Law and Order has been a phenomenal series that has stood the test of time for over two decades, having over twenty seasons and well over four hundred episodes. The gritty crime drama took the television world by storm in 1990, exploring the dark and dismal streets of New York where the police who investigate crimes and the district attorneys who prosecute those crimes try their best to uphold the law.
Over the years, there have been dozens of exciting characters to appear in the series and grow into fan favorites along the way. Some characters make more of an impact than others and leave a permanent impression on fans who tune in every evening to watch them in action. Here are some of the most iconic Law and Order characters to have featured in the series over the years.
8 Philip Cerreta
The charismatic and charming Sergeant Philip Cerreta hit the ground running when he debuted on the hit drama series in season two, episode one of Law and Order. Cerreta gained a lot of popularity for his wise-guy-like persona, giving him a very sheep-in-wolves-clothing aura to suspects and his partners. However, contrary to popular belief, Cerreta was a dedicated cop and talented detective.
He was partnered with Mike Logan at the start of his transfer, and, while at first, the duo bumped heads on more than one occasion, through a series of grueling events, they became very close friends. Philip Cerreta was a consistent character for an entire season, and although he possessed a large amount of charisma, he was fazed out after a storyline where he was shot and retired due to complications.
7 Benjamin Stone
Benjamin Stone is an original cast member of Law and Order. He first appeared in the pilot episode of the series and went on to serve as one of the most fearsome District Attorneys in the series. The storylines of Stone ranged from walking a fine line of ethics in persecution and dealing with the stress of losing a marriage to work.
Benjamin Stone was a brilliant character that enveloped the ideals of justice perfectly, dealing in black and white but becoming gray over time. From season one to season four, Benjamin Stone served as the iron rock that closed case after case at the cost of his own happiness. The sensational performance by actor Michael Moriarty has defined the series for decades to come.
6 Abbie Carmichael
Brilliant, courageous, and iron-willed are all terms to describe Abbie Carmichael. Often described as a bulldog within the attorney profession because of her strict ideologies and political opinions, Carmichael has created a strong reputation as an assistant district attorney.
Carmichael is portrayed as a stone-faced ironclad warrior of law and backs it up with her exceptional dedication and uncompromising virtues. From time to time, these virtues are put to the test when Abbie is faced with moral dilemmas that force her to think outside her views and opinions. Abbie Carmichael appeared in the series from seasons nine to season eleven and is a much-loved character whose absence is sorely felt.
5 Serena Southerlynn
Much the polar opposite of Abbie Carmichael, Serena Southerlynn is much more of a bleeding heart ideologist in her views on the law and how environmental circumstances can affect the suspect of a crime. Southerlynn serves as Abbie’s replacement and direct assistant to James McCoy and Arthur Branch. Southerlynn bumped heads with both DA’s regularly for how they treated unsavory defendants without considering them human beings first and suspects second.
Unfortunately, Southerlynn's combative nature led to her early dismissal with claims she did not have what it took to be a prosecutor. Outside the series, fans all agree that Elizabeth Rohm's departure and the handling of her character were very poor, but she made a strong impact nonetheless.
4 Mike Logan
Mike Logan is another Veteran of Law and Order, appearing as one of the main detectives since the first season of the show. Logan was portrayed as a brilliant and somewhat eccentric individual who didn't always play well with others but was undoubtedly dedicated to his profession. Mike Logan had an extensive history which made him possess certain volatile personality traits.
While his past trauma didn't heavily affect his work, it was very present in his ideals and the way he viewed suspects who had committed violent crimes, especially younger adults and children. Logan would be a permanent fixture in the series until its seventh season, where he retired after becoming jaded by the series of corrupt events he had witnessed.
3 Ed Green
Ed Green was the gentle giant of the NYPD, joining the show in season ten. From the start, Green was portrayed as a seasoned detective with a solid moral compass and relentless drive to bring criminals to justice. However, on more than one occasion, Green would step to the line of acceptable ethics when it came to criminals he saw as less than human. Because of that, he was constantly at odds with his partner and commanding officers.
With an extensive history in gang violence, Green took his time as a door kicker into his role as senior detective and demonstrated an aggressive form of detective work. When Green finally stepped across the line and was involved in a shootout with a suspect clouded in controversy, he stepped away from being a New York City cop and resigned.
2 Anita Buren
Anita Buren is perhaps the most dominant character in Law and Order history. Since the series' beginning, Anita Buren has fought crime on the frontline of New York City as well as from the top of the tower as the Captain of the NYCPD. Played by the talented Epatha Merkerson, Buren is a compassionate yet astute individual who understands the law and what it takes to uphold it.
In the series, Buren’s role as a detective and leader has been thoroughly explored as many storylines challenged her characters' beliefs and dedication to her subordinates and her career. Anita Buren remains one of the longest reigning cast members of the original Law and Order series and one of its most memorable to boot.
1 Jack Mcoy
No other character emits such an aura as the District Attorney, Jack McCoy. Since season five of the series, Jack McCoy has stunned courtrooms with his demanding presence and brilliant showmanship and knowledge of the law. McCoy appeared to have a very narrow view of the world but was quite open to multiple points of view.
However, regardless of personal opinions, Jack McCoy remained a stout prosecutor that worked to bring justice to hundreds of Victims. The amount of respect that McCoy’s character demanded in and outside the courtroom elevated his character above most in the long-running series.