LAW & ORDER: Jesse Metcalfe Previews His ‘Action-Heavy’ Guest Spot

March 20, 2025 by Marisa Roffman

LAW & ORDER — “Folk Hero” Episode 24017 — Pictured: Jesse Metcalfe as Sgt. Danny DeLuca — (Photo by: Virginia Sherwood/NBC)

When a CEO is gunned down in public on the Thursday, March 20 episode of LAW & ORDER, it becomes a frantic chase for the cops to find the suspect.

Though Brady (Maura Tierney) and Riley (Reid Scott) quickly get to the scene of the crime in “Folk Hero,” the scope of the investigation means they need more cops (and technology) than the usual group: Enter the 2-7’s Sergeant Danny DeLuca (Jesse Metcalfe), who teams up with Riley as they try to contend with a public who isn’t exactly eager to help them out.

Here, Metcalfe talks with Give Me My Remote about his LAW & ORDER debut, filming (for the first time!) in New York City, and what to expect from the episode.

What was your familiarity with this show and the franchise before you filmed the episode?
I’m very familiar with the franchise. I am thrilled to be a part of LAW & ORDER. And I mean, it’s just such a storied franchise; so many incredible actors have guest starred on the show. And, in my humble opinion, I think this is the most talented cast of any procedural drama on TV. I’m honored to be a small part of it.

How did this LAW & ORDER guest spot come into your world?
I kind of pursued this opportunity. It started with an audition for the FBI spinoff, which led to this guest star [appearance]. But, yeah, I definitely wanted to be a part of this world; I see myself in this world. I screened the episode, and I think I’m very believable in this world. And it was just such an incredible opportunity to work with Reid Scott and Maura Tierney, two insanely talented actors. And they were just so warm and welcoming; there was instant chemistry, honestly. And I think people are really going to see that onscreen.

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A post shared by Jesse Metcalfe (@realjessemetcalfe)

What can you preview about your character and the case they’re all working?
I play Sergeant Danny DeLuca from the 27th precinct. My character has a relationship with Detective Riley and Lieutenant Brady. He is in the vicinity when this murder takes place. The victim’s a high-powered CEO, and they’re trying to track down his enemies in order to find [a] motive behind the murder. And the suspect is on the run. Detective Riley asks Sergeant DeLuca if he’ll lend a hand and he’s all over it.

Riley and DeLuca are together a lot as they’re trying to track down this suspect. What can you share about building that dynamic up with Reid and getting to work with him?
Well, it was easy. Really easy. Reid is an exceptional actor. And he’s just an all-around great guy, he was just really supportive, easy to work with. And he makes it look easy because he’s so talented…I really just felt like we had an instant rapport, and many people on set—including some of the producers behind the show—commented on the chemistry. So I think it really works.

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What was it like working with Carlos Bernard as a director?
[Laughs.] Okay, here’s a pretty interesting anecdote: Carlos used to be an actor. I worked with Carlos on the reboot of DALLAS, [where] he played a cartel kingpin. So I was totally blown away when I showed up on set and got to hang out with Carlos. That’s actually where he got his big break—through one of the executives on the reboot of DALLAS, an incredible, television producer named Michael Robin. And this is my first time working with him [as a director], but he clearly made a name for himself.

After screening the episode yesterday, I was blown away at what he put together. I mean, the episode is just so compelling. And I think it’s really going to resonate with audiences. He did an incredible job and I loved working with him. He’s a real actors’ director. It was a love fest from day one. I couldn’t have had a better experience.

What is the difference for you as a performer when you’re working with a director who has acting experience versus someone who has never been in front of the camera?
It’s just so much easier—there’s a shorthand. There’s not really a lot of talk between takes. His notes were very succinct and to the point. I think he knew I was more than up for the task and capable to execute whatever he needed me to execute. And, honestly, it was very, very smooth. And I just felt like he was a friend from day one. So I just felt very supported to do my very best work.

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This is a deceptively physical hour—DeLuca is on the move a lot. How did that element impact your performance?
That really drew me into the episode, all the action. This is a very action-heavy episode of LAW & ORDER. You know, we were running through the streets of lower Manhattan in twenty degree weather for a couple weeks straight. And it was really exciting. I got to do a little stunt driving—we were in pursuit of this suspect through different locations throughout New York City.

I’ve never shot in New York City before, so it was quite an experience. And it’s a huge production. So, yeah, it was really, really fun.

I imagine filming in New York might have a different kind of figurative heartbeat than filming in other places. What surprised you the most about that element, especially because you were on the street so much?
Well, when you’re filming on the streets of New York, there’s obviously a lot of different variables and things to contend with. But this is an incredibly experienced and professional production team and crew. So it’s a well-oiled machine.

[But] there’s a lot of lookie-loos. There’s people, from time to time, yelling in scenes. Some people recognize me. During one rehearsal, there was a group of young ladies that were yelling my name from across the street. [Laughs.] Which was a little embarrassing in the moment.

You mentioned the heartbeat of the city: It certainly brings, shooting in the city, an intensity and an adrenaline to the scenes, and it makes everything just feel that much more real and alive.

This interview has been condensed and edited for clarity.

LAW & ORDER, Thursdays, 8/7c, NBC

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LAW & ORDER: Jesse Metcalfe Previews His ‘Action-Heavy’ Guest Spot

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