When the original Law & Order premiered in September 1990, no one thought it would become one of TV’s longest running and most successful franchises. However, here we are seven series later and it’s a television staple. Yes, the shows have their detractors as some episodes have not aged well, but if you tell me you’ve never been sucked into an afternoon binge, I’m calling you a liar.
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One of the most fun things about the franchise is that it’s been around so long, you can spot many of your favorite actors making early career guest appearances. With the original coming back to the lineup, it is definitely time to look at the stars you forgot guest starred on Law & Order.
Michael B. Jordan – Criminal Intent Season 9 Episode 15 “Inhumane Society”
Between his time on All My Children and his breakout role in Fruitvale Station, Michael B. Jordan made the procedural rounds appearing in episodes of Cold Case, CSI, Bones and yes, Criminal Intent. In a classic “ripped from the headlines” scenario, Jordan plays a boxer whose career was derailed by his involvement in a dog fighting ring. The actor doesn’t get much to do here, other than serve as the misdirect before the real killer is revealed, but he absolutely has presence in every scene, because that much star power cannot be turned off.
Viola Davis – Criminal Intent Season 1 Episode 20 “Badge” and SVU Season 4, 6, 8, 9, 10
Before she began recurring on SVU as defense attorney Donna Emmett, the Academy Award winner gave a standout performance in the Criminal Intent Season 1 episode “Badge.” As corrupt cop Sgt. Terry Randolph Davis read Vincent D’Onofrio’s Det. Goren so thoroughly we almost wanted her to get away with everything. However, she did kill a family to keep her pension scheme under wraps, so we couldn’t exactly root for her. One thing is clear from this 2002 outing, Davis was destined to give nothing but memorable performances, no matter what stage or screen she’s on.
Daveed Diggs – SVU Season 17 Episode 5 “Community Policing” Season 17 Episode 13 “Forty-One Witnesses”
The Snowpiercer star made two appearances on SVU as civil rights attorney Louis Henderson. He battled the Special Victims Unit when police killed the wrong suspect in a rape case. It’s common knowledge that Law & Order casts all the Broadway actors, so he co-stars with his Hamilton pals Leslie Odom Jr. in “Community Policing” and Anthony Ramos in “Forty-One Witnesses.”
Idris Elba and Kerry Washington – Law & Order Season 12 Episode 9 “3 Dawg Night”
Stop me if you’ve heard this one. A famous actress and her rapper boyfriend flee a nightclub after a mysterious shooting, for which no one has any answers. That’s right, this is the JLo/Diddy scandal episode. A pre-The Wire Idris Elba has a quick scene as a DJ forced to be a witness, while Kerry is the up and coming actress. If you haven’t seen it, I won’t spoil it, but it’s one of the series’ best, and deserves a rewatch.
Whoopi Goldberg – SVU Season 17 Episode 4 “Institutional Fail” and Criminal Intent Season 5 Episode 20 “To the Bone”
Because she’s so well-known now for co-hosting The View, it’s easy to forget that Whoopi Goldberg is a really good actress. In two wildly different performances she reminded viewers that she still has it. In SVU she was a remorseful social worker whose huge caseload and inattentiveness led to a child’s death. Over on Criminal Intent, Whoopi was chilling as a foster mother who taught her boys how to rob and kill. Her lack of remorse was scary, as was the way she completely manipulated Logan during her interrogation.
Serena Williams – SVU Season 5 Episode 12 “Brotherhood”
Perhaps the most surprising name on this list is 22 time Grand Slam champion and tennis GOAT Serena Williams. She pops up as one of the women victimized by a man running a revenge porn site. As much as I love Serena, I’m not about to praise her acting range. This is clearly one of those SVU stunt castings they can hype up all week to juice the numbers. And while I don’t have the figures in front of me, I’m guessing it worked. Plus, Serena can do whatever she wants, because she’s Serena.
Snoop Dogg – SVU Season 20 Episode 22 “Diss”
Snoop Dogg guest stars as a rapper suspected of assaulting his rival’s wife. Yes, he really stretches himself here, playing a rapper. There are times in this episode where it feels like he’s doing a heightened version of himself. Honestly, we’re not surprised Snoop appeared on SVU, we’re surprised it took so long, because he’s a superfan.
Laverne Cox – Law & Order Season 19 Episode 6 “Sweetie” and SVU Season 9 Episode 16 “Closet”
Both of Cox’s appearances fit into the established Law & Order formula. There’s always a friend/bartender/random party guest who points the cops in the right direction, and also looks sort of familiar. Cox’s role on SVU came just before her breakout on Orange is the New Black, so as usual those casting departments know how to spot talent.
Zoe Saldana – Law & Order and SVU Season 5 Episode 21 “Criminal”
For Zoe Saldana, her guest starring role on SVU was a full circle moment, as her very first role came on the original Law & Order in 1999. On SVU she played Gabrielle Vega, a woman who sued the NYPD after her innocent father was sent to prison and began using drugs again. I can’t say for certain, but I imagine Law & Order is where she learned to cry on cue, because she does it in all her movies.
Chandra Wilson – Law & Order Season 2 Episode 18 “Cradle to Grave” and SVU Season 4 Episode 8 “Waste”
Before she headed for Grey Sloan Memorial, Chandra Wilson made a trip to SVU as a nurse. “Waste” is one of those “evil doctor takes advantage of patient” episodes that makes me shudder every time I go to the doctor. SVU is horrifyingly good at them, practically creating a whole genre.
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