Being an actor in demand is nice. You can open up the trades, read about the hot new projects in development, and know that these people want me to star in this thing. Sam Waterston probably hasn't felt that way in a while.
When NBC announced that it was bringing back regular Law & Order, it said "boy, we would really like to get Sam Waterston back." Waterston played the role of Jack McCoy on Law & Order, so his return would signify a major connection to the original series, but newcomers Jeffrey Donovan and Hugh Dancy were all added.
Was Waterston waiting for NBC to add some zeroes to their offer? Was he worried about fitting in with the old eyebrows? Waterston will be returning to Law & Order for a 17th season, according to Deadline.
Wolf said that Waterston has a perfect pitch for Jack McCoy that reflects and expands our ability to understand the law. He hopes that Waterston ends up emulating the career of New York District Attorney Robert Morgenthau, who served until he was 90. Waterston turned 81 in November.
The new version of Law & Order will premiere on NBC on February 24 as part of a Law & Order Thursday lineup, which has to be one of the sweetest phrases NBC has heard in decades. It could also bring back Friends.
