Embracing his role with zeal, Mehcad Brooks, renowned for portraying Detective Jalen Shaw in the riveting series “Law & Order,” is poised to step into his character for the third consecutive season. The 24th season of the show is all set to kick off on Thursday, 3rd October at 8 p.m. on NBC. The actor joined the series in its 22nd season, intriguingly when the series resumed after a gap of 12 years.
Brooks, now 43, vividly recalls his initial experience when he was roped in for the series, “I reacted in an incredibly enthusiastic and candid way; sort of like a child hearing exciting news. I remember, I was lying on my back, kicking my feet in the air, and laughing uncontrollably. It was simply a moment of pure delight.”
Brooks confesses that the classic drama was a significant part of his childhood. “This show used to play quite regularly at my home when I was young. It was almost synonymous with our daily household routine. To eventually become a key player in its storyline feels surreal and is a cherished dream to me,” he disclosed.
Detective Jalen Shaw, Brooks’ character, has tackled a bevy of challenging mysteries over the show’s course. In the previous season, he made headlines by preventing a suicidal man from jumping off a bridge. Interestingly, the man happened to be a murderer who shot a doctor, which consequently led up to a widely debated murder case questioning the use of race-induced trauma stress as a plausible defence.
The gritty detective started his journey in partnership with Frank Cosgrove, portrayed by Jeffrey Donovan. However, the narrative has since evolved, and his character now works alongside Detective Vincent Riley, expertly played by Reid Scott who’s famous for the celebrated show, “Veep”.
“I base my interpretation of Detective Shaw on my father, an unwavering civil right attorney with deep-seated beliefs in restorative justice,” Brooks shared. “I believe that Jalen embodies the same tenets of justice,” the actor added, revealing the inspiration behind his nuanced portrayal.
Being a regular on a show set in New York, Brooks encounters what he calls ‘New York moments’ nearly every day. His anecdotal experiences while shooting range from being interrupted by fervent fans during a scene to amusing interactions with locals who momentarily get carried away by seeing him in his character’s attire.
He fondly recounts, “These instances could vary from a cab driver honking mid-shot and exclaiming his love for our show, causing a slight inconvenience, but in a pleasant manner. Or it could be the occasional reactions from the locals, such as the time we entered a coffee shop for a scene and the barista froze upon recognizing us; momentarily lost in her overwhelming awe for the reel world we represent.”
Brooks also shared how the upcoming 24th season of ‘Law & Order’ is shaking things up to stay relevant and engaging. He confirmed, “Without a doubt, this is our best season yet. We’ve strived to maintain the original charm and DNA of the show that fans recognize, but we have also emphasised on giving it a modern, refreshed outlook.”
He elaborated on how the landscape of television consumption has significantly changed which they have factored in. “In the past, storylines revolving around crimes were enough to engage viewers. Now, audiences seek deeper insight into the personnel solving the cases. They wish to understand their motivations, their personal life, and past experiences,” he explained.
Brooks believe that the shift towards character-driven storytelling can be a boon for the series, generating more interest and complexity. He metaphorically compared the situation to managing a state-of-the-art ship, “All we need to do is slightly adjust our direction. That’s what will keep ‘Law & Order’ relevant in the current scenario.”
When questioned about his interactions with the rest of the cast, he revealed, “I occasionally work with Mariska Hargitay. Apart from her, I don’t have much interaction with the other veteran cast members of the show.”
However, he doesn’t find this limiting or distressing, “We are making a conscious effort to carve our own path. Yes, we are following in the footsteps of esteemed actors, but we’re confident and eager to leave our own marks,” he expressed confidently and optimistically.