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The Wire
Law & Order

Law & Order is an American police procedural and legal drama television series created by Dick Wolf. It has been broadcast on NBC since its debut on September 13, 1990. Set in New York City, the series follows the professional and to a lesser extent the personal lives of several police officers and prosecutors who represent the public interest in the criminal justice system. The characters frequently encounter dilemmas and frustrations as cases go through the stages of investigation, arrest, negotiation and trial. Matters are rarely resolved easily, or for the people involved, satisfactorily. The success of the series has led to the creation of additional shows under the Law & Order franchise. It is the longest-running primetime drama currently on American television. It shares several cast & crew members with The Wire.

Shared cast members[]

  • Robert Hogan has a recurring role as Louis Sobotka in season 2 of The Wire and has played six roles in Law & Order:
    • Patrick Monahan in the season 2 Law & Order episode "Heaven".
    • Ted Parker in the season 4 Law & Order episode "Kids".
    • Agent Carlin in the season 7 Law & Order episode "Entrapment".
    • Captain Walder in the season 11 Law & Order episode "Ramparts".
    • Judge Albert Scholl in the season 12 Law & Order episode "Who Let the Dogs Out?".
    • A recurring role as Judge Hugo Bright in season 14 to 16 of Law & Order.
  • Tom Mardirosian has a recurring role as Agent Koutris in season 2 of The Wire and has played six roles in Law & Order:
    • Brian Doxsee in the season 1 Law & Order episode "Mushroom".
    • Joe Tashjian in the season 2 Law & Order episode "The Fertile Fields".
    • Mr. Butler in the season 9 Law & Order episode "DWB".
    • Mr. Stubelski in the season 10 Law & Order episode "Fools for Love".
    • Nicky Avakian in the season 12 Law & Order episode "Oxymoron".
    • A recurring role as Judge Keith Fisher in season 15 and 16 of Law & Order.
  • Jay Spadaro plays a uniformed officer in The Wire episode "More with Less" and has played three roles in Law & Order:
    • A recurring role as a bailiff in season 2 of Law & Order.
    • A recurring role as a court clerk in season 3, 4 and 6 of Law & Order.
    • Earl Novak in the season 7 Law & Order episode "Double Down".
  • Isiah Whitlock, Jr. stars as corrupt senator Clay Davis in The Wire and has played five roles in Law & Order:
    • Anthony White in the season 5 Law & Order episode "Guardian".
    • Simon Brooks in the season 6 Law & Order episode "Trophy".
    • A recurring role as Fred Oakes in season 6 and 10 of Law & Order.
    • Captain Navarro in the season 11 Law & Order episode "Standoff".
    • Gordon Samuels in the season 15 Law & Order episode "Gunplay".
  • Bruce Kirkpatrick plays veteran crime reporter Roger Twigg in The Wire and has played five roles in Law & Order:
    • New Jersey Trooper in the season 1 Law & Order episode "The Torrents of Greed: Part 2".
    • Mark Sanders in the season 3 Law & Order episode "Extended Family".
    • Tom Harrigan in the season 5 Law & Order episode "Wannabe".
    • Colin Shaw in the season 12 Law & Order episode "The Fire This Time".
    • Detective Jay Beattie in the season 16 Law & Order episode "Criminal Law".
  • John Doman stars as caustic police commander William Rawls in The Wire and has played five roles in Law & Order:
    • Bailiff in the season 1 Law & Order episode "The Blue Wall".
    • Sergeant Frank Gottlieb in the season 7 Law & Order episode "We Like Mike".
    • Mr. Stephens in the season 9 Law & Order episode "True North".
    • Howard Ridgeway in the season 13 Law & Order episode "Maritime".
    • Jim Gilles in the season 18 Law & Order episode "Political Animal".
  • Robert Poletick has a recurring role as Metro Desk Editor Steven Luxenberg in season 5 of The Wire and has played four roles in Law & Order:
    • Hauser in the season 2 Law & Order episode "Out of Control".
    • Sandler in the season 4 Law & Order episode "Wager".
    • A reporter in the season 6 Law & Order episode "Pro Se".
    • Carl Feinberg in the season 11 Law & Order episode "Deep Vote".
  • Wendell Pierce stars as dedicated homicide detective Bunk Moreland in The Wire and has played four roles in Law & Order:
    • Chief Ola-Gimju Nwaka in the season 3 Law & Order episode "Consultation".
    • Jerome Bryant in the season 5 Law & Order episode "Rage".
    • Mr. Wade in the season 9 Law & Order episode "Disciple".
    • Roger Porter in the season 15 Law & Order episode "Gunplay".
  • Richard Belzer plays John Munch in The Wire episode "Took" and as a recurring role in seasons 6, 8, 9 and 10 of Law & Order.
  • Michael Hyatt has a recurring role as Brianna Barksdale in The Wire and has played four roles in Law & Order:
    • Rachel Willis in the season 8 Law & Order episode "Bad Girl".
    • Elan Holt in the season 10 Law & Order episode "Black, White and Blue".
    • Clerk in the season 12 Law & Order episode "The Myth of Fingerprints".
    • Defense Attorney Julia Shinnear in the season 15 Law & Order episode "License to Kill".
  • Michael Willis has a recurring role as property developer Andy Krawczyk in The Wire and has played four roles in Law & Order:
    • Joe Williams in the season 5 Law & Order episode "House Counsel".
    • Father Carney in the season 6 Law & Order episode "Angel".
    • Richard Petersen in the season 7 Law & Order episode "Survivor".
    • Mr. Declan in the season 18 Law & Order episode "Darkness".
  • Michael Potts has a recurring role as hit-man Brother Mouzone in The Wire and has played three roles in Law & Order:
    • Reggie Dobbs in the season 7 Law & Order episode "Entrapment".
    • Lester Wilkes in the season 16 Law & Order episode "New York Minute".
    • Malcolm Young in the season 17 Law & Order episode "Captive".
  • Thomas McCarthy stars as ambitious reporter Scott Templeton in The Wire and has played three roles in Law & Order:
    • Donald Housman in the season 13 Law & Order episode "The Ring".
    • Lambert in the season 14 Law & Order episode "Bodies".
    • John Conlan in the season 18 Law & Order episode "Darkness".
  • Sam Freed has a recurring role as Executive Editor James Whiting in The Wire and has played three roles in Law & Order:
    • Kent Meeker in the season 2 Law & Order episode "Blood is Thicker...".
    • Dr. Bill Rudnik in the season 9 Law & Order episode "Harm".
    • Tom Baker in the season 16 Law & Order episode "Kingmaker".
  • Neal Huff stars a Mayoral Chief of Staff Michael Steintorf in The Wire and has played three roles in Law & Order:
    • Donald Melnick in the season 4 Law & Order episode "Apocrypha".
    • Dennis Trope in the season 10 Law & Order episode "Gunshow".
    • Steven Smith in the season 17 Law & Order episode "Bling".
  • Dion Graham has a recurring role as State's Attorney Rupert Bond in seasons 4 and 5 of The Wire and has played three roles in Law & Order:
    • Smith in the season 9 Law & Order episode "Punk".
    • Ron Hamilton in the season 14 Law & Order episode "Floater".
    • Principal Ron Hill in the season 17 Law & Order episode "Good Faith".
  • Boris McGiver has a recurring role as hated lieutenant Charles Marimow in season 4 of The Wire and has played three roles in Law & Order:
    • Alan in the season 3 Law & Order episode "Forgiveness".
    • Desk Clerk in the season 4 Law & Order episode "Discord".
    • Hjalmar Forskerskoler in the season 15 Law & Order episode "Coming Down Hard".
  • Chris Bauer stars as union leader Frank Sobotka in The Wire and has played three roles in Law & Order:
    • Homeless David in the season 3 Law & Order episode "Forgiveness".
    • Micky Scott in the season 6 Law & Order episode "Aftershock".
    • Sergeant in wheelchair in the season 12 Law & Order episode "Patriot".
  • Cyrus Farmer has a recurring role as Devar Manigault in season 4 of The Wire and has played three roles in Law & Order:
    • Detective Calvin Lowell in the season 10 Law & Order episode "DNR".
    • Darryl "G Train" Collins in the season 12 Law & Order episode "3 Dawg Night".
    • Manager in the season 15 Law & Order episode "Publish and Perish".
  • Bill Raymond has a recurring role as The Greek in The Wire and has played three roles in Law & Order:
    • Ellis Drake in the season 3 Law & Order episode "Wedded Bliss".
    • Father Joe Krolinsky in the season 5 Law & Order episode "Bad Faith".
    • Barry Cavanaugh in the season 10 Law & Order episode "High & Low".
  • Merritt Wever plays Prissy in the season 2 The Wire episode "Storm Warnings" and has played three roles in Law & Order:
    • Myra in the season 7 Law & Order episode "Mad Dog".
    • Jennifer Taylor in the season 13 Law & Order episode "American Jihad".
    • Sunshine Porter in the season 15 Law & Order episode "Sects".
  • Jim True-Frost stars as puzzle solver Roland "Prez" Pryzbylewski in The Wire and has played two roles in Law & Order:
    • Bruce Elwin in the season 15 Law & Order episode "In God We Trust".
    • Dennis Langdon/Phil Newsom in the season 18 Law & Order episode "Quit Claim" (previously known as "Submission").
  • Amy Ryan stars as Beadie Russell in The Wire and has played two roles in Law & Order:
    • Amy in the season 3 Law & Order episode "Jurisdiction".
    • Valerie Messick in the season 16 Law & Order episode "Family Friend".
  • James Ransone has a recurring role as eccentric checker Ziggy Sobotka in season 2 of The Wire and has played two roles in Law & Order:
    • Mark Dale in the season 11 Law & Order episode "Deep Vote".
    • Michael Wayland in the season 17 Law & Order episode "Fame".
  • Lance Reddick stars as ascendant police commissioner Cedric Daniels in The Wire and has played two roles in Law & Order:
    • Captain Gasana in the season 12 Law & Order episode "Soldier of Fortune".
    • FBI Special Agent Jamal Atkinson in the season 14 Law & Order episode "City Hall".
  • Marlyne Afflack has a recurring role as council president Nerese Campbell in season 4 and 5 of The Wire and has played two roles in Law & Order:
    • Alana Sinclair in the season 15 Law & Order episode "Obsession".
    • Attorney Bocanegra in the season 17 Law & Order episode "Murder Book".
  • Deirdre Lovejoy stars as Assistant State's Attorney Rhonda Pearlman in The Wire and has played two roles in Law & Order:
    • Judith Crockit in the season 5 Law & Order episode "Virtue".
    • CSU Tech in the season 8 Law & Order episode "Thrill".
  • Chad Coleman stars as boxing trainer Dennis "Cutty" Wise in The Wire and has played two roles in Law & Order:
    • Weiner in the season 5 Law & Order episode "Golden Years".
    • Henry in the season 6 Law & Order episode "Paranoia".
  • Curtis L. McClarin plays a florist in season 5 The Wire episode "Transitions" and has played two roles in Law & Order:
    • Charles Perry in the season 9 Law & Order episode "Haven".
    • Marvin Waters in the season 13 Law & Order episode "Kid Pro Quo".
  • Roscoe Orman has a recurring role as patrolman Oscar Requer in season 5 of The Wire and has played two roles in Law & Order:
    • Trial Judge in the season 11 Law & Order episode "White Lie".
    • Mr. Cameron in the season 15 Law & Order episode "Coming Down Hard".
  • Hassan Johnson has a recurring role as criminal enforcer Wee-Bey Brice in The Wire and has played two roles in Law & Order:
    • Arnold in the season 12 Law & Order episode "Access Nation".
    • Trevor Hawkins in the season 15 Law & Order episode "Gunplay".
  • Peter Gerety has a recurring role as Judge Daniel Phelan in The Wire and has played two roles in Law & Order:
    • A recurring role as Attorney Charles Powell in seasons 5 and 10 of Law & Order.
    • Attorney Dean Connors in the season 13 Law & Order episode "Star Crossed".
  • Michael K. Williams stars as Omar Little in The Wire and has played two roles in Law & Order:
    • Delmore Walton in the season 8 Law & Order episode "Shadow".
    • Marcus Cole in the season 11 Law & Order episode "A Losing Season".
  • Eisa Davis has a recurring role as Bubbles' sister Rae in The Wire and has played two roles in Law & Order:
    • An ADA in the season 12 Law & Order episode "Patriot".
    • Attorney Danvers in the season 17 Law & Order episode "Fallout".
  • Stephen Schnetzer plays foreign correspondent Robert Ruby in the season 5 The Wire episode "Late Editions" and has played two roles in Law & Order:
    • Dr. Freeman in the season 13 Law & Order episode "Kid Pro Quo".
    • Mitchell Lower in the season 16 Law & Order episode "Thinking Makes it So".
  • Lizann Mitchell plays a witness to the William Gant shooting in the season 1 The Wire episode "One Arrest" and has played two roles in Law & Order:
    • Judge Lerner in the season 3 Law & Order episode "Prince of Darkness".
    • Dorothy Meredith in the season 11 Law & Order episode "A Losing Season".
  • Derrick Simmons plays Stabber in the season 1 Law & Order episode "Prescription for Death" and has done stunt work on The Wire.
  • Frankie Faison plays Lester Crawford in the season 1 Law & Order episode "Out of the Half-Light" and stars as commissioner Ervin Burrell in The Wire.
  • Bruce Kirkpatrick plays in the season 1 Law & Order episode "" and plays on The Wire.
  • Jospeph Urla plays Defense Attorney Werner in the season 2 Law & Order episode "Severance" and has a recurring role as the Maryland DA in season 5 of The Wire.
  • Seth Gilliam plays Babatunde Omoda in the season 3 Law & Order episode "Consultation" and stars as Sergeant Ellis Carver on The Wire.
  • Fredro Starr plays Tony "G-Dog" Rowland in the season 5 Law & Order episode "Competence" and has a recurring role as criminal enforcer Marquis "Bird" Hilton on The Wire.
  • Michael Rivera has a recurring role as Terry Sanchez in season 6 and 10 of Law & Order and plays Renaldo's friend in the season 5 The Wire episode "Not for Attribtuion".
  • Mark Joy appears in the season 7 Law & Order episode "Turnaround" and has a recurring role as property developer [{Ed Bowers]] on The Wire.
  • Thomas J. McCarthy plays Tony Callabro in the season 8 Law & Order episode "Burned" and has a recurring role as State Desk Editor Tim Phelps in season 5 of The Wire.
  • Charley Scalies plays Mario in the season 8 Law & Order episode "Ritual" and has a recurring role as stevedore Thomas "Horseface" Pakusa in season 2 of The Wire.
  • J.D. Williams plays a kid in the season 8 Law & Order episode "Castoff" and stars as drug dealer Bodie Broadus on The Wire.
  • R. Emery Bright plays Detective Leon Eggers in the season 9 Law & Order episode "Bait" and has a recurring role as community relations Sergeant Richardson in season 3 of The Wire.
  • Donnell Rawlings plays a cabbie in the season 9 Law & Order episode "True North" and has a recurring roll as seantorial aide Damien Lavelle Price on The Wire.
  • Andre Royo plays Gil Freeman in the season 9 Law & Order episode "Hunters" and stars as drug addict Bubbles in The Wire.
  • Domenick Lombardozzi plays Jason Vitone in the season 9 Law & Order episode "Ambitious" and stars as investigator Thomas "Herc" Hauk in The Wire.
  • Neko Parham appears in the season 11 Law & Order episode "Turnstile Justice" and plays State Police Undercover Troy Wiggins in The Wire episode "The Cost".
  • Jamie Hector plays Jean Marchier in the season 11 Law & Order episode "Burn, Baby, Burn" and stars as drug kingpin Marlo Stanfield in The Wire.
  • Clayton LeBouef plays an attorney in the season 11 Law & Order episode "Teenage Wasteland" and has a recurring role as front-man Wendell "Orlando" Blocker in season 1 of The Wire.
  • Michael Salconi plays Ritter in the season 12 Law & Order episode "Who Let the Dogs Out?" and has a recurring role as Officer Michael Santangelo in The Wire.
  • Idris Elba plays Lonnie Liston in the season 12 Law & Order episode "3 Dawg Night" and stars as drug kingpin Stringer Bell in The Wire.
  • Melanie Nicholls King plays Trina Felton in the season 12 Law & Order episode "Girl Most Likely" and has a recurring role as Cheryl in The Wire.
  • Antonio D. Charity plays Detective Dexter Richmond in the season 14 Law & Order episode "Gunplay" and has a recurring role as Corrections Officer Dwight Tilghman in season 2 of The Wire.
  • Doug Olear plays Craig in the season 15 Law & Order episode "House of Cards" and has a recurring role as FBI Agent Terrance "Fitz" Fitzhugh in The Wire.
  • Tristan Wilds plays Will Manning in the season 18 Law & Order episode "Driven" and stars as Michael Lee in The Wire.

Shared crew members[]

  • Gloria Muzio has directed for both series.
  • Steve Shill has directed for both series.
  • Jim McKay has directed for both series.
  • Eric Overmyer worked as a consulting producer and writer for both series.
  • Ernest R. Dickerson worked as the cinematographer of the first series of Law and Order and has directed episodes of The Wire.
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