Michael O’Leary “Thrilled” for Recurring Role on LAW & ORDER: ORGANIZED CRIME! (EXCLUSIVE)
When the highly-anticipated LAW & ORDER spin-off, ORGANIZED CRIME, debuted earlier this month, GUIDING LIGHT alum Michael O’Leary (Rick) was a guest star in the first episode, playing Father Hogan. The soap vet appeared in the cemetery scenes during the burial of Det. Elliot Stabler’s wife, Kathy, but a majority of O’Leary’s interactions with series star Christopher Meloni were unfortunately cut from the final version of the episode. However, there is a silver lining for the actor: He is now officially a recurring guest star on the NBC drama!
“Exciting news!” O’Leary tweeted, sharing a shot from the ORGANIZED CRIME set of him with Meloni and SVU’s Mariska Hargitay (Olivia Benson). “My character, Father Hogan, is now recurring! Thrilled to work with Chris Meloni again!”
To recap for those not in the know, Stabler and his wife had been living in Italy for the past decade with their youngest son while he worked as the NYPD’s international liaison. They returned to New York City to see their old friend, Olivia, receive an award, but shortly after they arrived, Kathy was injured when their rental car exploded thanks to a bomb meant for her husband. Kathy later died from her injuries and ever since, Stabler has been spiraling in the wake of his wife’s murder.
“I’m thrilled to be given this amazing opportunity,” O’Leary exclusively tells Soaps In Depth. “It appears that Father Hogan will be a spiritual mentor for Stabler as he navigates his rage over the murder of his wife.”
O’Leary is set to report to the ORGANIZED CRIME set next week to tape his next episode and adds that there is an “intriguing” backstory that will connect Father Hogan with the devoutly Catholic Stabler family.
LAW & ORDER: ORGANIZED CRIME airs Thursdays at 10 p.m. EST on NBC.
