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Dennis Farina's 'Law & Order' Replacement is Milena Govich

News Type: Event — Wed May 31, 2006 4:03 AM EDT

Milena Govich

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Reuter's reported late last night that Dennis Farina's replacement on Law & Order will be 29-year-old Oklahoma native Milena Govich, formerly of the recently canceled Dick Wolf lawyer drama Conviction.

The Associated Press revealed yesterday that Dennis Farina, who has portrayed New York Police Detective Joe Fontana on the original Law & Order series for the past two years, is departing the show "to pursue other offers and projects being developed by his production company."

To Rescue Me fans, Govich is known as Danielle/Candy, the brunette who conned poor gullible Lieutenant Kenneth "Lou" Shea (John Scurti) into believing she wanted to begin a new life with him at the end of last season.

To Conviction fans, she's the only female cast member who was reduced to appearing in her underwear in the opening credits of every single episode. Maybe they'll keep her assets better covered on Law & Order.

Even if not, this development is still great news for any viewers who have been waiting for a female detective on the long-running series. Govich certainly proved that she can be stony-faced enough when required on Conviction, often to the point of scariness.

While Govich may not have anything on Mariska Hargitay, Kathryn Erbe, and Annabella Sciorra, the other/first three regular female detectives on Law & Order: Special Victims Unit (Hargitay) and Law & Order: Criminal Intent (Erbe and Sciorra), in the acting or familiarity departments, the newest addition to the L&O family is definitely making some television history of her own now. Here's hoping she's up to the task.

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{"commentId":141347,"authorDomain":"culturevulture73"}
culturevulture73

If Govich comes over to L&O, she will be in her character from Conviction, replacing Annie Parisse, not Dennis Farina.

{"commentId":141347,"threadId":"20585","contentId":"235763","authorDomain":"culturevulture73"}
  • 1 vote
Reply#1 - Wed May 31, 2006 9:57 AM EDT
{"commentId":141395,"authorDomain":"helpmeimpeachbush"}
HelpMeImpeachBush
If Govich comes over to L&O, she will be in her character from Conviction, replacing Annie Parisse, not Dennis Farina.

I was hoping Stephanie March would replace Annie Parisse and reprise her role of "Alexandra Cabot."

I guess they couldn't have one character named "Alexandra" replace another character named "Alexandra" (Parisse's character, "Alexandra Borgia"). And come to think of it, they've got yet ANOTHER character named "Alexandra" over on L&O:CI.

{"commentId":141395,"threadId":"20585","contentId":"235763","authorDomain":"helpmeimpeachbush"}
  • 1 vote
#1.1 - Wed May 31, 2006 10:41 AM EDT
Reply
{"commentId":141370,"authorDomain":"super-structure"}
Jason Coleman

I'll miss Farina, since he played such a great character (basically, himself I think). It will be good to get some new energy into this show, though. I have to admit I'm never seen Govich in anything before but she sounds promising.

{"commentId":141370,"threadId":"20585","contentId":"235763","authorDomain":"super-structure"}
  • 1 vote
Reply#2 - Wed May 31, 2006 10:16 AM EDT
{"commentId":141440,"authorDomain":"chandra"}
Chandra W.

Dang... I really didn't want to log in here from work, but I have to clarify a point.

If Govich comes over to L&O, she will be in her character from Conviction, replacing Annie Parisse, not Dennis Farina.

According to Reuters and numerous other sources today, Govich will be replacing Farina as a detective, not Parisse as an ADA.

My brain was actually on autopilot when I first read the news, and I originally posted an article to the effect of what culturevulture73 stated. Thankfully, I realized my error soon enough and came back and corrected everything.

I rechecked again a short while ago just to be sure and it appears the info I posted above is accurate.

{"commentId":141440,"threadId":"20585","contentId":"235763","authorDomain":"chandra"}
  • 2 votes
Reply#3 - Wed May 31, 2006 11:08 AM EDT
{"commentId":141813,"authorDomain":"culturevulture73"}
culturevulture73

...which doesn't really make sense, because then the woman/man/man vs. man/man/woman balance is out and didn't the actress play a lawyer in Conviction? It's still technically the same universe.

I saw the Hollywood Reporter article too--I think it's badly worded but it too says that.

my apologies!

{"commentId":141813,"threadId":"20585","contentId":"235763","authorDomain":"culturevulture73"}
  • 1 vote
Reply#4 - Wed May 31, 2006 3:15 PM EDT
{"commentId":141978,"authorDomain":"chandra"}
Chandra W.

No problem, culturevulture73. I never thought about the casting in terms of the balance you mentioned. It's an interesting point because no matter whether Parisse is replaced with a man or a woman, the gender balance will still be skewed: woman/man/woman and man/man/woman OR woman/man/woman and man/man/man.

I was sort of hoping for the first male ADA since Robinette way back in the beginning, but your observation has got me thinking a bit differently now. In the first option, at least the men and women will be divided evenly at 3 apiece, so perhaps another new female ADA is the best way to go.

Then again, maybe fans should just be satisfied if the actress or actor chosen is a good fit and sticks around for more than a season or two since, of course, L&O will probably be around for another 20 years or so. :-)

{"commentId":141978,"threadId":"20585","contentId":"235763","authorDomain":"chandra"}
  • 2 votes
Reply#5 - Wed May 31, 2006 4:20 PM EDT
{"commentId":142137,"authorDomain":"culturevulture73"}
culturevulture73

Then again, maybe fans should just be satisfied if the actress or actor chosen is a good fit and sticks around for more than a season or two since, of course, L&O will probably be around for another 20 years or so. :-)

Only if the writing improves ;-)

{"commentId":142137,"threadId":"20585","contentId":"235763","authorDomain":"culturevulture73"}
  • 2 votes
Reply#6 - Wed May 31, 2006 5:56 PM EDT
{"commentId":142334,"authorDomain":"twoply"}
twoply

Jumping roles wouldn't be something new in the L&O universe.

S. Epatha Merkerson was a mother whose kid was killed on a early episode.

The next time she showed up, to stay, she's head of the department.

{"commentId":142334,"threadId":"20585","contentId":"235763","authorDomain":"twoply"}
  • 2 votes
Reply#7 - Wed May 31, 2006 8:27 PM EDT
{"commentId":142343,"authorDomain":"chandra"}
Chandra W.
Jumping roles wouldn't be something new in the L&O universe.

Exactly, twoply. And let's not even get started with the numerous guest stars who've switched and/or replayed roles within and between the various versions.

{"commentId":142343,"threadId":"20585","contentId":"235763","authorDomain":"chandra"}
  • 1 vote
Reply#8 - Wed May 31, 2006 8:35 PM EDT
{"commentId":209417,"authorDomain":"stefcio"}
stefcio

Sad news, really. Gone are the days of Logan, Briscoe, Ceretta and Greevy. Just another "cutie" show?

{"commentId":209417,"threadId":"20585","contentId":"235763","authorDomain":"stefcio"}
  • 1 vote
Reply#9 - Mon Jul 17, 2006 4:20 PM EDT
{"commentId":209655,"authorDomain":"chandra"}
Chandra W.
Just another "cutie" show?

Hi, stefcio. A whole lot of people would agree with that description, especially after Alana de la Garza, yet another attractive face and body, transplanted from CSI: Miami this time, was hired to replace the latest departed/murdered ADA, Annie Parisse. If we ever see an actress over 40 on the show again, she'll likely be either the DA or the detectives' boss.

{"commentId":209655,"threadId":"20585","contentId":"235763","authorDomain":"chandra"}
    #9.1 - Mon Jul 17, 2006 6:50 PM EDT
    Reply
    {"commentId":209432,"authorDomain":"stefcio"}
    stefcio

    At least they could have found an actress over 40.... Nah, they'd never do that!

    {"commentId":209432,"threadId":"20585","contentId":"235763","authorDomain":"stefcio"}
    • 1 vote
    Reply#10 - Mon Jul 17, 2006 4:30 PM EDT
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