The Law & Order Character You Are Based On Your Zodiac Sign
When it went off the air, "Law & Order" was poised to overtake "Gunsmoke" as the primetime scripted live-action television series with the most seasons (though not the most episodes). Instead, it was canceled after 20 seasons, and its spin-off, "Law & Order: Special Victims Unit," has earned that title at 23 seasons and counting.
Nicknamed the "Mothership," "Law & Order" ran from 1990 to 2010. Set in New York City and featuring stories ripped from the headlines, the show split its time between law –- the police procedural part -– and order –- the courtroom action. This simple premise made "Law & Order" very popular and spawned several spin-off series. Besides "Law & Order: Special Victims Unit," there's "Law & Order: Criminal Intent," "Law & Order: LA," "Law & Order: Trial By Jury," "Law & Order True Crime," and "Law & Order: Organized Crime."
Season 21 of "Law & Order" features several new characters and a few returnees, keeping with the series' penchant for changing cast members. Several colorful figures have been in the precincts and the courtrooms over the years, with their backstories and personalities playing more prominent roles over the seasons as the cast rotates out. We took a look at the characters' traits and at astrological profiles to see where they intersect. If you want to know which character you're most like, from passionate Aries to empathetic Pisces, here's the "Law & Order" character you are based on your zodiac sign.
Aries: Michael Cutter
According to astrology writer Aliza Kelly at Allure, Aries, the first sign in the zodiac, is "bold and ambitious" and loves "to be number one." An Aries will take on challenges with gusto and are often "passionate, motivated, and confident leader[s]." Aries is also a fire sign with quite a temper, though their outbursts tend to be short. Kelly also notes that Aries can be self-serving and will sometimes leap before they look.
If you're an Aries, your character is Executive Assistant District Attorney Michael Cutter (Linus Roache). Cutter's first episode was in the Season 18 premiere "Called Home," taking over for Jack McCoy, who had become the District Attorney. Cutter and McCoy are somewhat similar -– Cutter is driven, and he tends to cut corners in order to get convictions. His Aries passion and motivation influence his desire to win his cases to the point that a little bending of the legal letter of the law is not out of bounds. Cutter differs from McCoy in that while he wants to be number one, he's not necessarily power-hungry.
Cutter is attracted to Assistant District Attorney Connie Rubirosa (Alana de la Garza). He will also exploit others' personal information if it wins him a case, which causes issues with Rubirosa and Lt. Anita Van Buren (S. Epatha Merkerson). Rubirosa forgives him, but Van Buren is beyond peeved that he violates her trust. As an Aries, he leaps in and hopes for forgiveness instead of asking for permission.
Taurus: Rey Curtis
Taurus is represented in the zodiac by the bull and is popularly thought to be a stubborn cuss. According to Kelly in Allure, though, "Taureans enjoy relaxing in serene, bucolic environments." Think Ferdinand the bull sitting under his tree, enjoying the flowers rather than charging someone who accidentally walked into his meadow. Taureans are also "ambitious, focused, and resilient," as well as hard-working and dedicated. It's that dedication that leads others to find them obstinate, however.
If you're a Taurus, your character is Junior Detective Rey Curtis (Benjamin Bratt), who first showed up on "Law & Order" in the Season 6 episode "Bitter Fruit" as Senior Detective Lennie Briscoe's (Jerry Orbach) new partner. Like Executive Assistant District Attorney Benjamin Stone (Michael Moriarty), Curtis is a devout Catholic. He's also a wee bit stubborn. Curtis tends to see everything in black and white because of his strict morality, which causes some friction in his work with Briscoe. Curtis, however, is a generally calm person who infrequently loses his temper, though when he does as he did, in "Savages," he has a good reason, as the person he's interrogating is a suspected cop killer.
Curtis' Catholic worldview leads him to believe that because he cheated on his wife once, her being diagnosed with multiple sclerosis is God's retribution against him. Fortunately, his friendship with Briscoe helps soften his obstinacy in this view and in his work, and he eventually retires to care for his wife.
Gemini: Lennie Briscoe
Gemini is the third sign in the zodiac and is symbolized by twins. Geminis have a dual nature, a ton of interests and hobbies, and a lot of friends. According to Kelly in Allure, Geminis are not "two-faced." Rather, they "rarely [have] a hidden agenda." Geminis also are "quick-witted" and "intellectually curious." They "excel at clever wordplay," according to The Times of India, and their "intellect earns them the admiration of their co-workers." Though Geminis can seem flighty because of their various pursuits, they are loyal.
If you're a Gemini, your character is Detective Lennie Briscoe (Jerry Orbach), who first appears in Season 3's "Point of View." Briscoe is a recovering alcoholic with multiple marriages. He's Catholic but with a Jewish father, though he only goes to temple because of his first wife. As revealed in "Wager," Briscoe is also skilled at pool, one of his hobbies.
Briscoe is a smart cop who is well-respected by his partners and bosses –- although it takes a while for people to warm up to him because of his deadpan wit. If anyone on "Law & Order" excels at clever wordplay, it's Briscoe. Briscoe is a loyal colleague and friend who is hurt when he comes across former partners who've become corrupt, especially after he is falsely accused in "Corruption" of also being a dirty cop, which taints his reputation despite his innocence. Even so, he grows close to his partners, who all know his true nature.
Cancer: Connie Rubirosa
Cancers, sometimes referred to as Moon Children, tend to be "deep" versus superficial, according to Crystal B. Astrology. A person born under Cancer can be perceived as "moody" because their emotions run deep, but as Crystal B. notes, they are "perseverant and driven." Kelly in Allure notes that Cancers are "highly intuitive" and compassionate, but can also be passive-aggressive and tend toward self-protection. They also have "maternal energies."
Your character, if you're a Cancer, is Assistant District Attorney Connie Rubirosa (Alana de la Garza). Rubirosa first appears in Season 17's "Fame" working alongside Jack McCoy. She eventually works with Michael Cutter, who has a romantic interest in her. We never know if she reciprocates because she protects that part of herself with her Cancer shell.
Rubirosa is enormously compassionate, which can get her into trouble, as it does in "Dignity." Rubirosa reveals information to the medical board and the defense –- as she ethically should -– that Cutter wants held back long enough to get a conviction. Her maternal side comes out in "Charity Case," where a famous producer is murdered while holding his adopted son. Rubirosa discovers that his wife didn't really care about the child, treating him more as an accessory, and worse, when the originally adopted child died, she simply replaced him with a new one. Upon learning this, Rubirosa's maternal energy becomes righteous fury.
Leo: Joe Fontana
Leo, the lion, is one of the most colorful of the zodiac signs. Leos are a fire sign governed by the Sun, and, according to Kelly in Allure, they "love to bask in the spotlight and celebrate themselves." As Leos are a "fixed sign" — no retrograde here –- Kelly says they "are renowned for their stability, loyalty, and consistency." As kings and queens, though, they love being "theatrical" and wearing "decadent designer wear." Being fixed also gives them a stubborn edge, much like Taurus.
If you're a flashy-dressing Leo, your character is Detective Joe Fontana (Dennis Farina), who possibly has the most sartorial splendor of all the "Law & Order" detectives. In addition to the "decadent designer wear," Fontana drives an equally flashy car. This lively Leo loves flashing wads of cash as well.
Fontana first appears in "Paradigm" in Season 15. He's from Chicago's Little Italy, speaks fluent Italian, and becomes the new senior partner to Detective Ed Green (Jesse L. Martin) after Lennie Briscoe retires. It takes the two a while to gel, given Fontana's "look at me" demeanor, which also causes him to clash with the more subdued Lieutenant Van Buren. Fontana's stubborn streak comes out in "Ghosts" when we learn that he spent years pursuing a father of a murdered 12-year-old as his only suspect, only to find out she was killed by someone else. Fontana and Green eventually become a good working unit, with Fontana loyal to Green until Fontana retires.
Virgo: Adam Schiff
People born under the sign of Virgo are great communicators, "governed by Mercury, the messenger planet of communication," according to Kelly in Allure. They are the logicians of the zodiac, detail-oriented, "practical, and systematic," Kelly says. A Virgo is good at solving problems and is a good friend to have, given their supportive nature. The Times of India also points out, however, that their high mental energy leaves them "frequently stressed and tense."
If you're a Virgo, your character is District Attorney Adam Schiff (Steven Hill). Schiff is pragmatic and determined. He gets along great with Ben Stone and is supportive of him. Once Stone leaves, Schiff starts getting that "stressed and tense" feeling with Stone's successor, Assistant District Attorney Jack McCoy. McCoy's loosey-goosey approach to the law frequently makes Schiff, as a Virgo, noticeably grumpy.
Schiff's other Virgo aspects come in his ability to solve problems, his direction of his staff's work when they come up against complex cases, and his one-liners that usually end every episode he was on. In "Jeopardy," a judge continually throws out Schiff's team's best evidence, leading to the defendant's acquittal and attachment of double jeopardy. Schiff knows the judge and believes he is fair but soon realizes something's amiss. He authorizes arresting the judge, enabling his team to get around double jeopardy with the defendant. As usual, Schiff has something to say to McCoy about the successful plea deal, remarking, "You climbed Everest in your shorts on a very cold day."
Libra: Anita Van Buren
The air sign, Libra, is the most balanced of the signs, having "the rare ability to perceive all sides of an argument," according to The Times of India, and in keeping with their representation as the scales. That same perception, though, can lead to indecisiveness, according to Kelly at Allure. A Libra also prioritizes their family and close friends. This sign is known for striving "to create equilibrium," Kelly says, which can lead to some tension. The Times of India also notes that Libras are "extremely agreeable and honest people" who desire harmony and have "well-balanced personalities."
If you're a Libra, your "Law & Order" representative is Lieutenant Anita Van Buren (S. Epatha Merkerson). Van Buren is tough, dedicated to the law, and respected by her squad despite occasional clashes with splashier detectives such as Joe Fontana. Her first appearance is in Season 4's "Sweeps."
Van Buren sometimes has to play peacemaker with her detectives when cases get stressful and the detectives bicker. She wants a harmonious squad room. This doesn't mean Van Buren will let herself be pushed around, such as during Season 5 when she files a discrimination suit against the department for promoting a white woman instead of her. Van Buren also has her honor questioned in "Myth of Fingerprints," which is personally distressing for her Libra honesty, but it's that honesty that is proven in the end. That said, it does take her some time to regain her treasured Libra equilibrium, though.
Scorpio: Jack McCoy
Although Scorpios are incredibly passionate, they are not a fire sign, says Kelly in Allure. Rather, they are water signs, which makes them more emotional and sensitive. Kelly says that the Scorpios "lie in wait and strike when least expected," are calculating, and want to win. They are also "enigmatic," hiding parts of themselves and their plans, which draws people towards them. Who doesn't like to solve a mystery, after all? On the downside, they can also be "power-hungry" and controlling. Scorpios also have a lot of sexual energy.
Speaking of that last trait, the "Law & Order" character you are if you're a Scorpio is District Attorney Jack McCoy (Sam Waterston), who is known to get romantically involved with his colleagues. He's unconventional, emotional, and ruthless, traits that are clear from his first appearance in Season 5's "Second Opinion."
McCoy frequently comes into conflict with District Attorney Adam Schiff because of his penchant for skirting -– or flat out breaking -– the law to see justice served. When he was younger, McCoy was a rebel, which informs his prosecution style. He uses the law as a weapon, setting traps for the people he prosecutes, then striking hard. His desire to win takes no prisoners. In "House Counsel," he winds up prosecuting one of his own friends. While McCoy starts as an executive assistant district attorney, his drive for power leads him to run for district attorney. Of course, this Scorpio wins.
Sagittarius: Paul Robinette
The adaptable, flexible Sagittarius, represented by a centaur archer, is the most unique sign of the zodiac, according to Kelly in Allure. Sagittarians are known for their endless pursuit of knowledge and often have personalities that are both dynamic and curious. They can also be blunt, so don't ask for their opinion if you don't want to know what they really think! The Times of India notes that Sagittarians are empathetic, intelligent, and adventurous, often rebelling against authority because of their strong independent streak.
The "Law & Order" character you are if you're a Sagittarius is Assistant District Attorney Paul Robinette (Richard Brooks). He's idealistic and independent, which results in clashes with District Attorney Adam Schiff. He also harbors inner conflict -– as a Black prosecutor, he is working in the system that has historically oppressed the Black community. He appears in the very first episode of the series, "Prescription for Death."
Robinette is smart and empathetic. His views on race and racism change throughout his time in the District Attorney's office, which, along with his inner conflict, is the impetus for his decision to leave his job as a prosecutor and become a defense attorney. The A.V. Club notes that Robinette, who was quieter in the beginning, becomes more outspoken. His Sagittarian bluntness is let loose once he completely rebels against the authority he once worked under.
Capricorn: Ed Green
Capricorn is an earth sign, meaning they are more "grounded." Allure's Kelly says Capricorns are resilient and ambitious, but can also party when the spirit hits, a trait not everyone gets to see. They come across as conservative, but inside is a "mischievous troublemaker," Kelly notes. Capricorns can overcome obstacles, but conversely, as The Times of India says, they can be hampered by "actual or perceived barriers to achievement." These sea goats are anchored, but sometimes being too grounded means they "ignore the positive aspects of life," resulting in a "deep sadness."
If you're a Capricorn, your character is Detective Ed Green (Jesse L. Martin). Green becomes partners with Lennie Briscoe after Rey Curtis retires. Green has a maverick streak and uses unorthodox methods to achieve arrests, but learns from Briscoe to be a better, more ethical detective. His first appearance is in Season 10's "Gunshow."
The Capricorn in Green means he comes across as more conservative in his life, but he does get into mischief, as he likes to gamble. Green is also a vegetarian, as noted in the episode "Slaughter," which involves tainted meat. However, that streak of partying in Atlantic City and discarding the rules as it suits him results in him making trouble for himself. In Season 18's "Burn Card," Green gets investigated by Internal Affairs because a shooting he's involved in reveals his gambling past. Although Green is cleared, he quits the force.
Aquarius: Claire Kincaid
Aquarius, despite having the water bearer as its symbol, is an air sign. As such, Aquarians "lack a distinct form" — some are "enthusiastic and active," while others are "calm and sensitive," according to The Times of India. People born under Aquarius are optimistic, idealistic, egalitarian, and outspoken. Allure's Kelly says that because Aquarius is a fixed sign, Aquarians can be stubborn, like a Taurus, though Aquarian "obstinacy stems from strong, righteous conviction" and dissipates when they can "enact change." Aquarians also don't like being controlled by the power-hungry.
If you're an Aquarius, your character is Assistant District Attorney Claire Kincaid (Jill Hennessy). Kincaid is fair-minded and optimistic, and she is not afraid to speak up. She first appears the Season 4 episode "Sweeps" as the new assistant district attorney after Paul Robinette leaves and works with Executive Assistant District Attorney Ben Stone, who mentors her as she navigates her way through her new job.
Kincaid began working for Jack McCoy after Stone's departure. Her penchant for "righteous conviction" means she and McCoy frequently butt heads over legal strategy. Astrologically speaking, Aquarian Kincaid's affair with the power-minded Scorpio McCoy was always doomed to fail. She's also had affairs with other colleagues. Kincaid often tries to effect change in the laws she disagrees with through how she wants to prosecute –- or not prosecute -–a case. Unfortunately, her chance to enact that change ends when a drunk driver hits her car in "Aftershock" and Claire is killed.
Pisces: Cyrus Lupo
The final sign of the zodiac is Pisces, represented by a pair of fish. The Times of India says that people born under the sign of Pisces are compassionate, sympathetic to others, and "devoted to their families." Pisceans are also creative and adaptable, seek knowledge, and work well with others.
If you're a Pisces, the "Law & Order" character you are is Detective Cyrus Lupo (Jeremy Sisto). Lupo, like Lennie Briscoe, is a recovering alcoholic and possibly Catholic (he knows a lot about the Bible, at any rate). His first appearance is in Season 18's "Called Home." Lupo has the Pisces devotion to family as he investigates the death of his brother in "Called Home" despite Lieutenant Van Buren wanting him off the case. Lupo speaks Spanish and Chinese, can read Japanese, and takes law classes at night, which shows his Pisces love of knowledge.
Lupo is also adaptable and works well with different partners. He works with Ed Green at first, and when Green retires, Lupo pairs up with Detective Kevin Bernard (Anthony Anderson). With Green, Lupo indulges in some rule-breaking, as seen in the episode "Misbegotten," but adapts to working with Bernard, whose personality is more opposite to his — for instance, Bernard hates dogs, but Lupo would like to get one.