable tactics to get confessions, and is painfully aware of the way the legal system is stacked against Black suspects.

He is not one to suffer fools gladly and nearly lost his job in retaliation for making a complaint against some white patrol officers who mistook him for a suspect because of the color of his skin.

Unfortunately, he had to drop his complaint because the fact that he didn’t comply with their orders to get on the ground undermined his claim that they used excessive force in subduing him.

Despite experiences like that (and occasionally having to rein in his white partners), Shaw generally has a positive attitude toward work and life.

If he looks familiar, it’s probably because he has played several roles before this one, most notably James Olsen on Supergirl.

Brooks also played against another face familiar to Law & Order fanatics on Necessary Roughness, which co-starred Callie Thorne as a psychologist who worked with athletes whose mental blocks were interfering with their ability to play their best (or at all).

In that series, Brooks played football champion TK King, who had an elevated sense of his abilities and importance.

Necessary Roughness Exclusive: Mehcad Brooks on TK’s Antics, Season 2 Drama

Nowadays, he plays the guy on Law & Order who would be most likely to question King and not accept any BS from him! 

Vincent Riley (Reid Scott)

Riley is the newest addition to the Law & Order team. He came on board at the beginning of the 23rd season, replacing Frank Cosgrove (Jeffery Donovan).

Riley is somewhat of an enigma. We don’t know much, if anything, about his family life, but we do know that he got in trouble some years ago on the job thanks to his drinking and a misguided sense of loyalty.

Alcoholic cops who abuse their power when drunk are a tired TV trope, but Riley is a bit different. He punched another cop while trying to stand up for Dixon, who was being mistreated and was suspended for six months.

Riley still has some of those impulse control issues; Shaw has had to stop him from beating up suspects or pulling out his gun unnecessarily from time to time.

Reid Scott is a versatile actor; he plays an entirely different character on Amazon Prime’s The Idea of You. In that movie, he’s a sleazy ex-husband who dislikes his wife dating a celebrity now that she’s done with him.

Like Mehcad Brooks, Scott has starred with Law & Order alums before.

One of his first roles was in the series My Boys, which co-starred Jordan Spirano (most recently seen as Agent Shannah Sykes on Law & Order: SVU)

Related: Law & Order SVU Season 26: Cast & Character Guide

Outside of Law & Order, Scott is best known for his roles in Veep and The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel. 

Hopefully, he’ll continue portraying Riley as a complex, multi-layered character for years!

Nicholas Baxter (Tony Goldwyn)

Tony Goldwyn’s Nicholas Baxter has big shoes to fill. He is replacing Sam Waterson’s Jack McCoy as the Manhattan District Attorney.

So far, Baxter seems to resent comparisons with McCoy and is determined to be his own person.

He often butts heads with Executive Assistant District Attorney Nolan Price, not only on case strategy but on whether Price is unfairly comparing him to McCoy.

His insistence that Price has already written him off as “not as good as McCoy” may be projection. It’s got to be hard to follow in the footsteps of a legend!

Related: Law & Order Season 24: Everything We Know So Far About the Latest Season of NBC’s Iconic Crime Drama

Law & Order Season 23 ended with a cliffhanger: Baxter does not know yet whether he won the election for District Attorney and is apparently behind in the vote tally.

However, as far as we know, Tony Goldwyn is returning for Season 24, so Baxter will likely win in the end.

If we had to say goodbye to Sam Waterson, Tony Goldwyn was probably the best actor Law & Order could get to replace him.

He is an accomplished actor best known for playing President Fitzgerald Grant III in ABC’s Scandal.

Many viewers wonder whether his character on Law & Order will soon display a more ruthless side.

Goldwyn also played Harold Nixon in the 1995 biopic Nixon, so he has a penchant for political characters.

Baxter has also shown himself to have far more taste for politics than Jack McCoy ever did, seemingly sacrificing his family for his run for the DA’s office.

It’ll be fascinating to find out what his character is up to during season 24.

Executive Assistant District Attorney Nolan Price (Hugh Dancy)

As Executive Assistant District Attorney, Price sits first chair in most investigations and decides trial strategy.

He constantly disagrees with his boss about how to proceed.

McCoy and Baxter were concerned about whether Price could win during previous seasons, though McCoy trusted his judgment far more than Baxter did.

Related: Is The Formula That Made The Original Law & Order a Success Outdated Now?

Price tends to pull off miracle wins — half the time, it seems like the case is a lost cause, only for him to be able to get another conviction at the last second.

Hopefully, that will change in Season 24, as it gives Law & Order a Perry Mason-like quality that doesn’t fit the seriousness of its brand.

Hugh Dancy is a well-known British actor. He’s from across the pond despite his convincing American accent on Law & Order.

He starred in several British series before getting gigs in America (sadly, Law & Order: UK was not among them).

He also played an autistic character in the movie Adam, about a romance between an autistic man and a neurotypical woman.

Law & Order is his third series; you might also recognize him as Will Graham from Hannibal or Cal Roberts in Hulu’s The Path.

Assistant District Attorney Samantha Maroun (Odeyla Halevi)

Samantha Maroun is the newest and youngest member of the prosecution team. 

She provides a unique perspective as a Lebanese woman, often clashing with Nolan because she champions feminist causes.

She also often identifies with immigrants, especially from the Middle East or other marginalized people.

She had a sister who was killed (which seems to be a theme in Dick Wolf shows lately!), and that fuels her passion for justice. 

Although Maroun is Lebanese, the actress who plays her is originally from Israel. Her family emigrated there to escape persecution in Yemen.

Halevi came to Los Angeles when she was nineteen to pursue her acting dream. She has appeared in several other television series besides Law & Order.

Related: Law & Order’s Odelya Halevi Chats About Working on Her Dream Show

Outside Law & Order, Halevi is best known as the original actress who played Angelica on Good Trouble.

Maura Tierney Joins Law & Order as New Series Regular

Maura Tierney will be making her Law & Order debut in Season 24 as a new lieutenant.

Several cast members have departed since the series rebooted a few years ago, and while we have no other information about her character, we’re excited to see what she brings to the series.

You know her from ER, The Affair, and American Rust. She even had a small role in this summer’s blockbuster, Twisters.

What Guest Stars Will Appear On Law & Order?

Law & Order is known for having a steady stream of guest stars, both well-known and new to the industry, playing victims, judges, and defense attorneys.

This show is so closely tied to New York that many New York-based actors dream of snagging a guest role, and often, people who are well-known for other things pop up on this show.

Do you have an actor you fervently hope makes a guest appearance? Who is your favorite of the currently airing cast?

Let us know in the comments below!

Law & Order Season 24 will air on NBC on Thursdays at 8/7c in the fall of 2024. New episodes will stream on Peacock the next day.

The post Law & Order Season 24 Cast and Character Guide appeared first on TV Fanatic.

The flagship cop/legal drama took a hiatus between 2010 and 2021, but it’ll be kicking off NBC’s Thursday night marathon of crime dramas again this fall.

That means more cases ripped from the headlines, more of Price butting heads with the new DA, and probably more miraculous last-minute wins in the courtroom.

The flagship series hasn’t deviated much from the formula that made Law & Order successful in the 1990s. The cops still investigate a case straight out of recent news, usually a murder, and then turn the defendant over to the DA’s office to be prosecuted.

Nowadays, there’s more diversity in the police and legal sides of the criminal justice system than when Law & Order first began, and there’s less ambiguity in the courtroom.

Sam Waterson Exits Law & Order With a Powerful Jack McCoy Story

Various cops have investigated homicides since the series returned, with partners coming and going, but the law side has remained remarkably stable.

Audiences were shocked when Sam Waterson left during Season 23 after over 400 episodes of Law & Order.

Still, Nolan Price and Samantha Maroun have been the assistant district attorneys since the reboot’s first episode, which is likely to continue during Season 24. 

Let’s look at what’s coming up for our favorite cops and lawyers. (This post will be updated as more information becomes available, so bookmark it.)

Has Law & Order Been Renewed?

Law & Order and Law & Order: SVU were both renewed on March 21, 2024.

This news was unsurprising, though there was some drama around the renewal of sister show Law & Order: Organized Crime, which has now been resolved. 

The original Law & Order was never in danger and will return for its 24th season in the fall of 2024.

What Happened at the End of Law & Order Season 23?

The 23rd season ended on somewhat of a cliffhanger, with new DA Nicholas Baxter (Tony Goldwyn) waiting to hear election night results after finishing a challenging case involving someone who wanted to assassinate him.

Getting justice for a killer who took someone else’s life while gunning for Baxter during a political event meant Baxter’s daughter testifying as to what she saw.

This exposed her to public humiliation, as she had to admit on the stand she had a criminal record for causing a fatal accident while driving under the influence of alcohol.

Baxter wanted justice at all costs, and his daughter wanted to testify despite her record. However, Baxter’s wife was disgusted and didn’t come to his election night party, so that relationship is probably toast.

On election night, Baxter said he hoped the numbers turned around before the end of the evening, suggesting he was trailing his opponent, but the scene faded to black before the final vote tally, so we don’t yet know if he won the election.

What Storylines Can We Expect on Law & Order Season 24?

The series needs to resolve Baxter’s election. It’s unlikely that he will lose since, as far as we know, Tony Goldwyn is remaining on Law & Order.

There could be a hotly contested election or one that takes days to determine the winner, which could be an intriguing subplot as the DA’s office scrambles to fight for justice while it isn’t clear who the next DA will be.

In the meantime, the cop side of the show will likely continue to involve plenty of social justice subplots and ripped-from-the-headlines crimes.

Shaw and Riley may continue to butt heads over their policing styles and attitudes toward perps, and we can be sure that there will be twists and turns in every investigation before the cops find the guilty party each week.

Which Cast Members Will Be Returning for Law & Order Season 24?

A week before the 23rd season finale (Law & Order Season 23 Episode 13), Camryn Manheim surprised everyone by announcing that she will not be returning as Lieutenant Kate Dixon.

Manheim has played Dixon for three years. Her character was in charge of the homicide unit and often directed the detectives on how to proceed with the case.

Her exit means the show will need a new head of the unit.

Dann Florek originally played this role, whose Captain Don Cragen was then transferred to Law & Order: SVU and replaced by Anita Van Buren (S. Epatha Merkerson).

Merkerson now plays Sharon Goodwin on Chicago Med, so a completely new person will have to be brought in to lead the homicide division. It’s not yet known who that person will be.

No other cast changes have been announced so far, so the rest of the main cast is likely returning:

Law Enforcement Side

• Mechad Brooks as Detective Jalen Shaw
• Reid Scott as Detective Vincent Riley
• Connie Shi as Detective Violet Yee

Prosecutor Side

• Hugh Dancy as Executive Assistant District Attorney Nolan Price
• Tony Goldwyn as District Attorney Nicholas Baxter
• Odelya Halevi as Assistant District Attorney Samantha Maroun

Maura Tierney has also joined Law & Order in a series regular role as a new lieutenant. When we know more about it, we’ll add the information here!

You can also expect a wide variety of guest stars in each episode.

Both well-known and first-time actors have been known to play victims, suspects, judges, and defense attorneys.

Will There Be Any Crossover Episodes with Other Law & Order Shows?

There were no crossovers during Law & Order Season 23, but that might have been because all three Law & Order shows had shortened TV seasons thanks to the writers’ and actors’ strikes.

If it fits the storyline, there’s no reason there couldn’t be a crossover.

In addition to full-fledged crossovers, there could be cameo appearances by characters from other shows in the franchise.

For example, the detectives could consult briefly with Law & Order: SVU’s Olivia Benson about a case involving rape or sexual assault.

Law & Order: Organized Crime’s Renewal Comes With a Major Change That Is Perfect for The Series

Although Law & Order: Organized Crime is moving to Peacock, NBC’s ownership of Peacock shouldn’t preclude crossover appearances on other Law & Order shows.

When Will Law & Order Season 24 Premiere?

Law & Order Season 24 will premiere on October 3, 2024, at 8/7c, followed by Law & Order: SVU at 9/8c. (We still don’t have any info about when Law & Order: Organized will premiere, other than it will be on Peacock.)

This is slightly later than usual, as Law & Order traditionally premieres at the end of September.

How Many Episodes Will Law & Order Season 24 Have?

We don’t know the exact number of episodes yet, but most seasons have 22 episodes (except the shortened strike season.)

Is There a Trailer for Law & Order Season 24?

We don’t have a trailer yet, but we will update this post once one is released!

The post Law & Order Season 24: Everything We Know So Far About the Latest Season of NBC’s Iconic Crime Drama appeared first on TV Fanatic.