On September 13, 1990, the drama series "Law & Order" premieres on NBC; it will go on to become one of the longest-running primetime dramas in TV history and spawn several popular spin-offs.
According to the now-famous "Law & Order" formula, the first half of the hour-long program, which is set in New York City, focuses on the police as they investigate a crime—often inspired by real-life news stories—while the second part of the show centers on the prosecution of those accused of that crime. Each episode opens with a narrator stating: “In the criminal justice system, the people are represented by two separate yet equally important groups: the police, who investigate crime, and the district attorneys, who prosecute the offenders. These are their stories.”
"Law & Order"‘s cast has changed continually throughout its run. Among the best-known characters are Homicide Detective Lennie Brisco, who was played by Jerry Orbach from 1994 to his death in 2004; Lt. Anita Van Buren, played by S. Epatha Merkerson since 1993; New York City Police Captain Donald Cragen, played by Dann Florek from 1990 to 2015; District Attorney Jack McCoy, portrayed by Sam Waterson since 1993; Detective Mike Logan, played by Chris Noth from 1990 to 1995 (he later reprised the character for the spin-off "Law & Order: Criminal Intent"); Detective Rey Curtis, played by Benjamin Bratt from 1995 to 1999; and Detective Ed Green, played by Jesse Martin from 1999 to 2008. The actresses Jill Hennessey, Carey Lowell and Angie Harmon each did a stint on "Law & Order" as assistant district attorneys.
Fred Thompson, who was a U.S. Senator from Tennessee from 1994 to 2002, portrayed District Attorney Arthur Branch from 2002 to 2007. In 2008, Thompson launched an unsuccessful bid for the Republican nomination for U.S. president. _"_Law & Order" has also featured a long list of guest appearances by famous actors, including Julia Roberts, Samuel L. Jackson, Chevy Chase and Edie Falco. _"_Law & Order"'s twentieth and final season ended on May 24, 2010.
On September 20, 1999, "Law & Order: Special Victims Unit," starring Mariska Hargitay and Christopher Meloni as a pair of New York City detectives who investigate sex-related crimes, premiered. "Law & Order: Criminal Intent" followed in 2001. "Law & Order: Trial by Jury" debuted in 2005 and lasted for one season.
The "Law & Order" franchise was created by Dick Wolf, who was born in 1946 and began his television career as a writer for such shows as "Miami Vice_._"
