'Law & Order: SVU' Season 16 Spoilers: Marcia Cross to Guest Star
A "Desperate Housewives" star is about to tangle with the "Law & Order: SVU" team this season.
Marcia Cross, who spent eight seasons as Bree Van De Kamp on "Desperate Housewives," will guest star opposite Robert Vaughn, Susi Essman, and Mercedes Ruehl in the February 25 episode of "Law & Order: SVU" titled "December Solstice."
The episode features a star-studded lineup of actors who have made their mark in the industry, as Vaughn was nominated for an Oscar in the 1960s for his work on "The Young Philadelphians." Essman is best known for her work in HBO's "Curb Your Enthusiasm," while Ruehl won an Oscar for her work on "The Fisher King."
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"We are lucky to have Robert Vaughn as a proud lion in late winter, and Marcia Cross as his sixth and most beautiful wife," in a statement, executive producer Warren Leight said. "They make a terrific SVU couple … with all that entails."
Cross will play Charmaine Briggs, the sixth wife of celebrated novelist Walter Briggs (Vaughn). In the episode, Walter's adult daughters accuse Charmaine of sexually abusing their father, and a legal battle ensues. This is the actress' first TV role since "Desperate Housewives" ended in 2012.
In other news, "Law & Order: SVU" will air an episode inspired by GamerGate. The show's Feb. 11 episode titled "The Intimidation Game" will explore the dangerous side and disadvantages of being a woman in the gaming industry.
According to TVGuide, the episode focuses on a woman who "launches a video game amid death threats in the male-dominated gaming community, but a crime scene unfurls at a big video game convention where one of her female employees is assaulted."
GamerGate rose to public attention last year. The movement claims to call for better ethics in gaming journalism, but in practice carries out gender-specific abuse.
"Law & Order: SVU" airs Wednesdays at 9 p.m. on NBC.
