Tell us why you love this show and this character.
Holy cow. That’s tough. Well, this is only my third season, and the setup for me is perfect. With Sex and the City, it was a beautiful setup because I’d come in for a few days—but not every day. And now I get every other episode off, which at this point in my life is essential.
This Law & Order: Criminal Intent—it’s a different format and also a much bigger responsibility than the original Law & Order: Criminal Intent. We used to be only responsible for half of the show. Now we are carrying the audience point by point to the resolution of the crime. That’s problematic for actors because being a procedural drama, you become what I call plot dogs. I like the real kind of police work and the real characters of New York detectives because I think they’re fascinating on their own. Regardless of who you are, by being a New York cop that means you have to go through a certain amount and you have to live in the city. So I wanted more, which is what the original Law & Order: Criminal Intent focused on as much as they could before they became completely procedural. But we have a whole new writing staff now. I have a new partner, Julianne Nicholson, who’s on maternity leave right now, and Warren Leight has infused the show with a new sense of believability and a new sense of who we are as we carry through the story.
And being on USA Network is such a breath of fresh air for us.
I really enjoy both of my partners a lot. They bring a lot of energy and youthful enthusiasm that carries over in the character. So that said, it’s a really tough job: An hour-long procedural program can be deadening—and you have to fight it, you really have to fight it. It’s excruciating hours and it’s tough to do, but given what I just talked about, with all the factors and the people, I think we’re doing some worthwhile stuff and I think people are starting to pay attention to that.
So you mentioned two partners. Alicia Witt is your temporary partner while Julianne Nicholson is out on maternity leave. How’s that going? You being nice to the new girl?
She can take it. She’s great. She’s got this beautiful physical presence. Tough. Ballsy. Impetuous. I say, she’s a young Detective Mike Logan in a female body. So it’s fun for him to watch her climb the way he used to. He’s had some hard life lessons and hasn’t necessarily matured, but he’s able to see the bigger picture maybe more. But we’re getting along great, and she also happens to be a fantastic musician and singer. She’s going to be my introductory act at the Rainforest Action Network benefit, so we’re having a good time. I love her energy. She never complains—she’s a trouper.
