Maura Tierney previews her Law and Order character Lt. Grady and her tension with Olivia Benson

Maura Tierney previews her Law and Order character Lt. Grady and her tension with Olivia Benson

As a dedicated gamer of crime dramas spanning decades, I must say that the addition of Maura Tierney to Law and Order is a move that has me buzzing with anticipation! With her impressive resume that includes NewsRadio, ER, The Affair, and American Rust, it’s safe to say that Jessica Grady will be no pushover.


Maura Tierney is set to appear on the popular series “Law and Order” soon, and she’s offering a glimpse into the character of her forthcoming superior!

As a dedicated fan, I’m no stranger to the ever-changing cast of characters that graces the screens in “Law & Order”. The latest season, season 23, kicked off with Jeffrey Donovan bidding farewell as Frank Cosgrove and Reid Scott joining our ranks as Detective Vincent Riley. However, midway through this season, a significant shift occurred when Sam Waterston, the long-standing iconic D.A. Jack McCoy, decided to hang up his legal robes. Tony Goldwyn stepped into the role, taking over as Nicholas Baxter.

Back in May, it didn’t come as a shock when I learned that Camryn Manheim, who joined the series during its 2022 revival as Lieutenant Kate Dixon, was saying goodbye to the show. Details about how Dixon exits are still under wraps, but the producers have already welcomed Maura Tierney on board, with her making her debut in the season 24 premiere as Lieutenant Jessica Grady.

Tierney has acted in the show before, having made her acting debut with an episode of Law and Order back in 1991, well before she gained fame on NewsRadio and went on to have a successful career that includes roles in ER, The Affair, American Rust, and many other shows.

In an interview with Entertainment Weekly, Tierney discussed her debut role, highlighting that Grady differs from previous lieutenants as instead of being confined to the office and communicating with police, she’ll be out at crime scenes, playing a more active role in case investigations. This will start with the premiere, where a prosecutor is murdered within their own home.

Tierney confessed that she was somewhat anxious when it came to joining the legendary series for a significant part, but she appears ready to demonstrate how her character Grady, a retired homicide detective, is still dealing with substantial cases – even involving a well-known police officer from the Law and Order unit.

What happens when Grady meets Benson on Law and Order?

In the upcoming episode of this season, things are set to get exciting as Mariska Hargitay joins the cast, portraying Olivia Benson. This time around, the SVU detective assists the team in solving a case that revolves around a dating app spiraling out of control, resulting in homicide. The pairing of Grady and Benson provides an enjoyable dynamic, but Tierney suggests their encounter might not be amicable.

It was funny to me because I read the script and I was like, ‘Oh, I get to call her Liv,’ which was very exciting and funny. We don’t really get along, our characters. They get into a disagreement about how a certain legal matter should be handled, so it was fun to get into it with her a little bit.

Grady is determined to win over Riley and Shaw (Mehcad Brooks), which surprises them due to her assertive demeanor. This could potentially result in conflicts with the prosecutors. Consequently, it seems that Tierney is prepared to bring a fresh energy to Law and Order as she takes on the role of lieutenant, marking a daring change from previous commanders in season 24.

Law and Order season 24 premieres Thursday, October 3 at 8/7c on NBC.

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2024-09-17 23:23