EMMY AWARD WINNER S. EPATHA MERKERSON GIVES SCORCHING PERFORMANCE ON NBC'S "LAW & ORDER," NOVEMBER 30 AT 10 p.m. ET/PT

EMMY AWARD WINNER S. EPATHA MERKERSON GIVES SCORCHING PERFORMANCE AS LIEUTENANT VAN BUREN, WHO OVERSTEPS BOUNDARIES IN PURSUIT OF JUSTICE ON NBC'S 'LAW & ORDER,' NOVEMBER 30 AT 10 P.M. ET/PT

NEW YORK -- November 28, 2005 -- Emmy Award winner S. Epatha Merkerson gives a scorching performance as Lieutenant Anita Van Buren, when a case close to the lieutenant provokes her to overstep the boundaries of the law -- and a friendship -- in pursuit of a serial misogynist on NBC's "Law & Order" (Wednesday, Nov. 30 at 10 p.m. ET/PT.)

"This episode tests this character in a way I don't think she's been tested before," said Merkerson. "She really does cross the line."

In the episode entitled "Acid," a young woman ? her face horribly scarred ? is found hanged inside her apartment. Lt. Van Buren (Merkerson) recognizes the victim as the eldest daughter of a dear college friend and directs Detectives Fontana (Dennis Farina) and Green (Jesse L. Martin) on a no-holds-barred mission to catch the serial abuser who threw acid in the deceased's face months earlier. Devastated by the death of one child and terrified for the safety of her second daughter, the friend (Christine Hill, guest star Annie Corley) briefly recants her line-up identification. Undeterred, Van Buren proceeds with the investigation, compromising the prosecution lead by A.D.A.s McCoy (Sam Waterston) and Borgia (Annie Parisse), which forces Van Buren to take the stand.

Merkerson is a multifaceted actor who has received critical acclaim in television, theater and film. Best known for her role on "Law & Order," Merkerson's Van Buren is a touchstone for Detectives Fontana (Farina) and Green (Martin), offering her wisdom to guide their investigations. This season marks her 13th year as a series regular.

"Law & Order" is produced by Wolf Films in association with NBC Universal Television Studio.