Law & Order: The Pioneer
Law & Order, the original series, is a groundbreaking American television show that first aired in 1990. Like any long-running successful series, there are many fascinating behind-the-scenes details about its creation.
Who Is Dick Wolf?
Before creating Law & Order, Wolf worked as a television writer and producer. Wolf contributed to various shows, including Hill Street Blues and Miami Vice.
Wolf: Early Work
Even before writing cop shows, Wolf had a notable career in advertising. He worked as a copywriter and creative director for several prominent advertising agencies.
Wolf Entertainment, Law & Order (1990)
Wolf’s Vision
Wolf's vision of blending the elements of police procedural and courtroom drama into a single series was novel in the ‘90s. Gritty, realistic characters focused on their personal and professional struggles needed to shine.
Wolf Entertainment, Law & Order (1990)
Wolf’s Innovative Approach To Television
Wolf's approach to Law & Order is renowned for its innovative blend of the difficult work of New York’s finest and courtroom drama. His concept is the foundation of the show and its many spinoffs.
Wolf Entertainment, Low and Order (1990-)
Capturing The Audience's Attention: The Name
Law & Order had a few names before arriving at its famous moniker.
Day & Night was one suggestion intended to reflect the show's structure.
Justice was another early contender for the show's title.
Wolf Entertainment, Law & Order (1990)
Capturing The Audience's Attention: Music
TV theme music is crucial in establishing a show's identity and creating an immediate emotional connection with the audience. Mike Post successfully did just that.
Wolf Entertainment, Law & Order (1990)
Capturing The Audience's Attention: Signature Theme
Post's distinctive music became iconic and instantly recognizable, and the theme's tone became associated with the Law & Order brand of drama.
Wolf Entertainment, Law & Order (1990)
A Novel Approach: A Consistent Episode Format
The production model of Law & Order is notable for its structured and efficient approach. Each episode always had the same essential elements.
Wolf Entertainment, Law & Order (1990)
A Novel Approach: Dual Structure Episodes
Each episode followed a distinctive format, dividing the narrative into two halves—one focusing on the initial investigation and the other on the legal proceedings. This structure was novel in 1990s sitcoms.
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A Novel Approach: The Formula
Law & Order has a formulaic structure, with each episode adhering to a pattern. The formula makes it easy for viewers to follow, including the 'dun-dun' sound for scene transitions.
Wolf Entertainment, Law & Order (1990)
A Novel Approach: Realistic Portrayals
Emphasizing realism, Law & Order often drew on actual cases and legal practices. Some actors, like Chris Noth, playing Detective Mike Logan, shadowed real New York detectives. This authenticity contributed to the show's credibility and appeal.
Wolf Entertainment, Law & Order (1990)
A Novel Approach: Consultants
The show employed real-life legal consultants, including former prosecutors and defense attorneys. Using real professionals helped the show accurately depict courtroom procedures and legal terminology.
Wolf Entertainment, Law & Order (1990)
Writing: Rigorous Approach To Storylines
The show's writing team, led by Wolf, was known for its rigorous script creation. They often ensured that episodes engagingly reflected real-life legal issues.
Wolf Entertainment, Law & Order
Writing: Ripped From The Headlines
The show's format was unique, inspired by actual headlines and real-life cases, though it never directly copied them.
Wolf Entertainment, Law & Order (1990)
On Set: Filming Location
Law & Order is known for its authentic portrayal of New York City. It was the only 1990s show filmed exclusively on location in various parts of the city, including actual courtrooms and cop stations!
Wolf Entertainment, Law & Order (1990)
Casting: An Ensemble Cast
Many TV shows of the early 1990s still centered around more traditional formats, with one or two main characters. Law & Order was one of a few early shows featuring an ensemble cast.
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Casting: Iconic Roles
Many actors who appeared on the show became closely associated with their roles. For instance, Jerry Orbach, who played Detective Lennie Briscoe, was praised for his performance and remained a fan favourite.
Wolf Entertainment, Law & Order (1990)
Casting: No Guarantee
Chris Noth was not a shoo-in for the part he made famous, Detective Mike Logan. Michael Madsen was initially considered.
Wolf Entertainment, Law & Order (1990)
Casting: The Importance Of A Good Fit
Producers felt Noth fit better on screen with George Dzundza. Dzundza played Sergeant Max Greevey in the first couple of seasons of the show.
Wolf Entertainment, Law & Order (1990)
Casting: A Family Affair
Sometimes, family members were called on to assist the series. Jill Hennessey's identical twin sister Jacqueline stood in for her during some scenes.
Wolf Entertainment, Law & Order (1990)
Casting: Future Famous Guest Stars
Law & Order gave early roles to several actors who later achieved significant fame. Sarah Paulson, Philip Seymour-Hoffman, Jennifer Garner, Allison Janney, Clare Danes, Isaiah Washington, and Amanda Peet are just a few.
Wolf Entertainment, Law & Order (1990)
Casting: Future Famous Guest Stars
“I didn't know they were on that show!” Courtney B Vance, Chandra Wilson, Emma Rossum, Peter Facinelli, Laura Linney, and Sebastian Stan (yup, the Winter Soldier himself) all got some of their earliest screen credits with the original Law & Order series.
Wolf Entertainment, Law & Order (1990)
Casting: Repeat Offenders
Some Law & Order guest stars returned so frequently they were called "repeat offenders".
Wolf Entertainment, Law & Order (1990)
Repeat Offenders: Jerry Orbach
Although Orbach is best known for his role as Detective Lennie Briscoe, he also appeared as Frank Lehrmann, a defense attorney, about a year before he began his storied tenure as Briscoe.
Wolf Entertainment, Law & Order (1990)
Repeat Offenders: Edie Falco
Falco gained early recognition, first appearing as Sally Bell in 1993. She returned to the role for additional appearances in 1994, 1997, and 1998.
Wolf Entertainment, Law & Order (1990)
Repeat Offenders: Chris Messina
Messina's screen acting career began in 1995 with a role on the show where he portrayed Tommy Bell. He returned to the show in 1996 as Kevin Turner and in 2003 as Don Cushman.
iDominick, CC BY-SA 2.0, Wikimedia Commons
Guests Who Became Permanent: Sam Waterston
Guest roles on Law & Order sometimes turned into permanent gigs. Sam Waterston's role as Jack McCoy is a prominent example. Waterston initially appeared as a guest star but eventually joined the cast as a regular character.
Wolf Entertainment, Law & Order (1990)
One And Done Characters: DA Wentworth
Law & Order's original district attorney only appeared in one episode. Alfred Wentworth, played by actor Roy Thinnes, was the DA for only the pilot episode.
One And Done Characters: Detective Cerreta
Paul Sorvino played Detective Phil Cerreta on Law & Order. Cerreta is a partner to Detective Mike Logan. Sorvino's character left the series after only one season.
Wolf Entertainment, Law & Order (1990)
Characters Lost In The Line Of Duty
Only three significant characters were lost while in the line of duty during the 20 years Law & Order was in production. That, in and of itself, is impressive, considering the show was full of ne'er-do-wells!
Wolf Entertainment, Law & Order (1990)
Characters Lost In The Line Of Duty: Sergeant Max Greevey
Greevey only appeared in the first season and departed in the premiere of Season 2. His storyline involved police officers' homicides, which added a dramatic and realistic element to the series.
Wolf Entertainment, Law & Order (1990)
Characters Lost In The Line Of Duty: ADA Claire Kincaid
Claire Kincaid was involved in a severe car accident while on her way to the courthouse. An intoxicated driver caused the crash.
Wolf Entertainment, Law & Order (1990)
Characters Lost In The Line Of Duty: ADA Alexandra Borgia
Annie Parisse plays Borgia, who is abducted by a suspect in a case she was prosecuting. The Season 16 premiere reveals her passing.
Wolf Entertainment, Law & Order (1990)
From The Very Beginning
While no single actor was present in every episode due to cast changes over the show's long run, four people have credits in every Law & Order episode.
Wolf Entertainment, Law & Order (1990)
Longevity: Long-Running Success
Over its 20-season run, the show became a cultural touchstone, influencing numerous other series and earning a lasting legacy in television history.
Wolf Entertainment, Law & Order (1990)
Longevity: Spinoffs And The Expanding The Law & Order Universe
The success of Law & Order led to several spinoffs, including Law & Order: SVU and Law & Order: Criminal Intent. Each spinoff built on the original's success and expanded the franchise's universe.
Wolf Entertainment, Law & Order: SVU (1999)
Law & Order's Love For New York City
Wolf's decision to base Law & Order in New York City positively impacted the city by contributing to the local economy and entertainment industry.
Law & Order's Love For New York City: Local Employment
Wolf's hired local crew members and talent, providing jobs for New Yorkers in various roles, from production assistants to actors. Wolf helped support the local economy and gave opportunities to many in the entertainment industry.
Aurelien Guichard, CC BY-SA 2.0, Wikimedia Commons
Law & Order's Love For New York City: Economic Boost
Law & Order brought considerable financial benefits to New York City by filming there. The show's production spending contributed to local businesses, such as hotels, restaurants, and equipment rental companies.
Law & Order's Love For New York City: Promotional Value
The show's portrayal of New York City helped promote the city as a vibrant and diverse backdrop for television, enhancing its reputation as a central hub for film and television production. This, in turn, attracted other productions and bolstered the local industry.
I, Laslovarga, CC BY-SA 3.0, Wikimedia Commons
Awards: The Series
The series received numerous awards, including the 1997 Emmy Award for Best Drama Series and a Golden Globe.
Missouri Historical Society, Flickr
Awards: S Epatha Merkerson
S Epatha Merkerson won a Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Miniseries or a Movie for her role as Lieutenant Anita Van Buren. She also set a TV record for a Black actor.
Wolf Entertainment, Law & Order (1990)
Awards: Jerry Orbach
Jerry Orbach received a Primetime Emmy Award nomination for his role as Detective Lennie Briscoe. He was highly acclaimed for his portrayal and contributed significantly to the show's success.
Wolf Entertainment, Law & Order (1990)
Awards: Sam Waterston
Sam Waterston received critical acclaim and multiple nominations for his role as ADA Jack McCoy. Though he did not win an Emmy for this role, his performance was integral to the show's success.
Wolf Entertainment, Law & Order (1990)
Awards: Michael Moriarty
Michael Moriarty won a Golden Globe Award for Best Actor in a Television Series–Drama for his portrayal of ADA Ben Stone.
Wolf Entertainment, Law & Order (1990)
The 'Dun Dun' Sound
The iconic 'dun dun' sound effect in Law & Order signals the transition between scenes. This sound is a distinctive auditory trademark of the series.
Wolf Entertainment, Law & Order (1990)
Creating Dun Dun
The sound was created by sampling the noise of a door slamming shut, the impact of a man banging an anvil with a hammer, and various drum noises that Post's team experimented with in the studio.
Wolf Entertainment, Law & Order (1990)
The Dun Dun Myth
The Law & Order's 'dun dun' sound includes 500 Japanese men stamping their feet. What? Really? Myth or fact?
Wolf Entertainment, Law & Order (1990)
The Dun Dun Facts
Post felt that his 'dun-dun' needed more "heft," so he added a sound recording of 100 men stomping on a wooden floor in Japan to enhance it. Fact!
Wolf Entertainment, Law & Order
Law & Order's Legacy
With its compelling storytelling and distinct format of showcasing both the investigation and prosecution of crimes, Law & Order is a landmark in TV history. It continues to influence countless shows and define the genre.
