Bad news for fans of both Jesse L. Martin and Law and Order: the star is leaving the NBC show.
Reports say that Martin will film one more episode of the NBC show before leaving. He had originally signed to do 13 episodes this season but the writers strike interrupted those plans. He will be written off the show, but there's no word yet on exactly what that means (quitting the force, getting killed off, abducted by aliens, whatever).
And if you're thinking about auditioning for a role on the show, you're out of luck: they've already found a replacement.
This is good news for the star of another show that was recently canceled (well, probably) by FOX. Anthony Anderson, one of the co-stars of K-Ville, is going to replace Martin. He will take over for the remaining episodes that will air later this season. The show returns on April 23.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
2-21-2008 @ 9:16AM
Billy Bob said...
Law and Order is really cooking this season.
I couldn't finish some episodes last season because it was so bad. It wasn't just the actress who was Jesse L's partner, is was the whole package - writing, photography, production.
This season feels almost like a new show. Photography is much better and the writing is much sharper. Jeremy Sisto is a great addition. Cool character, who has a bit of dept.
Never like Jesse L on the show. Except until her teamed up with Lupo! However, Anthony Anderson will bring some edge to the show.
I'm bet NBC are glad they didn't cancel this show now.
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2-21-2008 @ 10:19AM
Bailey said...
This saddens me - though it is just now that I'm able to watch Jesse L. Martin on Law & Order and not sing Rent songs in my head...
I do love Jeremy Sisto, though. Fantastic casting.
There is hope, I guess!
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2-21-2008 @ 10:23AM
Will said...
I kinda liked him on that show. AA was great on the shield, but not so great on K-Ville. I hope Law & Order is a better fit for him.
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2-21-2008 @ 10:26AM
sitruc said...
Wasn't Anderson on the show before? Would he be the same character?
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2-21-2008 @ 10:28AM
Susan Burns said...
Law and Order hasn't been this good in years strike or no strike. I will miss Jesse L Martin's character, but I think Anthony Anderson will be a good replacement.
I actually stay up and watch it. I don't DVR it. Watch out CSI NY.
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2-21-2008 @ 10:33AM
D.jeanette said...
Say it isn't so... Jesse is the ONLY one on the whole show who appears to be in true character all the time. Every one else speaks like their lines are written on a wall or something. He is an excellent actor, and I will miss him. Anthony Anderson is a no where near a replacement for Jesse Martin. He has been typed cast too long as a comic to be taken seriously as a tough as nail cop, even if it is just a script.Just to replace one Black actor with another, doesn't compensate for the loss of dedicated and loyal L & O watchers from the beginning.
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4-19-2008 @ 4:40AM
Londoner said...
You obviously haven't seen The Shield, have you?
2-21-2008 @ 10:42AM
kenm said...
sitruc: I believe Anthony Anderson was on a couple of episodes of SVU, so they could get away with either making it the same character or not.
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2-21-2008 @ 11:06AM
Oreo said...
This seasons has been going very well. The new characters feel right at home with the old ones. It's quite sad to see him leave but he's been on the show for years.
It's sadder still because I don't like Anthony Anderson at all. I hated his character in whatever he has planned on.
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2-21-2008 @ 11:14AM
superbagman said...
First it's announced that Rent is ending it's broadway run, now Martin is leaving Law and Order...sad news. But at least Hang Time Teddy is getting put on a decent show.
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2-21-2008 @ 12:13PM
Gordy said...
As long as AA sticks to the drama part of his repetoire (like his amazing work on The Shield) and away from the slapstick comedy buffoonery, I'm all for this addition. KVille was unwatchable.
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2-21-2008 @ 1:31PM
Sonya said...
@Bailey: How funny you said that. As soon as I saw the title about him leaving L & O "Seasons of Love" immediately popped into my head.
Here, let me help you out with this: "...In truths that she learned, or in times that he cried. In bridges he burned, or
the way that she died..." : )
Good luck with whatever you do Jesse.
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2-21-2008 @ 2:45PM
Pat Starkman said...
Wow. I was just watching L&O last night and thinking that they finally got the right mix of people. Figures. I've loved Jesse L. Martin since his stint on Ally McBeal, and wish him luck in whatever he does.
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2-21-2008 @ 2:53PM
D-Bo said...
They paired AA with Stabler for one or two episodes. Cragen did it to teach Stabler what it was like to work with an out of control alpha dog like he was. Doesn't anyone else remember Stabler socking him in the mouth?
Will they please bring back Micheal Imperioli?(sp)
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2-21-2008 @ 3:05PM
Anita said...
Why is he leaving? I've always liked Jesse and his acting skills (his utter hotness). I like AA, too, but I can't really see him outside his comic roles -
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2-21-2008 @ 3:35PM
Will2 said...
I'm sorry to see Jesse L. Martin leave also but just wanted everyone to know why he's leaving. He's going to be starring in a movie about the life of Marvin Gaye entitled "Sexual Healing". It begins shooting in the spring. Best of luck Jesse!
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2-21-2008 @ 11:22PM
sitruc said...
I thought that project was put on hold then canned because of some other Marvin Gaye biopic.
2-22-2008 @ 11:38AM
Will2 said...
You may be right but I'm not sure. I had read on CNN that he was going to start filming the movie in the spring and thought that this might have been a contributing factor for his leaving Law & Order. NBC let him leave for awhile to do Rent but maybe this would have been too much to do both. However if the movie was canned, I really don't know what happened. CNN reported it was on though. I don't know.
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2-23-2008 @ 4:35PM
Thea Palmi, eri said...
NO, NO, NO! There IS no replacement for Jesse L Martin. Not only is he possibly the hottest man on the planet, he is a flawless performer and brought such class and nuance to the role of Det. Ed Green. I loved Rent and will see all of his work, I can, but it won't be the same as being able to see him every week.
This season starter has been the best Law and Order ever...and I've been watching it for more than nine years.
The new cast members are the right additions, but it's Jesse who holds your attention whenever he's on the screen.
I hope they don't kill him off and I hope he'll be back. Pay him whatever it takes, let him do Broadway and all the movies he wants, but hang on to him. He's definitely Must See TV.
Did I mention he's incredibly sexy??!!
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2-24-2008 @ 11:34AM
bamboo said...
My wife and I are big fans of L&O, and watch all 3 series. We were just talking about how good this season is, and now this happens. Jesse L Martin is a great actor and is great on the show. Hate to see him leave. We also miss Lenny Brisco's character, and everytime there is something crappy in an episode, we joke outloud that if Lenny had been in the scene, it would have been perfect.
Anthony Anderson is a great actor also, and I have liked him in pretty much everything except K-ville. We are really big fans of The Shield as well, and I liked him with Jet Li But I don't like him in L&O. I will give him a chance and cross my fingers though.
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