Guide Note

Law & Order is a one-hour NBC legal drama that depicts the lives and work of police officers and prosecutors in New York City.

Each episode begins with a narration by Steven Zirnkilton:

"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."

Then the program's format is broken up into two parts. The first half hour is dedicated to the investigation of a crime and the second half shows the prosecution of it.

Law & Order's success has created a franchise of successful spin-off shows: Law & Order: Special Victims Unit (1999) and Law & Order: Criminal Intent (2001). It wrapped its 17th season in 2007, making it the second longest-running drama series ever behind Gunsmoke, which lasted 20 seasons.

Fast Facts

1. Network: NBC
2. Current Season: 17
3. First Aired: September 13, 1990
4. Creator: Dick Wolf
5. Starring: Sam Waterston, S. Epatha Merkerson, Jeremy Sisto, Linus Roache, Alana de la Garza, Anthony Anderson
6. Emmy Awards: 1997 Best Drama; 11 consecutive nominations

Law & Order is able to reinvent itself and stay fresh with an always revolving cast. Besides big name guest stars such as Julia Roberts, Claire Danes, Philip Seymour Hoffman and Samuel L. Jackson, many noted actors have appeared on the show for several seasons before moving on to other projects.

1. Jerry Orbach
2. Chris Noth
3. Steven Hill
4. Fred Thompson
5. Jessie L. Martin
6. Angie Harmon
7. Jill Hennessy
8. Dianne Wiest
9. Dennis Farina
10. Paul Sorvino