April 1, 2008 -- HERE'S your first look at Anthony Anderson, the newest addition to "Law & Order."

Anderson, who starred on Fox's "K-Ville" last season, joins the cast as Det. Kevin Bernard.

"He's a former IAB [internal affairs] officer who didn't sign up for that job - they recruited him right out of the academy and told him he could become a homicide detective in two years," Anderson told The Post.

"It's what he really wants to do," Anderson said. "Bernard feels he can really make a difference as a homicide detective."

Bernard is replacing Det. Ed Green (Jesse L. Martin), who's leaving the show. Bernard's first appearance on "L&O" will overlap with Green's final appearance, scheduled to air April 23 on NBC. Bernard will be paired with Det. Cyrus Lupo (Jeremy Sisto), who's also new to the "L&O" family.

"He's not a hard-ass," Anderson says of Bernard.

"He's a fair guy trying to find his way in a new station house - and trying to get away from the stench of the 'rat squad' of internal affairs."

Anderson, 37, is no stranger to TV and movie fans. In addition to "K-Ville," he starred on The WB's "All About The Andersons," which was loosely based on his life.

He also gave a riveting performance in a guest-starring role in "The Shield" opposite Michael Chiklis and Glenn Close. Anderson's big-screen resume includes roles in "Scary Movie 3," "Barbershop" and "Kangaroo Jack."

http://www.nypost.com/seven/04012008/tv/new_order_104449.htm

i only started watching when jeremy sisto joined the cast, but jesse martin had grown on me. now he is leaving. and they replace him with anthony anderson? i guess they couldn't find anybody else....:rolleyes:

I say just take the show out of its misery - I've been watching some of the episodes on DVD from the early Jerry Orbach/Chris Noth/Michael Moriarty era which are eons better than the ones on now. The show is a sad shell of what it used to be.

Jesse has been the only reason I have been watching L&O in recent years! And just when they finally give Green a partner with whom he really had some chemistry....:(

Wonder if he is leaving to do that Marvin Gaye movie I read about somewhere--if so, maybe I can forgive him, since is would be completely perfect in the role. They did give him time off to make the movie version of "Rent", so he probably couldn't do such a thing again.