Law & Order: Criminal Intent
Law & Order: Criminal Intent
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Law & Order: Criminal Intent

7.6
Yr 2001
Rt 42m
Status Ended
Drama
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Series Brief

Overview

The third installment of the “Law & Order” franchise takes viewers deep into the minds of its criminals while following the intense psychological approaches the Major Case Squad uses to solve its crimes.

Critical Reception

What critics are saying

Score 70 /100

Law & Order: Criminal Intent occupies a distinct space within the franchise, frequently noted by critics as the most cerebral and psychologically driven installment. Many reviewers praised it as a taut and engaging addition to the Law & Order universe, with some viewers expressing high enthusiasm for its unique approach to the procedural format.

However, critical consensus remains somewhat divided. While some appreciate its dark and intriguing complexity, other critics view it as a dependably formulaic procedural that lacks true innovation. Ultimately, it is widely regarded as a solid, high-quality entry in the Dick Wolf canon, even if it does not always reach the heights of the franchise's original series.

“Criminal Intent is the most cerebral of the Law & Order shows.”

“It makes for taut, engaging television.”

“The series remains a dependably bland procedural.”

“Pretty good show. Not as good as the original Law & Order but fun to watch.”

Transmission Paths

Where to Watch

Sky Go
UK
5
UK
Peacock Premium
US
Show 2 more
Peacock Premium Plus
US
Now TV
UK
Why fans love it

Law & Order: Criminal Intent prioritizes the intellectual cat and mouse game over standard procedural mechanics. By splitting the scene between the detectives and the perpetrators, the series turns standard murder investigations into psychological chess matches. The focus remains on the specific motivations of the criminals in New York City rather than just the mechanics of the arrest.

Vincent D’Onofrio anchors the narrative as an investigator who reconstructs crimes through intuitive leaps that often leave his colleagues stunned. The Major Case Squad relies on this erratic brilliance to process complex cases that standard patrol units cannot crack. The resulting tension between the lead detective and his subjects provides a sharper edge than the typical investigation procedural.

Featured Players

Cast

Credited 75
Regulars 5
Longest run 144 eps
Vincent D'Onofrio
Vincent D'Onofrio
as Robert Goren
141 episodes
Kathryn Erbe
Kathryn Erbe
as Alexandra Eames
144 episodes
Courtney B. Vance
Courtney B. Vance
as Ron Carver
111 episodes
Julia Ormond
Julia Ormond
as Paula Gyson
8 episodes
Eric Bogosian
Eric Bogosian
as Danny Ross
61 episodes
Jamey Sheridan
Jamey Sheridan
as James Deakins
111 episodes
Chris Noth
Chris Noth
as Mike Logan
36 episodes
Alicia Witt
Alicia Witt
as Nola Falacci
5 episodes
Show 67 more
Julianne Nicholson as Megan Wheeler 24 episodes Jeff Goldblum as Zach Nichols 24 episodes Saffron Burrows as Serena Stevens 15 episodes Jay O. Sanders as Joseph Hannah 9 episodes Olivia D'Abo as Nicole Wallace 5 episodes Billy Lush as Conroy Smith 3 episodes Tony Goldwyn as Frank Goren 4 episodes Neal Jones as Bradshaw 3 episodes Griffin Dunne as Seamus Flaherty 3 episodes Rita Moreno as Frances Goren 3 episodes Gary Patent as Ira Whipple 5 episodes Leslie Hendrix as Elizabeth Rodgers 110 episodes Tracy Howe as Declan Martell 6 episodes Robert Levine as Judge Feist 3 episodes Geneva Carr as Faith Yancy 7 episodes Les McDonough as Court Clerk 4 episodes Peter Jay Fernandez as AR Cabezas 3 episodes A.D. Miles as Zach 3 episodes Christine Farrell as Arlene Shrier 3 episodes Les Mau as Young 3 episodes Jim Bracchitta as Vince Quitoriano 3 episodes John Roney as Detective Phipps 3 episodes Samantha Buck as G. Lynn Bishop 7 episodes Ernest Mingione as Sergeant 3 episodes James Murtaugh as Ned Worley 3 episodes William H. Burns as Officer Pritchett 3 episodes Carrie Preston as Doreen Whitlock 3 episodes Oni Faida Lampley as Eunice Peterson 3 episodes John Fiske as Warden Polonick 3 episodes Sal Mistretta as Attorney Jacobs 3 episodes Lydia Jordan as Charlotte 3 episodes Karen Tsen Lee as Annie Littleton 3 episodes Pete Macnamara as Bernard Posten 3 episodes Joe Gonzalez as Detective Petey 5 episodes Reathel Bean as Joe Edwards 3 episodes Dennis Paladino as Salazzo 3 episodes Jason Pendergraft as Rick Davenport 3 episodes Robert C. Kirk as Steve Yarrow 6 episodes Ean Sheehy as Joshua Simmons 8 episodes Chris Henry Coffey as Hobart 3 episodes Adrian Martinez as Airport Policeman 3 episodes Caris Vujcec as Louise Campesi 6 episodes Tony Campisi as Judge Gutierrez 3 episodes Tom Bloom as Palmer Abrigaille 3 episodes Glynis Bell as Anne Mayer 3 episodes Annabella Sciorra as Carolyn Barek 12 episodes Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio as Zoe Callas 14 episodes Chance Kelly as Court Officer 4 episodes Catrina Ganey as Jamie Scavato 4 episodes Traci Godfrey as Agnes Farley 10 episodes Geoffrey Cantor as Ronald Hardin 4 episodes Hudson Cooper as Detective Jefferies 9 episodes Jenna Stern as Lauren Langston 4 episodes John Rue as Harry Mulrooney 4 episodes Howard W. Overshown as Ozzie Rivera 4 episodes Mike Pniewski as Kenny Moran 6 episodes Natalie Gold as Claudia 4 episodes Lynn Adrianna as Michelle Hodman 4 episodes John Joseph Gallagher as Jack Doyle 4 episodes Seth Gilliam as Detective Daniels 4 episodes J.C. Montgomery as Alfred Perret 4 episodes James Biberi as Al Petrosino 4 episodes Angel David as Detective Gregg 4 episodes Magaly Colimon as CSU Technican Kallman 5 episodes Alberto Bonilla as CSU Morales 4 episodes Babs Olusanmokun as Assassin 4 episodes Iris Delgado as Officer Boyle 4 episodes
Signal Match

Similarity

Where Law & Order: Criminal Intent overlaps with other shows, and exactly what they have in common.

Keyword Cloud

Keywords

new york city nypd murder investigation
Technical Sheet

Details

First Aired
September 30, 2001
Status
Ended
Episode Runtime
42 minutes
Origin
US
TMDB Votes
380