S. Epatha Merkerson Exits 'Law & Order'

Stage and screen actress S. Epatha Merkerson will leave 'Law & Order' after a 16-year run on the show. Following the announcement that Merkerson will leave the show at the end of this season, Entertainment Weekly's Michael Ausiello spoke to the Golden Globe and Emmy Award winner in an exclusive interview. Below is an excerpt of the interview.

Michael Ausiello: How did you arrive at this decision?

S. Epatha Merkerson: It's a graceful way to go. It's the end of my contract this year, and the storyline has been so perfect. I've given it my best for 16 years. It's time to move on. I'm doing other things and this will be a great way to leave what has been an extraordinary gig.

M.A.: When did you make the decision?

MERKERSON: It was probably midseason when I realized my contract was up. And I just looked at the things that I've been doing, and the show takes a lot of commitment. And I just felt like I wanted to do some other things.

M.A.: When did you talk to Dick Wolf?

MERKERSON: I talked with him yesterday.

M.A.: How did that go? What was his reaction?

MERKERSON: It was great. Dick is a great guy. And one of the things that I wanted to let him know was how much this job has meant to me and how I've appreciated the opportunity. We have a decent relationship, so he understood.

M.A.: Did the cancer storyline impact your decision at all? Did it get you thinking about maybe saying goodbye to Van Buren?

MERKERSON: It was a combination of things. I have no idea how this is going to end; the [final] scripts are just coming out now. And now that they know that I'm leaving they might make some changes. To me it felt like good timing. It's a great way to send off the character.

M.A.: Do you have a preference as to whether she lives or dies?

MERKERSON: Not necessarily. Van Buren is a hell of a character. How ever they decide to take her out it'll be worthy of the character. Either way it'll be great for me because I get to act it. [Laughs]

To read the rest of the interview on Entertainment Weekly, click here.

S. Epatha Merkerson won an Emmy, Golden Globe and SAG Award for her performance in the HBO movie "Lackawanna Blues."  She has appeared on Broadway in The Piano Lesson (for which she received a Tony nomination), Come Back, Little Sheba (which garnered her a second Tony Award nomination) and Tintypes. Her Off-Broadway credits include Birdie Blue, Three Ways Home and Lady Day at Emerson's Bar & Grill.

Photo by Walter McBride/Retna Ltd.