Alfred Molina gets a new beat and becomes a cop on 'Law & Order: LA'
Alfred Molina, who plays deputy district attorney Ricardo Morales on NBC's "Law & Order: Los Angeles" is getting ready to walk a beat.
Molina's character, who was a 15-year veteran of the Los Angeles Police Department before moving to the justice system, is returning to the force as a detective, said series creator Dick Wolf. Molina will replace Skeet Ulrich, who is leaving the drama.
Terrence Howard, who alternated episodes with Molina in his role as deputy district attorney Jonah Dekker, will now appear in each episode of the series.
"We have the fortune of two world-class actors on LOLA [the informal name of " Law & Order: Los Angeles"], and it was frustrating to have one on the bench each week," said Wolf in a statement. "It would be like having Peyton Manning and Tom Brady as your quarterbacks, playing alternate games." [Updated on Jan 13: An earlier version of this post incorrectly spelled Peyton Manning's name and has been corrected.]
Under the scenario, Morales' return to the police force is fueled by his frustration as a prosecutor, which has reached "the tipping point."
--Greg Braxton
Photo: Alfred Molina. Credit: Amanda Edwards/Getty Images
"It would be like having Payton Manning and Tom Brady as your quarterbacks, playing alternate games." -- or even Peyton Manning
Posted by: Al | January 12, 2011 at 07:37 PM
It's interesting as the info keeps dribbling out. I like Molina and there will be a bit of sadness when I stop watching the show because I think the change will do it some good. But that's because I like Molina. I hate that Skeet Ulrich has been dropped. I won't waste time on the show without his presence.
Posted by: Elaine Maddox | January 13, 2011 at 01:03 AM
I like Alfred Molina as an actor and I liked the original LAO but the new isnt the same. Plus you spelled Peyton wrong, it's an "e" not an "a". Just saying
Posted by: Zach | January 13, 2011 at 06:12 AM
How insulting to Skeet Ulrich, who is also a "world class actor." I'd rather watch him than Alfred Molina anytime.
Posted by: Sheila | January 13, 2011 at 11:05 AM
Once more, you might want to spell Peyton correctly.
Posted by: Al | January 13, 2011 at 01:35 PM
Wah! I thought Skeet fit the cast nicely; I'll be sad to see him go. Do you know if he's got another gig on the line? I wonder if he got bumped to keep Molina happy, hmmmm.
Posted by: Sami Gowen | January 13, 2011 at 02:23 PM