Elizabeth Rohm’s departure from Law & Order
January 13, 2005 
…and tonight’s Law & Order leaves us wondering what happened in Elizabeth Rohm’s last episode on the series after starring for four years as A.D.A. Serena Southerlyn.
If you don’t want to know what happened, then stop reading now. For those loyal L&O fans who saw tonight’s episode, let’s discuss…
What the heck happened? They use Elizabeth Rohm’s last few minutes on the show (which, in itself, was a good plot) to introduce a piece of information that will go nowhere on the show. She’s a lesbian? Uhhh… okay.
At first I thought maybe I missed the episode during the last four years where they discuss her lesbianism. But then I realized, nope, that wasn’t what happened. No, actually it was never brought up — or even hinted at — at all! So why have Southerlyn suddenly reveal this part of her character?
Sure, asking if she was being fired because she was gay made sense — she would want to know if that led to the decision to her. But firing her made no sense in the context of the show. And the explanation for it was pretty weak — she’s more like an advocate-type lawyer, so she doesn’t fit in? Come on.
Dick Wolf would have been better off killing Southerlyn in her last episode in some sort of shooting in the courtroom gun battle.
Rohm appeared on The Jimmy Kimmel Show” last night, saying she decided to leave the show to grow her career — possibly into a steady movie career. Good for her. She obviously wasn’t going to be able to grow on Law & Order — it’s obvious the writers had just about given up on her.
I’m very disappointed. First the late Jerry Orbach leaves — and now this.
RELATED: I guess Nicole Blake and the 981 undersigned people got what they wanted. Bet they didn’t expect it to end this way!
MORE: Other blogger’s quotes — Peter Meddick: “Not worth staying awake to watch. Lesson learned.” // Center Square: “Is there any way in which [D.A. Arthur Branch] is not telling her to go be a gay activist?” // Danny Donovan: “It just smacked of ‘hell I don’t know how to make this interesting, oh yeah she’s gay!’” // Trenchcoat Chronicles: “The writing on L&O has been noticeably down this season and this is just a prime example. I wouldn’t say they’ve jumped the shark but they’re definitely trying on their water skis.”
January 16th, 2005 at 1:30 AM
The final Elizabeth Rohm episode was long overdue, but Dick Wolf did not need to exacerbate the red/blue division with the lesbian admission.
Rohm needed to go because her character was unsuited for a prosecutor’s office, and her ability to follow in Angie Harmon’s wake was doomed from the start. She was a lousy ADA, and the show should have stuck to the script that she was fired because she was a lousy attorney.
January 16th, 2005 at 10:15 AM
Rohm was probably too subtle and actor for the petitioners who successfully got her off the show. She was a strong, understated presence on Angel and better on L&O despite a very limiting role. Let’s hope someone recognizes the potential here.
January 19th, 2005 at 9:24 PM
After the episode when she almost got disbarred, firing her for being a poor attorney would’ve been a little more plausible. This “deus ex machina” lesbian crap doesn’t cut law & order mustard. where did the good writers go? they certainly didn’t go to svu or ci. but that’s another complaint. svu is horrible this season..sappy pap.
however, i don’t think elizabeth rohm could’ve acted like a “bad” attorney if directed to. maybe they were just working with what they had…a talking face.
Dick Wolf must’ve missed the part of her resume that referenced “Angel.”
January 20th, 2005 at 2:06 PM
I had the privilege to have worked with Ms. Rohm on two episodes of Angel and one of the Jennifer Love Hewitt Show. I found her to be the utmost professional in her preparation and deliverance of her character’s roles. It seems to me that Law & Order was rather annoyed that she wished to leave their kingdom to pursue other creative outlets for her career. If her “Serena” came across as bland, that’s the writing/directing. She is a solid performer, and I’m sorry to see her go. I guess it was time to change the haircolor back to brunette. In my humble opinion, L&O has run its course. They’d better improve the writing or fold it up.
January 22nd, 2005 at 3:57 AM
Wow, April. Thanks for leaving a comment. Nice to hear from someone who has actually worked with Elizabeth Rohm in this discussion.
Just wondering in what capacity you came to work with her, though. As a fellow actress, as legal counsel, or what?
Oh, and there was a Jennifer Love Hewitt Show? Say what?!?! I would have so watched that (if I knew it ever existed)!
January 25th, 2005 at 1:03 AM
Iwas mesmerized by her look, just perfect.
January 25th, 2005 at 1:48 AM
It is an absolute shame that they got rid of Elizabeth Rohm. She is a beautiful German woman with great potential. She was one of my three favorites on Law and Order, (Rohm, Orbach and Hargitay) two of which are now gone. Don’t get rid of Mariska!
January 26th, 2005 at 10:45 PM
I WILL MISS ELIZABETH ROHM ON LAW & ORDER.
I FELT SHE WAS THE BEST ADA TO DATE. SMART,
GOOD LOOKING BUT NOT A PRINCESS. WILLING TO
TAKE ON A FIGHT. STRONG FEMALE PRESENCE WITHOUT A SUPER FEMENIST AIR. SERNA ALSO
WAS THE FIRST ADA TO WORK WITH SAM AS A
CO-WORKER AND NOT WOMAN LOOKING TO MAKE A
MOVE ON THE BOSS.
January 27th, 2005 at 11:49 AM
I liked Elizabeth Rohm in the part. She could have had better direction, better lines and better scripts but I liked her. What does this ending do to her personally? Is she a lesbian? It’s nobody’s business but hers but they have left her bransded as one whether she is or not. I’m disappointed in L&O this year. Too many shows on the go, I guess.
February 10th, 2005 at 9:36 PM
I thought Elizabeth Rohm made a fine D.A. Far more plausible than Angie Harmon. Dick Wolf is looking for another Claire Kincaid for Jack. It’ll never happen.
March 5th, 2005 at 8:23 PM
Elizabeth Rohm was very good on Law & Order. A loss to the program.
Why did she get fired?
March 7th, 2005 at 8:10 PM
It’s time Law and Order got some better cast members, like it had in the ’90s. Sam Waterston has outlived his usefulness and has always been too strident. I know he’s supposed to be popular, but he can’t compare to Michael Moriarty, even after ten years. I’d write Waterston out of the show before I would fire Elizabeth Rohm. She’s just as good as the previous ADA, Angie Harmon. Please, please, please! Bring back the actors who first made the show great in the 90’s, especially, Michael Moriarty, Carey Lowell, Chris Noth, and Paul Sorvino. Steven Hill and Jerry Orbach are both gone but their replacements are a disappointment too. I’m sure a great majority of Law & Order agree with me.
March 14th, 2005 at 10:06 AM
I WAS NOT FOND OF THE CHARACTER ELIZABETH RHOM PLAYED. SHE MAY BE BETTER IN SOMETHING ELSE. HOWEVER I THINK L&O. HAVE TOO MANY SHOWS GOING AND ONE OF THE FOUR SHOWS CAN DRAG THEM DOWN. CRIMINAL INTENT IS TERRIBLE, ACTORS ARE NOT NEAR AS GOOD AS THE ORIGINAL L&O. MAYBE THEY SHOULD PUT ONE OF THOSE SHOWS OUT TO PASTURE AND CONCENTRATE ON WHAT’S LEFT.SURE BEATS WATCHING REALITY SHOWS, THEY STINK!
March 14th, 2005 at 9:05 PM
I agree that the original L&Os were better than the currant and spin off L&Os. I agree that Waterston’s character is strident, but I thought Elizabeth Rohm’s character was created to contrast that as Jack sees black and white, Serena sees the gray and the emotion. Jack is objective, Serena is a bleeding-heart. I thought that was her only purpose. I can’t stand L&O CI. Vincent D. always knows the most obscure facts, while the blond counterpart is simply a yes-man. “Really, Vince, amzing, tell me more!” And while I sympathize with the cops on SVU, and with the sickening emotion that must overwhelm them, I would hate to work with them as a lawyer. Their emotion, especially Chris M beating up all of the suspects, would ruin all of my cases. And the DAs like Alex Cabot always have to counter-act the emotion, explaining, as a narrator might explain to a simple child, why they need more evidence for a warrent or why a confession won’t hold up in court. I hope L&O has not run its course, because, yes, reality shows stink.
April 13th, 2005 at 5:28 PM
I liked Rohm’s character better than her predecessor, Harmon. Harmon’s character was sometimes too emotional. Usually, people who keep their emotions in check, make better lawyers. The producers probably stuck in the lesbian idea so they can maybe bring her back in the future where she sues the city for unlawful termination. I especially do not like SVU because the detectives are not objective. They’re way too emotional, I wonder how they keep themselves from committing suicide. Criminal Intent horrible like the CSI series because the lead detective knows way too much information. Come on, nobody knows that much crap except for Ken Jennings… =b
April 20th, 2005 at 9:43 PM
I’m sorry to see “Serena” go as well — she was a nice change from the line of former Jack sidekicks. Re: the lesbian factor — they actually did hint at this in an earlier episode prior to Rohm’s last episode. Remember the episode where in order to have a gay witness testified against his married lover, Jack took on the whole gay marriage issue in NY, and got the appeals court to nullify all of the gay marriages performed and thus do away with the marital privilege? Rohm’s character was really outspoken in her disagreement with Jack’s methods in that episode and they pretty much threw out there the thought that Serena was gay. It was kind of lame the way they did it (and obvious after her final episode that they were trying to set this up).
April 25th, 2005 at 6:20 AM
Elizabeth Rohm is a multi-levelled, subtle actor who was a welcome presence on L&O. Now that she and Jerry Orbach are gone, I have little interest in continuing to watch the programme. Re: the lesbian factor - I am glad that an attractive, sophisticated character was chosen to repressent the female side of the gay community rather than the stereotype of the angry lesbian with a bad haircut. The fact that they fired her is another story altogether. I have enjoyed Elizabeth’s work on L&O and Angel and will continue to follow her career with interest.
April 25th, 2005 at 8:00 AM
I love Ms Rohm madly.In protest to her exit from Law and Order I willnolonger watch the show.Its not that I love Law and Order less rather I love Elizabeth Rohm more.
April 25th, 2005 at 11:44 AM
I love Ms Rohm madly.I use to watch Law and Order every time it came on.But since Ms Rohm is no longer with the show I am no longer a viewer of Law and Order.Its not that I love Law and order less but I love Elizabeth Rohm more.
Emphatically,
Rufus A Wilson
April 26th, 2005 at 8:46 PM
…. i miss serena.. i love serena.. sooo good on the show.. not only in being insanely hot.. but also in being hilarious.. the new girl isnt bad but doesnt live up.. fontana doesnt really live up to brisko either.. but they grow on you.. i cant say i will stop watching LnO cuz im addicted to it and most of the branches of the show but i still shed a tear everytime i turn it on and rhom is gone
April 26th, 2005 at 8:47 PM
i would definatley dump my girlfriend for rhom haha
April 27th, 2005 at 12:47 PM
rhom isn’t that great i dont think dumping your girlfriend for her is a good idea….definatly not a very good looking women…i am happy she is off the show
April 27th, 2005 at 7:27 PM
well you see happy.. my girlfriend isnt much of a looker herself..shes actually repulsive to look at.. and rhom well shes angelic.. IIH.. :P..
May 3rd, 2005 at 2:13 PM
Wow!….What a disappointment to learn my favorite TV personality is leaving L & O. How dull it will be without that beautiful blond gracing my screen when I tune in to watch the show. I download her schedule each month to make sure I don’t miss her. The producers of L & O must have lost their minds to let this enchanting, lovely, and talented gal leave the show. Elizabeth…..You are the best and I will surely miss you until you surface on another show which I am sure you will…..Good luck to you!
May 15th, 2005 at 7:19 PM
While I am not sorry to see her go, I think that is MOSTLY because the character was essentially bland. None of the fierceness of Carmichael, none of the jokes of Jamie Ross, none of the little flirts of Kincaed… the writers gave her NOTHING to work with. I am only glad she is leaving because I want to see them actually introudce a CHARACTER into the mix…
Aside from this gripe, I LOVE LAW AND ORDER and will never stop watching it, EVER EVER EVER
June 23rd, 2005 at 11:28 PM
I am still baffled by why this stunning and quietly strong young woman was tossed off the show. Finally I spent the last half hour reading about it.
And now I’m baffled by those who think she wasn’t acting on the show — I saw subtlety as an actress and a welcome composure in a character not quite ready for a run in the sack with the scotch swilling and, yes, often strident but most importantly much older and skinnnny Jack McCoy. (Sam Waterston, no offense please…)
Also, Ms. Rohm was a great relief from the chore of looking past Carmichael’s never ending supply of skin tight sweaters and now, after satisfying my curiosity today about her departure, I hope she enjoys a fine career from now on.
I mourn Mr. Orbach’s passing and welcome Mr. Farina because he always makes me laugh.
January 1st, 2006 at 1:17 PM
I thought Elizabeth Rohm was excellent on L&) — it is Sam Waterson they need to get rid of. I never liked Angie Harmon, she was too, too opinionated and way too mannish. My favorite was Clare, and I miss her, but don’t like what she looks like now on Crossing Jordan.
I liked Chris Noth and am glad to see him on L&O CI, which is a GREAT show, too. I like the teaming of Jesse Martin and Dennis Farina, although I do miss Jerry Orbach.
The worst mistake Dick Wolf made was putting Diane Wiest in the show. She may be considered a “great” actress in other genres, but she was a lousy, mealy-mouthed, whiny DA in L&O. I’m glad they replaced her with Fred Thompson.
January 4th, 2006 at 3:28 PM
What we have here is Dick Wolf who wields a PR machine that makes him look good and disguises the fact that he doesn’t know a heck of a lot about prosecuting felonies. In prosecuting hundreds of them, I never heard of this “second chair” business. I remember, when I was a Chief lawyer, letting one of my deputies get some experience on a death penalty case and assist in the prosecution. In another case, I sat next to a deputy DA because he was undergoing an emotional breakdown. Ms Rohn played her role perfectly. Women, who go into prosecutions, are often cold, distant, and aloof. Many have the same type of on the job personalities as female cops. Ms Rohm is a lovely woman. I just thought Wolf put her there to show some “tush.” But firing her because, as articles suggest, she is a lesbian in her private life-Hey, where did all of Wolfe’s liberal friends go? Does gelt make things okay? I think it reveals Wolf as a ruthless chauvinist. I thought Ms Harmon was a hectoring, pedantic,flawed actress and Ms Lowell was worse. I think I will miss Elizabeth, probably one of the rare redeeming beauties on the vast wasteland.Besides, with the extremely talented Jerry Orbach gone, there’s not much more of this show left. Predict it to tank within two years.
January 14th, 2006 at 11:25 PM
Actually only started watching L&O re-runs this past year. It is dissapointing when Rohm is not in the cast. Her performances are always enjoyable and I seldom if ever catch her acting. To me that is the mark of a good actor, not to be caught acting. She does more with her eyes and her look than words could ever match. I wish her well and a great career.
March 20th, 2006 at 8:01 PM
serena is by far the best of the ada’s I am always dissapointed when she isn’t there and Elisabeth is nothing short of a goddess!!! I miss her!
June 1st, 2006 at 8:10 AM
I loved the character of Serena.
I think the lesbian comment was inroduced as something they may go back to.
Many regular of Law and Order re-appear as advocates in future episodes.
I wouldn’t be shocked if Serena doesn’t make her next apperance as a Gay & Lesbian advocate defending a homosexual defendent. I like her a lot. Her biggest sin is that she is so beautiful that she tends to dominate the scene by her sheer beauty. I have to admit ther were times during her time on the show that I lost track of the scene because I caught myself just looking at her. It isn’t a terrible problem but she can be distracting and sometimes any nuance in her character gets deflected by it. Grace Kelley had the same problem. Grace Kelley was a pretty good actress but lets be honest, she was famous for being stunning to look at. I know it is unfair, but when you lok like her it is hard to see past her looks.
She is simply one of the most beautiful women that has ever been on television and I think it actually hurt her. L&O is a plot driven show, where the characters tend to be molded into the scenery. She couldn’t get molded in. Claire was the ideal ADA to Jack’s lead prosecutor.
July 2nd, 2006 at 1:18 PM
Folks, your all reading too much into it. Simply put, albeit beautiful, she can’t act, period.
August 9th, 2006 at 1:46 PM
i agree the way they fired her was the dumbest thing ever!!! just so all of u know, they did kind of hint at her lesbianism. everytime there was a gay case and someone insulted the gay deffendant, she would flip out and try to deffend them. she was always like,”why? is it because their gay?!!!” she was the best thing that ever happened to that show besides jerry orbach.
August 11th, 2006 at 3:30 PM
I am saddened by the fact that Elizabeth Rohm is no longer in Law & Order. She’s a wonderful actress;articulate and beautiful. I heard somewhere that there was a petition filed to oust her from the show because she supposedly lacks acting skills. Are these “filers” members of the Academy of Arts & Sciences? Who says she can’t act? I watched the show and I was never disappointed with her thespian skills.Besides, there are too many spinoffs of the show. It’s starting to burn itself out.
September 30th, 2006 at 4:09 PM
Just watched the episode called “Sheltered” Odd scene when they’re in the courtroom and she’s sitting down…she only has 1 shoe on. Her shoe is on the floor next to her and she’s cross legged with an exposed foot!!
Thought it was odd that it was not re-shot; I highly doubt it was written into the script! Wondering if anyone else noticed
October 17th, 2006 at 9:46 PM
Though I still enjoy the show and continue to watch the shows in syndication, in fact I am watching one episode currently on TNT which has Lis. When she was fired I was disheartened to learn how much certain fans disliked her acting. I found her to be very credible and a wonderful actor. Mr. Wolfe you totally blew this one and let the perfect ADA to complement Waterston’s role as Jerry Orbach did with his partners. She will always remain my favorite ADA on Law and Order.
October 19th, 2006 at 8:17 PM
I can’t believe some people did not like Lis. How can you not. She is absolutely drop dead gorgeous!! She played her character the same way for 4 years. I wouldn’t know her by another character.
December 27th, 2006 at 10:08 PM
My name is Robert M. Blevins, and I’ve written a few screenplays and books here and there.
My opinion on the final script of the show in which Elizabeth’s character was revealed as a lesbian…well, nothing more than a slap to her after four years of hard work on the show.
Conclusion: They should have fired the WRITERS instead…