Be Ready WHEN LUCK HAPPENS

The Law & Order: Organized Crime star shares his long journey

- DEAN NORRIS

When the call went out for an actor to join Law & Order: Organized Crime as Elliot Stabler's older brother, Dean Norris was happy to raise his hand. “Chris Meloni and I have a bit of history. We did an independent movie about 10 years ago and just hit it off really well,” Dean, 62, tells Closer. “It seemed like a great way to work with Chris again.” The popular police drama is currently airing its fifth season on Peacock. “This season is very cinematic,” Dean says. “There's a great storyline between my character, Randall, Elliot and our third brother, Joe. The Stabler brothers get to know each other — for better and for worse. There's also a lot of drama with our mom, played by Ellen Burstyn, in terms of her mental capacities as she's getting older.”

You earned a diploma from the Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts. Did you ever have a plan B in case your acting career didn't work out?

Scarily enough, I didn't! Maybe I got lucky. I was only in L.A. less than six months when I got Lethal Weapon 2, which allowed me to not be a waiter anymore.

Dean plays Randall Stabler on Law & Order: Organized Crime, which airs on Peacock.

Of course, people still remember you from playing Hank on Breaking Bad.

That's one that will always have a very special place in my heart. Hank was a character that I just adored and I got to participate in some really legendary episodes and scenes. The writing was spectacular.

Even though it's been 12 years, it seems there is always a new generation discovering the show.

It feels so great. We're actually more popular since COVID because so many people who hadn't watched it, binged it.