Elliot Stabler better watch his back. Because “Law & Order: Organized Crime” star Dylan McDermott announced he’s getting back to work. McDermott, of course, plays the villainous Richard Wheatley on the spin-off of the long-running franchise.
Across Season One, Wheatley was a constant thorn in Stabler’s (played by Christopher Meloni) side. The two played a game of cat and mouse across the season. The grizzled detective suspected Wheatley of being involved in his wife’s murder. Fortunately for fans if not Stabler, McDermott’s character survived the first season. So he will be coming back for season two.
McDermott is preparing to return for a second outing. On Twitter, he shared an intense selfie with fans. The actor captioned the photo with “Vacation is officially over…”
In an interview with TV Line in April, Dylan McDermott broke down his character Richard Wheatley. McDermott believes every hero needs a formidable villain. And Stabler found his in the conniving criminal Wheatley. The duo are two halves of the same coin and become obsessed with taking each other down.
‘Law & Order: Organized Crime’ Star On His Character
“Stabler definitely needs a foe, a formidable foe. Otherwise, the show wouldn’t work. Because that kind of conflict, that standoff is so necessary on a show like this. So, you have to have somebody who can take him on, and I think that Richard can take on Stabler. In fact, he looks forward to it. That’s what turns him on. You know what I mean? He’s one of these criminals that like to leave a note to let you know he was there. There’s something about it that turns him on, the getting away with it. I think he looks forward to this challenge, you know?” McDermott said.
As for McDermott himself, well the actor also draws from his background for the role. For instance, growing up in New York City he became aware of the history of crime around him.
“I love the crime world,” McDermott said. “I grew up in New York, and I was seeing the mafia around town, watching them. And I remember going with my dad to Umberto’s Clam House, where Joey Gallo got killed in Little Italy. I remember when Paul Castellano got killed in front of Sparks Steakhouse.”
Dylan McDermott Explains Why He Loves Playing A Bad Guy
For McDermott, he also enjoys the role because it allows him to flex himself as an actor. Wheatley inhabits a lot of different areas.
“I love the diversity of the show, I love that Richard has a diverse family. I love that this guy is a mastermind in terms of being a criminal,” McDermott said. “And that his father was part of the mafia, the old mafia. I love that he changed his name, that he came up with this new identity. That he’s like an octopus, you know? I always try to find an animal when I decide on a character. What animal is he?”
