14 Female Characters In The Law & Order Universe Ranked By Strength

The police procedural "Law & Order" began as a single series in 1990 and has since spun a whole television universe of crossovers and related shows. The series follows detectives and prosecutors as they crack cases, apprehend suspects, and seek justice for victims. Although most original cast members were male, the popular franchise has become more inclusive. Female characters officially joined the main cast lineup in Season 4 of the mothership series, and women continued to occupy those positions in subsequent seasons.

Today, every series in the franchise has featured confident, capable female characters that lend their unique perspectives to both the "law" and "order" sides of the equation. But, of course, not every character is created equal. While some female "Law & Order" characters are excellent examples of their positions, some have flaws that keep them from being as dynamic as others. Nevertheless, these strong female characters symbolize the positive impact women can have in male-dominated fields like law enforcement.

Medical examiner Elizabeth Rodgers (Leslie Hendrix) may only be a supporting character, but she is one of the most recognizable faces in the "Law & Order" universe. Rodgers appears in four franchise series as a talented, straightforward professional that solves the mystery behind how victims die. Even when detectives push for quick autopsy results, she remains dedicated to her tried-and-true process and performs her job thoroughly. She is often first on the scene, greeting detectives with essential facts that get their investigations off to a solid start.

Despite being an essential part of the investigative process, Rodgers has limited personality development. Although she does display some emotion whenever she's on the witness stand, her composure rarely breaks. She excels at snappy comebacks and facetiousness and has an affinity for crime novels, but viewers learn little else about the medical examiner. Moreover, like many recurring characters, she falls victim to seeming one-dimensional in many of her onscreen appearances. The only exception is in "Criminal Intent," where her relationship with Captain Danny Ross (Eric Bogosian) borders on flirtatious. Nevertheless, Rodgers' ability to hold her own in the often male-dominated world of law enforcement is admirable.

Lieutenant Kate Dixon (Camryn Manheim) had big shoes to fill as the commanding officer of the 27th precinct, but she won points for likability. Dixon is an empathetic, even-keeled officer with a firm sense of justice. Although generally calm, Dixon quickly reprimands her detectives if they step out of line and never hesitates to speak her mind. In addition, she is sensitive to the plights of victims and their families and has a special knack for connecting with children. For example, one major highlight of her early tenure is the Season 22 episode, "Camoflague," where she uses American Sign Language to communicate with a deaf girl at the precinct (Manheim later spoke about the "vital" importance of deaf representation in the show).

However, Dixon needs to receive more screen time to be as strong as some of her law enforcement counterparts. Her character development has been relatively slow in the "Law & Order" reboot, and fans still have much to learn about the new commander. Her backstory details have barely trickled into the present-day storylines, so the root of her principles deserves more clarification. Nevertheless, she is a compassionate, righteous leader who can handle any case that comes across her desk.

At the beginning of Season 9, EADA Jack McCoy (Sam Waterston) welcomes one of the most headstrong ADAs of the series to the prosecutor's office. Abbie Carmichael (Angie Harmon) joins the team in the season premiere, "Cherished," with impressive credentials, including a near-perfect win record in her previous position. Her political views are far more conservative than the rest of the prosecutors, but being outnumbered doesn't stop her from voicing her opinions. After several effective but reserved ADAs, it's refreshing for many fans to see a more outspoken female attorney like Carmichael in the DA's office. She makes an excellent opponent for Jack McCoy, who is known for his stubborn dedication to his principles. 

Carmichael's one major downfall is her close-mindedness. She has firm beliefs about how prosecutors should handle cases and often struggles to consider opposing views. This habit can make her off-putting for some viewers, but some cases provide a suitable challenge to her preconceived notions about justice. For example, Season 9's "Punk" demonstrates that Carmichael can reassess her beliefs when needed. Carmichael reencounters a woman she previously prosecuted, but she sees her in a new light by the end of the episode.

The mothership series slowly adds stronger and stronger female ADAs to the lineup, but few have eclipsed Serena Southerlyn (Elisabeth Röhm). ADA Southerlyn is a dedicated advocate for victims, standing up for their best interests even when her counterparts don't agree. McCoy finally meets his match in Southerlyn, who never backs down from a fight with the much more experienced prosecutor. She can be overly idealistic sometimes, but it takes courage to be openly compassionate instead of solely focused on trial wins.

Southerlyn is also a memorable character because of her famous last words. In her final episode, Season 15's "Ain't No Love," she asks if the DA's office is firing her because of her sexual orientation. Since viewers learned less about Southerlyn's personal life than other characters, this revelation was a complete surprise. However, it is undoubtedly brave to proudly display her identity in her final moments. Although her orientation doesn't play a role in her tenure at the DA's office, the omission does make her the first (and only) openly lesbian member of the prosecutorial team.

Some characters, such as Sergeant Ayanna Bell (Danielle Moné Truitt), seem ideally suited for beating the odds. She is the fearless leader of the OCB in "Law & Order: Organized Crime," and she doesn't take her title lightly. Her team specializes in exciting take-downs, successfully dismantling organized crime operations of all kinds. Despite often being out-manned, the OCB is always well-maneuvered thanks to Bell's expert ability to play to her team's strengths. Her senior detective, Elliot Stabler (Christopher Meloni), often plays by his own rules, but Bell can reel him in when necessary.

Unfortunately, success does not come easily for Sergeant Bell. She works hard to build a solid team, but the long hours negatively impact other parts of her life. Behind the scenes, she makes numerous personal sacrifices to keep the OCB going. In Season 1, her marriage slowly crumbles, culminating with her wife's choice to move out of their shared home in the finale. In Season 3, Bell chooses her faith in the team over a cushy promotion but doesn't regret her decision for a moment. Her loyalty and dedication make her one of the best leaders in the franchise.

As the first female supervisor for the 27th precinct, Lieutenant Anita Van Buren is a ground-breaking character. She holds her position for 16 seasons, making her one of the longest-running characters in the mothership series. Van Buren is equally reliable behind a desk and in the field, using her instincts to get the truth out of suspects and wrangle her sometimes difficult detectives — even hotheaded Mike Logan (Chris Noth) and stubborn Rey Curtis (Benjamin Bratt) are no match for Van Buren's expert leadership. She excels under pressure, such as during hostage negotiations or active shooter situations. 

Van Buren is loved and respected by her fellow officers and builds a solid relationship with the DA's office. However, beneath her admirable professional exterior, Van Buren fights a difficult private battle in Season 20. After receiving a cervical cancer diagnosis, audiences watch her balance treatments with her demanding work schedule. She hides her diagnosis for most of the season, but the 27th precinct eventually gets wind of it and holds a fundraiser in her honor. Though she initially resists help, the fundraiser is a heartwarming scene that brings her character's storyline (and the mothership series finale) to a fitting close.

Captain Olivia Benson (Mariska Hargitay) is the dynamic powerhouse at the heart of "SVU." Over the years, she has also appeared in multiple crossovers for the "Law & Order" and "One Chicago" franchises. She begins the series as a detective but slowly climbs the ranks with her investigative skills and knack for connecting with victims. As an assault survivor herself, Benson empathizes with and advocates for others, turning her trauma into a steadfast determination to capture perpetrators.

Aside from her empathy, Benson's greatest strength is her resilience. No matter how harrowing the events or her professional or personal life become, she consistently performs at her best. Starting in Season 15, Benson adds "mother" to her list of titles when she becomes the court-appointed guardian of Noah Porter (Skyler Dubow). Many people would struggle to balance parenthood with the demands of being a police captain, but just like in her professional life, Benson repeatedly proves that she is up for the challenge.