Cast Changes In Store For L&O

[Techguy]

From the Associated Press:

Cast Changes in Store for 'Law & Order'
By LYNN ELBER – 1 hour ago[/b]

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Jesse L. Martin is putting down his "Law & Order" detective's shield, and Anthony Anderson is in negotiations to pick it up.

Martin, who has been with the NBC drama since fall 1999, will film an episode to air this spring explaining the departure of his character, New York police Detective Ed Green, a person familiar with the show said Wednesday.

Anderson is concluding negotiations to join the cast as a new partner for Detective Cyrus Lupo, played by Jeremy Sisto, said the person, who wasn't authorized to announce the change and spoke on condition of anonymity.

Martin is set to play Marvin Gaye in "Sexual Healing," a movie biography of the ill-fated singer, with James Gandolfini ("The Sopranos") costarring. Filming on the project from Gandolfini's production company is to begin this spring, according to trade paper reports.

Anderson recently starred in the Fox TV series "K-Ville." His other credits include FX's "The Shield" and the films "The Departed" and "Transformers."

Martin once took a break from "Law & Order" to star in the 2005 film version of "Rent," the Broadway version of which he appeared in.
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[diablodeblanco]

I hate to see him go. I enjoyed watching him. I wonder how they will write him out of the show.

[trisha]

Not my Ed!!!

[NikkiGreen]

Trisha, that was also my reaction!

[DonnaJo]

Anthony Anderson? To replace the suave, intelligent, insightful Jesse Martin aka Detective Green? Forgive me, but I can't really see it.

Anderson is a talent, but he's loud, brash & in your face. Is that the way they want to go with Lupo's partner? I guess it would be a contrast to Lupo's quiet angst.

Anderson is also very funny. I've seen him in a load of films & he has great comedic talent. That would be refreshing, to add a tiny bit of humor to the show. Like they used to with Jerry Orbach.

[NikkiGreen]

"loud, brash & in your face" is what his character Det. Lucius Blaine was in an episode of SVU last year!

[DonnaJo]

nikkigreen said:

"loud, brash & in your face" is what his character Det. Lucius Blaine was in an episode of SVU last year!

Blech.

Nikki, do you think they'll relocate that character to the mothership, in the interest of continuity?

[Techguy]

I wonder if the writers' strike and the disruption in the show's shooting schedule played a role in Jesse Martin's departure. Didn't Mr. Martin sign a contract prior to the season to do at least 13 episodes? Is it possible his movie work, especially for the Marvin Gaye biopic which will begin filming this spring, conflicted with L&O's new production schedule and forced Mr. Martin to make a difficult choice?

[NikkiGreen]

Donna, I should hope it's a different character. Lupo & Lucius?!

BTW, in that episode "FAT" from 2006 (not last year), Lucius is teamed with the unStabler. It was hard figuring out which one was the bigger jerk. IIRC, they even came close to blows.

ETA:

[DonnaJo]

Techguy, your comments about Martin's filming conflict makes sense. I'm sure that's it.

Nikki, I didn't see "Fat" except previews of Anderson's character clocking UnStabler in the SVU squadroom. Clash Of The Hotheads.

I am glad to see the replacement being an African American male. Love how the mothership is so reflective of New York City's diverse racial & ethnic community. CI is lily white, no black or hispanic leads since Carver left & Theresa Randle became a no show. They do have Ross as the Jewish token, that says something, I guess.

[diablodeblanco]

I liked this guy when he was on The Shield. He had stage presence. There was something about him that made him stand out.