Gothamist
A non-profit newsroom, powered by WNYC.
Gothamist
Listen Live
Arts & Entertainment
NOOOOO: S. Epatha Merkerson To Leave Law & Order
By
Jen Chung
Published Apr 2, 2010
Modified Apr 2, 2010
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
Never miss a story
Email address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .
By
Jen Chung
Published Apr 2, 2010
Modified Apr 2, 2010
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
We rely on your support to make local news available to all
Make your contribution now and help Gothamist thrive in 2026. Donate today
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
S. Epatha Merkerson, who portrays the beloved Lieutenant Anita Van Buren on Law & Order, told Entertainment Weekly that she will be leaving the show after this season, "It’s a graceful way to go. It’s the end of my contract this year, and the storyline has been so perfect. I’ve given it my best for 16 years. It’s time to move on. I’m doing other things and this will be a great way to leave what has been an extraordinary gig."
It's unclear what the fate of Van Buren, who has been dealing with cervical cancer, will be (they are only getting scripts for the final episodes now). Merkerson said she didn't have a preference, "Van Buren is a hell of a character. How ever they decide to take her out it’ll be worthy of the character. Either way it’ll be great for me because I get to act it. [Laughs]" She says she's looking forward to other opportunities—she's currently producing a documentary and, in recent years, won awards for her performance in the TV movie Lackawanna Blues and raves for the play Come Back, Little Sheba.
When asked about her favorite memory, Merkerson said, "That’s a hard one. I loved singing three-part harmony with Jerry [Orbach] and Jesse [Martin]. Jerry and Jesse knew every song that was ever recorded from Broadway. The thing that I hold dear is that even with everyone coming and going, I still keep in touch with most everyone. They’re still very much a part of my life, and I don’t think that will change." A very special memory for us is when we visited the set of Law & Order in March 2004: Right before they filmed a scene, Merkerson, Martin and Orbach were happily singing, and their joy seemed to pump up the crew.
Merkerson has been the show's longest-running full cast member (she's followed by Sam Waterston), but did you know she appeared in an episode during the show's first season as the mother of two victims? And another fun fact: Leslie Hendrix, who plays M.E. Rodgers has been on the show since 1992!
Tagged
jerry orbach
Jesse L. Martin
Law & Order
S. Epatha Merkerson
tv
Jen Chung
Jen Chung is a former WNYC and Gothamist editor.
Read more
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
MORE arts-entertainment
In the algorithm age, NYC college radio DJs are still broadcasting the funky stuff
We dropped by WNYU to see what the next generation of radio DJs is up to. The answer is "Br00tal Beats To Study/Relax To."
By
James Ramsay
Published Oct 22, 2026 at 11:18 a.m. ET
A Queens prop shop shutters, bunnies find a home uptown, and more openings and closings
Highlights of shifts in the city's business landscape.
By
Hannah Frishberg
Arts & Entertainment
A Queens prop shop shutters, bunnies find a home uptown, and more openings and closings
Highlights of shifts in the city's business landscape.
By
Hannah Frishberg
A new film invites you to eavesdrop on one of the greatest conversations in NYC history
By
Sonia Rao
The Knicks are NBA champions. Now they have to start dressing the part.
By
Sonia Rao
Will Barnes and Noble in the East Village spell doom for smaller shops? It's complicated.
By
Sonia Rao
Never miss a story
Catch up on the most important headlines with a roundup of essential NYC stories, delivered to your inbox daily.
Sign upEmail address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .