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The longest-serving main cast members of the original series include Jerry Orbach as Det. Lennie Briscoe (1992–2004), S. Epatha Merkerson as Lt. Anita Van Buren (1993–2010), and Sam Waterston as EADA/DA Jack McCoy (1994–2010, 2022–2024).
NamePortrayed ByPositionSeasons(1)SergeantMJr. DetectiveMainCaptainMainEADAMain- Mariska Hargitay (Olivia Benson) Mariska Hargitay’s Captain Olivia Benson has always been at the center of Law & Order: SVU, and after Christopher Meloni left the show, she became the de facto main character in a stacked ensemble cast.
- Christopher Meloni (Elliot Stabler) While Law & Order: SVU has an impressive ensemble cast, Christopher Meloni’s character Elliot Stabler — and his relationship with Mariska Hargitay’s Olivia Benson — arguably formed the heart and soul of the show.
- Ice-T (Fin Tutuola) Tracy Lauren Marrow, a.k.a. Ice-T, remains one of the most consistently appealing parts of Law & Order: SVU. His Sergeant Fin Tutuola is tough and no-nonsense, possessing street smarts that many of his colleagues lack, which often helps him crack cases that others can’t.
- Kelli Giddish (Amanda Rollins) Given how much New York life is at the heart of Law & Order: SVU, it’s always interesting to see Kelli Giddish’s Amanda Rollins onscreen.
The cast of seasons 19–20 (2018–2019). From left to right: Peter Scanavino, Kelli Giddish, Mariska Hargitay, Ice-T, and Philip Winchester. Law & Order: Special Victims Unit, a spin-off of the crime drama Law & Order, follows the detectives who work in the "Special Victims Unit" of the 16th Precinct of the New York City Police Department, a ...
CharacterPortrayed ByPositionSeasons(1)Sr. DetectiveMainJr. Detective (S1–12) Sr. Detective ...MainSr. Detective (S1–8) Sergeant ...MainCaptain (S1–15)MainSep 14, 2020 · While Mariska Hargitay has portrayed Detective Olivia Benson for over 20 years, several central characters have come and gone from the crime drama.
- Mariska Hargitay — 555+ Episodes
- Ice T — 515+ Episodes
- Sam Waterston — 405+ Episodes
- Dann Florek — 400+ Episodes
- S. Epatha Merkerson — 390+ Episodes
- Christopher Meloni — 330+ Episodes
- Richard Belzer — 330+ Episodes
- Jerry Orbach — 275+ Episodes
- Leslie Hendrix — 260+ Episodes
- Kelli Giddish — 260+ Episodes
Actress Mariska Hargitay plays the iconic Olivia Benson on Law & Order: Special Victims Unit, though her character has crossed over to several other shows within the Law & Orderuniverse. A staple of the Law & Order universe who has appeared in more episodes than any other actor, it is almost impossible to imagine the shows existing without Hargitay...
Odafin "Fin" Tutuola has been portrayed by actor Ice-T in Law & Order: Special Victims Unit for more than two decades, though his character has appeared in other Law & Order-related programs. Before joining the world of Law & Order, Ice-T was well-known as a rapper, songwriter, and producer. Not only is Ice-T one of the earliest pioneers in rap, bu...
Sam Waterston, an actor and producer, portrays Jack McCoy in Law & Order, though he is also known for his work in the films Serial Mom and The Great Gatsby. Waterston frequently portrays Abraham Lincoln (three times) and other United States Presidents. He has recently been in The Newsroom, On the Basis of Sex, and Grace and Frankie. In 1984, Waters...
Dann Florek took on the role of Captain Cragen when Law & Order originally aired in 1990, but left the series in its third year. Florek returned in 1999 with a comeback on Law & Order: Special Victims Unit. Overall, he has exercised his supervisory authority on screen for around two-and-a-half decades. Outside of Law & Order, Dann Florek has a long...
S. Epatha Merkerson has been known as the astute and cunning Lieutenant Anita Van Buren on the long-running television show Law & Order since 1993. Merkerson has the distinction of being a past NAACP Image Award nominee for Law & Orderfor three consecutive years. While her career in television started with a guest role on an episode of The Cosby Sh...
Christopher Meloni came into his own as the unconventional criminal investigator Elliot Stabler on the hit drama Law & Order: Special Victims Unit. Meloni was already a breakout sensation on the small screen on both sides of the law at the time. He originally captured viewers with his emotionally appealing characterization of a psychopathic killer ...
Richard Belzeris known for the character of John Munch on Law & Order: Special Victims Unit, which he played from 2011 to 2016. Belzer was nominated for Favorite Scene Stealing Star at the 2008 People's Choice Awards as well as Best Support Actor at the 2010 Hoboken International Film Festival. Richard Belzer's Detective John Munch first appeared o...
For nearly 12 years, Jerry Orbach played the wise-cracking Leonard "Lennie" Briscoe on Law & Order and its spinoffs. His other performances in other movies and television shows run the spectrum, from Beauty and the Beast, to Murder, She Wrote, and even Dirty Dancing. He received three Primetime Emmy nominations throughout his lengthy career. Sadly,...
Leslie Hendrix played Dr. Elizabeth Rodgers, the medical examiner, in the original Law & Order and several of its spinoffs. Hendrix's most recent films are Sleeping with Danger, Power Book II: Ghost, Ann Rule's A Murder to Remember, and About a Teacher. Hendrix is also known for her contributions to the theater. She made her Broadway debut in 1992 ...
Kelli Giddish has the distinction of playing more than one recurring character in the Law & Order franchise. Law & Order: Special Victims Unit Season 8, Episode 12, "Outsider," featured the actress in the role of a rape victim. She was later given the starring role of Detective Amanda Rollins in Law & Order: Special Victims Unitand other of the sho...
- Evergreen Writer
May 31, 2023 · The Law & Order franchise has been going strong since 1990, so check out which actors have appeared in the most episodes over the decades!
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Among the longest-running main cast members are Steven Hill as District Attorney Adam Schiff (seasons 1–10), Jerry Orbach as Detective Lennie Briscoe (seasons 3–14), S. Epatha Merkerson as Lieutenant Anita Van Buren (seasons 4–20), Sam Waterston as District Attorney Jack McCoy (season 5–23; formerly Executive Assistant District Attorney), and Je...
