The Scandal star takes over as the new District Attorney on tonights episode.
Tony Goldwynhas some big shoes to fill.
TheScandalalum is taking over as District Attorney onLaw & OrderfollowingSam Waterstons departure from the show.
Tony Goldwyn as District Attorney Nicholas Baxter.NBC
In a clip from his debut as D.A.
I was just walking uptown and I saw the swirling lights and I got excited, he says.
Thought Id pop my head inside.
Havent been to a crime scene in over 30 years couldnt help myself.
Ahead of tonights episode, Goldwyn spoke with EW about (re)joining theLaw & Orderuniverse.
NBC
EW: How did your time onLaw & Orderinitially materialize?
I thought it sounded like a really fun opportunity.
You directed an episode ofLaw & Orderin 2006.
What was your initial impression of the show?
I mean, I’d been a big fan of the show and it first aired in 1990.
It was a very groundbreaking show when it started.
There was nothing ever like it.
And over the years, they’ve really maintained exactly what it started out as.
And Sam, for so many years, was the sort of cornerstone of that.
So maybe what most impressed me as I stepped into this is… that it really hasn’t changed.
But that doesn’t mean it’s gotten stale.
They just really maintain the integrity of the show and always have the highest caliber actors on it.
You were in a few episodes of the spinoffLaw & Order: Criminal Intentin the mid-2000s.
How does this experience differ or compare to your time on that show?
Well, it’s very different when you’re the central character in it.
I had a really fun guest part.
I playedVincent DOnofrios crack-addicted brother.
So I think I did four episodes in one season and that was great.
But it is just a completely different experience, even though it’s the sameLaw & Orderuniverse.
It just feels different when you’re a central character on the show.
How does your work here compare to something likeScandal?
I’m still just discovering it.
That’s just not what the show is, since its more focused on the work of the characters.
What were your initial impressions of the cast of this iteration ofLaw & Order?
My very first scene was withReid ScottandMehcad Brooks, who I really admire.
And working so closely withHugh Dancyand Odelya Halevi has been really fun.
It has just been easy and terrific and super professional and they’re all just really good.
What shouldLaw & Orderfans expect from your time on the show?
I think thatLaw & Orderfans should expect someone who brings a very different vibe to the D.A.s office.
than Jack, and that’s going to create some tensions and problems in the office.
Tony Goldwyn debuts onLaw & Orderon NBC on Thursday at 8:00 p.m. ET/PT.
Watch the full preview clip above.
