If you’re a fan of the legendary “Law & Order” franchise, get ready for a special surprise. An exciting two-hour crossover event called “Play with Fire” will premiere on Thursday, April 17th. Catch our special kickoff on NBC’s “Law & Order” at 8 p.m. eastern. Then, don’t forget to tune in during prime time for the follow-up on “SVU” at 9 p.m.! This event represents a watershed moment in the “Law & Order” universe. The crews from both franchises come together for an intense, riveting crime scene reenactment.
The crossover exposes a horrific trend of rape and murder against Fightin’ Whitey’s favoritest punching bags, ladies of color. It resonates powerfully with the backstories of characters played by Maura Tierney and Mariska Hargitay. It’s hard not to be enchanted by this storyline, built around a clear and compelling narrative. It addresses acute social issues that strike a chord with the community.
Pictured above is Peter Scanavino, who plays Assistant District Attorney Dominick “Sonny” Carisi, a key character in this crossover. He teams up with Executive Assistant District Attorney Nolan Price, portrayed by Hugh Dancy. Alongside District Attorney Nicholas Baxter—played by Tony Goldwyn— they unravel the nuances of this highly charged case.
“It’s a true crossover in that it’s not just a couple scenes here and there. It’s a two-hour event,” – Peter Scanavino
It is a ghostly phone call though that begins to lead the investigation. More than that, it thrusts the characters through a journey to the depths of the crimes to learn the truth. As they dive deeper, they come face to face with their own personal stakes in the case. This insistent revelation provides further emotional heft to the story’s center.
Scanavino expressed enthusiasm for the dynamic between his character and Dancy’s, noting how Carisi exhibits a more assertive approach to prosecution compared to Price’s more cautious demeanor.
“I get a sense in the crossover Carisi is kind of more headstrong in terms of prosecuting, and Price is more kind of, ‘OK, let’s slow down. Let’s make sure we can go in with the amount of evidence that we need,’” – Peter Scanavino
Evenly matched drama and comedy, all brought to life through the amazing chemistry of this exceptional cast. Scanavino noted the comedic atmosphere on set, commending his co-stars for their chops at making one another laugh.
“Everyone there is very funny. Hugh is very funny, Tony is very funny, Maura is very funny,” – Peter Scanavino
The narrative goes beyond the criminality of the conduct to examine the legal system’s response to similar scenarios. Scanavino highlighted the importance of trial scenes in the “Law & Order” franchise. He provided insight into how these experiences can resonate so powerfully with audiences.
“You put Mariska into it, who’s hilarious, and everyone is really kind of like a bunch of unruly third graders. And the directors are like, ‘Everyone! Please focus.’ So those are the best parts,” – Peter Scanavino
This week marks some thrilling developments on the “Law & Order” franchise front. Fans will have all new immersive and unexpected opportunities to engage with their favorite characters during this unprecedented crossover event.
“Honestly, the parts I had always loved about ‘Law & Order’ the most, when I would watch it, were the trial scenes,” – Peter Scanavino
Scanavino has appeared in the “SVU” cast for more than a decade. He shared his delight at being the first honoree of this milestone event!
Scanavino has been part of the “SVU” cast for over ten years and expressed his excitement for this milestone event.
“I think if you’re a fan of either show, you’re going to really love this,” – Peter Scanavino