Law & Order Vet Elisabeth Röhm on Directing Sam Waterston, If She’ll Return as ADA Serena Southerlyn
After starring as Law & Order ADA Serena Southerlyn from Seasons 12-15, Elisabeth Röhm returned to direct last week’s episode, which was titled “Only the Lonely.”
The opportunity came as part of NBC Universal’s Female Forward program, which is aimed at greater inclusion of women directors in scripted programming.
“It was the first time I had done episodic [television], and I was really excited to have the support of the [Dick] Wolf camp and NBC,” Röhm tells TVLine.
The episode centered on a con man accused of murdering a crisis consultant who threatened to expose his scam. Grace Pollard (played by Orange Is the New Black’s Alysia Reiner), a key witness on the case, was hesitant to testify because of how damaging her romantic connection to the defendant would be to both her career and reputation. However, ADA Maroun (Odelya Halevi) convinced the New York power player to take the stand, because of what it would mean for other women.
“I wanted [Odelya] to step into every single scene with her guns blazing, knowing that she had legal precedent behind her, but also just wanting so much to be a voice and a protector of all of these women,” Röhm explains. Having Maroun act as a defender of all women during the trial after pushing Grace to testify was exciting for the Law & Order helmer. “That was very specific and important to me,” she notes.
Hugh Dancy’s Nolan, meanwhile, played a more supportive role in the courtroom, giving Maroun the space she needed to make her case. With those scenes, Röhm says she “wanted to explore observing somebody that you care about coming into their power and finding it incredibly attractive.” Not in a romantic way, but rather as “human beings who see each other, respect each other and work together. And [having Price] observe her coming into her power like that — finding her voice — I think he was very moved by it.”
The episode also reunited Röhm with her former costar Sam Waterston, who plays DA Jack McCoy. “I couldn’t believe it. I was thinking myself, ‘How was I here not too long ago as a newbie, the next girl in line to play his sidekick, now getting the privilege to be a collaborator like this in a different way?'” she recalls of the experience.
“He loves what he does [and] you can see it,” she adds. “He’s still so good and committed to his career, and he was really generous with me, really complimentary and rooting for me to succeed. He knows how much I love directing and how much I’ve been working on reinventing my career as a director.”
With Röhm focused on directing, what does that mean for a potential on-screen return as ADA Southerlyn? While there are currently “no plans in the works” for an appearance, she confirms that it has been a conversation.
“At this point, I would really love to just return in the captain’s seat and direct for them again, but I’m open to anything,” she says.
What did you think of Röhm’s Law & Order directorial debut? Do you want to see her back as ADA Southerlyn?
IS THIS BECAUSE I’M A LESBIAN?!?!?!?!
Aargh, too fast for me.
Hahaha, I’ll never forget it! 😁
I was confused by this for a minute and then I saw the other comments and remembered. So very weird.
if She doesn’t mention I will never noted, she always acted so professional, that’s all that matters, am glad she’s back.
–“You’re rehired!”
–“Is this because I’m a lesbian?”
(FYI, that’s what they refer to as a callback.)
I understood that reference.
😅😅😅
This was one of, if not the best episodes of the revival.
I thought so too, Alyssa Reiner and Odelya Halevi were great. However, as much as I liked Dancy in other projects, he is the weak link in the revival.
Agreed, and I also wish Camryn Manheim’s role went to Aida Turturro…maybe they’d utilize the role more!
thank you!! – alysia
I agree as well! Darcy is amazing in everything else, and terrible on this show. But I think it’s because he’s never had to act with nothing. Like, they give him NOTHING. His character is just vanilla. No real backstory, aside from where he went to college (yawn). And no personality. I hope he leaves soon!
I wish her great success as a director. Her exit was strange with that out of left field lesbian reveal. I’d like to see her return in front of the camera just to explore that revaluation a bit more. Serena advocating LGBTQ+…
Please God. Let her direct….let her act…..Get some of the original cast to return. Turn up the heat.
This show needs a lot of the old Law & Order energy back.
I want Serena back as a defense attorney or an expert witness or even as a defendant.
I was pleasantly surprised when her name popped up on my tv last Thursday. She did a great job on the episode. It feels like the show found a better grove this season, and her episode attributed to that. I hope she gets to direct more of them
The episode (only the lonely) was the best so far for this rebooted Law and Order main show. Overall, it’s been terrible. But this one was fantastic – great script, and great performances.
I would love to see Roehm return to any of the Law and Orders. I enjoyed last weeks Law and Order episode , I am a fan of the Law and Order franchise.
Get rid of Hugh Dancey. He’s not a good actor. Put Elizabeth in Hugh’s role and more people will watch
Back as a director or any other role because she do her job with passion and caring for all staff.
I’ve always believed that Rohm killed the series. Not good to be so critical I know, but I think she is one of the worst actors on television. Her and that Linus guy ruined Law & Order. I just look at the real old ones when I can. They were great.
I think she would be a great ADA I am not happy with the current one
she does not seem to nr compassion enough for me and I watch every show