or


[05/17/04 - 12:00 AM]
2004 Broadcast Upfront Presentations: Nbc, Part 2
By The Futon Critic Staff (TFC)

NBC ANNOUNCES DENNIS FARINA TO BECOME SERIES REGULAR IN NETWORK'S ORIGINAL FRANCHISE HIT 'LAW & ORDER'

LOS ANGELES (thefutoncritic.com) -- Dennis Farina ("Get Shorty," "Out of Sight") will join the cast of NBC's venerable "Law & Order" (Wednesdays, 10-11 p.m. ET) -- the original drama that began television's most successful series franchise. The announcement was by Jeff Zucker, President, NBC Universal Television Group and Kevin Reilly, President, NBC Entertainment.

"I've known Dennis for 20 years, and he's a terrific actor, a consummate professional and a truly nice guy," said Dick Wolf, the executive producer of the all of the "Law & Order" series.

Essentially, Farina will replace the departing Jerry Orbach (Detective Lenny Briscoe) in a similar role as a New York City police detective.

Owing to its two-year extension earlier this month for a 15th and 16th season through 2005-06, "Law & Order" is now set to become the longest-running police series and second longest-running drama series in the history of television. Filmed entirely on location in New York City, this realistic program looks at crime and justice from a dual perspective. Sam Waterston, Jesse L. Martin, S. Epatha Merkerson, Elisabeth Rohm and Fred Thompson star. Orbach, who portrayed Detective Lennie Briscoe for 12 seasons, will depart the series in this month's season finale.

Farina, who stars in the upcoming HBO movie "Empire Falls," also starred last year on the NBC comedy "The In-Laws."

Farina's extensive feature-film credits include "Get Shorty," "Out of Sight," "Saving Private Ryan," "Snatch," "Sidewalks of New York," "Reindeer Games," "The Mod Squad," "Another Stakeout," "Manhunter" and "Thief."

In addition, Farina initially gained notice for his starring role in producer Michael Mann's "Crime Story" followed by another drama, "Buddy Faro." Among his other TV credits is Mann's Emmy Award-winning miniseries "Drug Wars: Colombia."

A veteran of the Chicago theater, Farina appeared in Joseph Mantegna's "Bleacher Bums" and "Tracers."

"Law & Order" is a Wolf Films production in association with NBC Universal Television. Dick Wolf is creator and executive producer, Matthew Penn, Eric Overmyer, Peter Jankowski and Roz Weinman are executive producers.





  [may 2004]  
S
M
T
W
T
F
S
      


· EMPIRE FALLS (HBO)
· IN-LAWS (NBC)
· LAW & ORDER (NBC)




[09/15/25 - 09:30 AM]
Utkarsh Ambudkar and Ginnifer Goodwin Join the Cast of Disney Jr.'s Hit Series "Superkitties"
They'll be voicing villains Champster and Pamster Glamster (aka The Glamsters), a glamorous and hilariously clueless brother and sister hamster duo who cause chaos for the SuperKitties.

[09/15/25 - 09:16 AM]
Acorn TV Celebrates "An Autumn to Die For"
The event will feature an extensive array of great programming including premieres of all-new series such as the Acorn TV original "Murder Before Evensong" starring Matthew Lewis and based on the bestselling series by British author The Reverend Richard Coles.
[09/15/25 - 09:01 AM]
Watch the Magical Adventure "Smurfs," Premiering on Paramount+ September 16
In the film, Smurfette (Rihanna) leads the crew on a daring rescue mission to save Papa Smurf (John Goodman) after he is mysteriously kidnapped by the evil wizards, Razamel and Gargamel.
[09/15/25 - 07:01 AM]
Video: "Monster: The Ed Gein Story" - Official Trailer - Netflix
The shocking true-life tale of Ed Gein, the infamous murderer and grave robber who inspired many of Hollywood's most iconic on-screen killers.
[09/15/25 - 06:01 AM]
Video: "Love Is Blind" Season 9 - Official Trailer - Netflix
Denver singles shake up their search for "the one" and step into the pods, braving twists, turns and love triangles to find their soulmate sight unseen.
[09/15/25 - 05:01 AM]
Video: "The Beast in Me" - Official Teaser - Netflix
Claire Danes, Matthew Rhys, and the team that brought you "Homeland."
[09/14/25 - 09:26 PM]
HBO and HBO Max Receive 30 Emmy Awards, Tied for the Most Wins of Any Network or Platform
"The Penguin" took home nine wins, including Outstanding Actress in a Limited Series or Movie (Cristin Milioti) and Outstanding Prosthetic Makeup.
[09/14/25 - 09:14 PM]
Warner Bros. Television's "The Pitt" (HBO Max) Wins Five Emmy Awards, Including Outstanding Drama Series and Lead Actor for Noah Wyle
Plus: Cristin Milioti won the Emmy for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie for the acclaimed HBO/Warner Bros. Television/DC crime drama "The Penguin."

[09/14/25 - 09:01 PM]
From Hardship to Hope: "Typhoon Family" Presents a Tale of Youth, Crisis, and Resilience on October 11
A coming-of-age tale about Tae-poong, a small business CEO struggling to survive the 1997 IMF financial crisis.
[09/14/25 - 08:09 PM]
77th Emmy Awards Winners Announced
The telecast featured awards in 26 Emmy categories presented by top talent from some of television's most acclaimed programs.
[09/14/25 - 07:23 PM]
"SNL" Is the Most Emmy-Winning Show in Television History
"SNL" has 112 wins - 98 wins for the show itself, and 15 additional wins for specials and short-form series.
[09/14/25 - 05:01 PM]
Video: "The Great Flood" Teaser Trailer Previews a Gripping Struggle for Survival
On what may be the last day on Earth, a life-or-death struggle in a flooded apartment quickly becomes humankind's one and only hope for survival.
[09/14/25 - 03:33 PM]
ESPN Original Series "Believers: Boston Red Sox" to Premiere September 26, Featuring Ben Affleck, Matt Damon, Donnie Wahlberg, Bill Burr, Uzo Aduba, Katie Nolan, Curt Schilling, David Ortiz, and More
The three-part series tells the story of how, for 86 years, the Red Sox broke the spirits of generations of their most devoted followers, falling short of a championship in heartbreaking and unforgettable fashion, time and time again.
[09/13/25 - 06:31 PM]
Video: "The Witcher" Season 4 - Official Teaser - Netflix
The series returns Thursday, October 30, only on Netflix.
[09/12/25 - 11:48 PM]
Development Update: Week of September 8-12
Updates include: second two of "Mr. & Mrs. Smith" on indefinite hold; Ego Nwodim announces "SNL" exit; and Hulu sets cast of "Don't Get High" comedy pilot.