About The Show
"Law & Order," the longest-running crime series and the second-longest-running drama series in the history of television, ran for 20 seasons on NBC.
The brainchild of creator Dick Wolf, "Law & Order" was the most successful brand in primetime television. It was the 1997 Emmy Award winner for Outstanding Drama Series and the record holder for the most consecutive (11) nominations in that category for a primetime series (tied with "Cheers" and "M*A*S*H"). It has also become one of entertainment's preeminent brands, with its successful spinoffs "Law & Order: Special Victims Unit" and "Law & Order: Criminal Intent."
Filmed entirely on location in New York, the realistic program looked at crime and justice from a dual perspective. In the first half-hour, Detective Cyrus Lupo (Jeremy Sisto) and his new partner, Detective Kevin Bernard (Anthony Anderson), investigated crimes and apprehended suspects under the supervision of their precinct lieutenant, Anita Van Buren (S. Epatha Merkerson). In the second half-hour, the focus shifts to the criminal courts as Chief Assistant District Attorney Michael Cutter (Linus Roache) and the Executive Assistant District Attorney Connie Rubirosa (Alana De La Garza) worked within a complicated justice system to prosecute the accused under the guidance of the newly appointed District Attorney Jack McCoy (Sam Waterston).
Some cases may have been simple, but most were multi-faceted. The investigations were challenging, prosecutions were complicated, and decisions about legal procedures and plea-bargaining were vexing. In the arduous and complex process of determining guilt and innocence, lives were often in the balance.
"Law & Order" was a Wolf Films production in association with Universal Media Studios. Dick Wolf was creator and executive producer; Rene Balcer, Fred Berner and Peter Jankowski were the executive producers.
Credits: NBC.com