10 Breakout TV Characters Who Went From Bit Parts To Series Regulars
3. Odafin “Fin” Tutola (Law And Order: SVU)
Ice-T, who stars as Odafin “Fin” Tutola, has been a Law and Order: Special Victims Unit staple—but he wasn’t meant to be. Since joining the sex crimes unit back in Season 2, Fin has gone from NYPD Junior Detective to Senior Detective to Sergeant, and Ice-T has gone from a bit guest role to series star.
Originally cast as a temporary replacement to Det. Monique Jeffries after actress Michelle Hurd left the show in 2000, fans fell so in love with Fin that Ice-T went from a four-episode arc to starring in almost 400 episodes of the 20-season crime drama.
In a special addition to the show’s Season 5 box set, "Police Sketch: Ice-T," Ice asked showrunner and Law and Order franchise creator Dick Wolf how the role should be performed. To which Wolf responded he should simply do exactly what Ice-T (the rapper) would do if he were a cop. Probably the best direction an actor has ever been given, to be honest.