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a14 people & arts
Wednesday 9 March 2022
Dylan McDermott reinvents modern gangster on ‘Law & Order’

By JOHN CARUCCI part. Many storylines from
Associated Press the “Law & Order” fran-
NEW YORK (AP) — The DNA chise are one and done.
for Dylan McDermott to Some villains may have a
reinvent the modern-day multiple-episode arc, but
gangster began at child- McDermott was blessed
hood and carried through with eight episodes to tell
to his struggling young ac- his story. And that quickly
tor days, when the “Law turned to 16 after executive
and Order: Organized producer Dick Wolf found it
Crime” star says he was necessary to continue the
“surrounded by the ilk” of Wheatley storyline.
unsavory types. His nemesis on the series,
McDermott, who grew up police detective Elliot Sta-
in New York, waited tables bler, who was last seen
and tended bar, often serv- on “Law & Order: SVU”
ing local mobsters, where is played by Christopher
he observed their capri- Meloni, a franchise fan fa-
cious behavior, he says. vorite.
And when he was younger, Meloni applauded the
he had an even closer rela- choices made by his scene
tionship. partner. At a recent event
“My mother’s boyfriend celebrating the upcoming
was a bank robber when I This image released by NBC shows Dylan McDermott as Richard Wheatley, in a scene from “Law return of the original “Law
was growing up,” McDer- & Order: Organized Crime. Associated Press & Order,” Meloni agreed
mott told The Associated that McDermott has re-
Press. life experiences helped Deadly, smart, and “woke,” “bad guy’’ character in invented the modern-day
“They all end up either Dylan McDermott bring the Wheatley character the future. gangster by “avoiding a
dead or in prison. So, there’s Richard Wheatley to life, defied the uncouth, knuck- That’s not lost on Nick minefield of cliché.”
no good stories there. He with a multi-episode arc on le-dragging demeanor so Creegan, who plays the “He didn’t fall into the
got his end, and it was not “Law & Order: Organized often seen in this type of character’s son, Richard traps an actor could have
— not good.” Crime” that wrapped re- role. Wheatley, the CEO Wheatley Jr. The young ac- tripped on. He is the villain
(His parents split when the cently. of an online pharmaceuti- tor says he was constantly for the 21st century,” Melo-
actor was a child, and his “I was privy to a world cal company, the son of a surprised by the actions of ni said.
mother, Diane McDermott, that probably most actors New York mobster, and a his on-screen dad, add- Even McDermott admits
died in what was ruled would not be. And I always father with close ties to his ing, “it was pretty much as being surprised by some of
an accidental shooting in absorbed that, and I al- children, had more of the twisted as you would think it the stuff he was allowed to
1967. In 2012, a reopened ways took it in. And I hope depth of a Bond villain than would be.” get away with on the show.
Waterbury, Connecticut, one day to be able to use a New York gangster. “The fact that you just “I did things that I thought
police investigation con- that, all that information in With danger and moder- didn’t know what he was would rub against the net-
cluded that she was killed my own life and put it into a nity, Wheatley adds anoth- thinking kept you on your work,” he said. His smoking,
by her now-dead gangster character. And then Rich- er dimension that breaks toes,” Creegan said. rarely seen on network tele-
boyfriend.) ard Wheatley presented away from the stereotype, The format of the NBC vision, for example, was not
This convergence of real- himself,” McDermott said. potentially redefining the show also played a big met with resistance.q

Apple, MLB announce ‘Friday Night

Baseball’ package

ry a weekly doubleheader strictions. games, mostly on Sunday
on Friday nights in eight Besides being shown in nights. Turner Sports will
countries when the regular the United States, Canada have games on Tuesday
season begins. Games will and Mexico, games will nights under a new rights
initially be available with- also initially be available deal that begins this sea-
out the need for an Apple in Australia, Brazil, Japan, son.
TV+ subscription. South Korea, and the Unit- Apple and MLB have been
MLB has been under a ed Kingdom. closely aligned for years.
work stoppage since own- The agreement also in- MLB At Bat was one of the
ers locked out players at cludes the “MLB Big In- first apps to go live on the
Seattle Mariners gather as the MLB logo is shown during a
review of an attempted catch by right fielder Mitch Haniger of the end of the collective ning” weekday show for Apple app store in 2008.
a ball hit by Tampa Bay Rays’ Ji-Man Choi that was originally bargaining agreement. At fans in the US as well as The deal also comes as
called an out during the ninth inning of a baseball game 97 days, it is the second- a livestream channel for Apple is looking to ex-
Friday, June 18, 2021, in Seattle. longest work stoppage in those watching in the US pand to other leagues.
Associated Press baseball history. and Canada. The company has been
The broadcasts on Apple MLB has been exploring pursuing streaming of NFL
CUPERTINO, Calif. (AP) — ball.” TV+ will include pregame selling a weeknight pack- games when the league’s
Apple will enter the live Apple and Major League and postgame shows and age of games with ESPN “Sunday Ticket” expires at
sports coverage arena Baseball announced Tues- will not be subject to local reducing its coverage of the end of the upcoming
with “Friday Night Base- day that Apple TV+ will car- broadcast blackout re- the regular season to 30 season.q