Law & Order’s Jesse L. Martin Preferred Knowing Almost Nothing About His Character – Looper

During the Female.com interview, Jesse L. Martin was asked if he thought Detective Green evolved over the years. “He has certainly evolved,” Martin answered. He then spoke about how “Law & Order” makes fans think they know more about the characters than they do while focusing on the story’s real point — the crimes and how they’re either brought to justice or how the justice system fails victims.

“It really is about the case at hand and the only time you learn anything about these characters is through their work,” Martin continued. “So the only evolution is through work and I think my character has gotten so much better at his job and I couldn’t ask for better than that.” To be fair, the franchise does an excellent job at showing character growth through their dedication (or lack thereof) to their jobs. “Law & Order” has mastered focusing on the art of making the characters feel developed and relatable while also using them as devices to tell the real stories.

Other actors working on one of the many “Law & Order” series have discussed this before. Ice-T, who plays Odafin “Fin” Tutuola on “Law & Order: Special Victims Unit,” has also mentioned that the show isn’t about the characters’ individual stories. Dick Wolf, the creator of “Law & Order,” wants it to be about the crimes, not the characters.