Things are getting ready to really change on NBC’s series Law & Order (original flavor) and Law & Order: SVU. The biggest change will be Jesse L. Martin, a nine year veteran on L&O, as he’ll be leaving his post as detective with his final episode airing this Wednesday. With the recent loss of Jerry Orbach, who actually left the series before dying, the show really felt held together on the Order side by Martin. Now that he’ll be leaving Jeremy Sisto will be taking over as the lead detective and from what I’ve seen that won’t be too bad. I’ve always enjoyed Sisto and he’s fitting in well already.

Special Victims’ Unit will have a few more changes, though I don’t think their impact will be as significant. First to vanish from SVU will be Diane Neal who plays ADA Casey Novak. I was amazed to read she had been there since 2003, a full five years on the series. Neal never had quite the same vibe for me as did her predecessor Stephanie March. Too bad we can’t get March back, but as ADA Novak is about to learn, you never come back from witness protection plans!

The last change is also from SVU with the very recent addition of Adam Beach who played Detective Chester Lake. Beach joined the series last year with a one year contract and a second year option. Not so surprising was the producers’ choice not to exercise that second year option, though they were nice to let him say he didn’t want it. Beach was a terrible fit in the otherwise strong Order part of SVU and often felt like he was wedged into scenes and roles. I won’t be sorry to see him gone and I’m happy to hear they don’t plan to refill his role.

How about a little fun with someone from the cast that won’t be leaving anytime soon? Check out this game with Ice T and his interrogation tactics. Jump over to NBC for a try at surviving the interrogation at the hands of Ice T!

Source: WENN