Few can deny that Law & Order has been taken to new heights with Tony Goldwyn’s D.A. Nicholas Baxter at the helm of NBC’s iconic legal drama.
Since his arrival in Season 23 of Law & Order, Goldwyn’s steadfast D.A. has stolen hearts with his level-headed command and empathetic nature, effortlessly juggling the high-stakes pressure of NYC politics and hectic day-to-day precinct activities. After Baxter was tasked with replacing the longtime D.A. Jack McCoy (Sam Waterston), Baxter rose to the challenge with panache, bringing Law & Order viewers into a new era of high-octane investigations and nail-biting courtroom showdowns.
From the moment Goldwyn hopped aboard the flagship series, he knew he wanted to deliver something different to the Law & Order landscape as viewers got to know the magnetic D.A.
Tony Goldwyn says Baxter “brings a very different vibe” as a Law & Order D.A.
DA Nicholas Baxter (Tony Goldwyn) appears on Law & Order Season 24 Episode 4 “The Meaning Of Life”.
Part of the reason Baxter has been so successful in settling in as the Manhattan D.A. is that rather than mimic his predecessor, he brings something entirely new to the NYC court system. While Goldwyn’s Baxter has succeeded in filling McCoy’s shoes, that doesn’t mean he has always followed in McCoy’s footsteps.
“I think that Law & Order fans should expect someone who brings a very different vibe to the D.A.’s office,” Goldwyn told Entertainment Weekly in a March 2024 interview. “There are similarities between Jack McCoy and Nick Baxter — they’re both men of integrity, and they’re both incredibly competent, but Baxter is just a different kind of person.”
“He’s someone who takes more of a holistic view towards things and takes in political considerations and social considerations to decisions he makes,” Goldwyn said, adding that “McCoy was more in the tradition of sort of an Atticus Finch, old-school lawyer” and describing Baxter as a “more modern kind of D.A.”
Tasked with ushering in a new era of Law & Order thrills, it certainly helps that Goldwyn is no Law & Order rookie. Not only has he guest starred in various episodes across the vast franchise, but he’s also directed several episodes of the original series.
“It’s very different when you’re the central character in it. I had a really fun guest part,” Goldwyn explain, recalling his role as Vincent D’Onofrio’s brother. “But it is just a completely different experience [now], even though it’s the same Law & Order universe. It just feels different when you’re a central character on the show.”
Law & Order Season 25 Is Here!
The 27th Precinct has been busier than ever on Law & Order Season 25, with new episodes airing on Thursdays at 8/7c on NBC and the next day on Peacock
Season 25 stars Maura Tierney, Tony Goldwyn, Hugh Dancy, Odelya Halevi, Reid Scott, David Ajala, and Connie Shi.
This season, Lt. Jessica Brady and Detective Vincent Riley have more hands on deck with the arrival of Detective Theo Walker. Over in the D.A.’s office, Nicholas Baxter, Nolan Price, and Samantha Maroun continue to tackle each complex case that comes across their desks.
To fully immerse yourself in the iconic Dun Dun franchise, check out exclusive Law & Order merch from the NBC Store.
Tony Goldwyn’s first scene as D.A. Nicholas Baxter on Law & Order
DA Nicholas Baxter (Tony Goldwyn) on Law & Order Season 24, Episode 14.Photo: Virginia Sherwood/NBC
Goldwyn made his Law & Order debut in Season 23, Episode 7 (“The Balance of Power”), instantly making a splash as the enthusiastic Nicolas Baxter, the D.A. with the honor of taking over McCoy’s former Manhattan post. While Baxter can parley with the most high-strung of politicos, he also takes pride in his hands-on approach, with viewers seeing this steadfast dedication firsthand after he introduced himself to the 2-7 by eagerly barging into a crime scene.
“Whoa! Who the hell are you?” former Detective Jalen Shaw (Mehcad Brooks) asked as Baxter strolled in and said Detective Vincent Riley (Reid Scott) would need a warrant to seize a piece of evidence.
“I’m Nicolas Baxter. I was just sworn in as District Attorney…” Baxter told them, checking his watch before adding, “30 minutes to go to the exact.”
Upon brushing paths with their new boss, Shaw and Riley said it was a pleasure to meet him, but remained confused about the D.A.’s presence at the crime scene.
“It’s a pleasure to meet you, sir, but with all due respect, we got this,” Shaw said nervously. “This is our crime scene.”
“I understand, I was just walking up town and saw the swirling lights, and I got excited,” Baxter confessed. “I haven’t been to a crime scene in over 30 years, I couldn’t help myself. And I’m sorry to interfere, please get back to what you were doing.”
As Baxter made to leave, he turned back to tell the detectives, “There’s one more thing: I want you all to know that I’m going to do everything in my power to create a constructive and transparent relationship with the police.”
Shaw and Riley were caught off guard by the confident proclamation as Baxter smiled. “That’s it,” he shrugged, leaving the detectives to allow them to get back to work.
“Everyone is great. My very first scene was with Reid Scott and Mehcad Brooks, who I really admire,” Goldwyn told EW while reflecting on the joys of joining the Law & Order franchise. “Working so closely with Hugh Dancy and Odelya Halevi has been really fun… It has just been easy and terrific and super professional, and they’re all just really good.”