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Law & Order: Organized Crime Could Bring Back Major Villain After Show Cancellation

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In the first two seasons of “Law & Order: Organized Crime,” Richard Wheatley, portrayed by Dylan McDermott, was the primary adversary for Elliot Stabler, played by Christopher Meloni. Moreover, Wheatley became a leading suspect in the murder of Stabler’s wife, Kathy. With McDermott rejoining “Law & Order: Organized Crime” during season 2, Stabler’s pursuit intensified as he sought to dismantle Wheatley’s criminal organization. This long-running conflict culminated in the (presumed) demise of Wheatley’s character in episode 14 of season 2.

Despite Wheatley seemingly perishing alongside Angela, Stabler was far from convinced that his arch-enemy had truly met his end, as no body was found by the police. With Dylan McDermott’s series, FBI: Most Wanted , being cancelled in March, there is now a chance for Law & Order: Organized Crime to reintroduce its villain for another stint on screen, potentially reigniting an intriguing old conflict within the show.

Dylan McDermott Can Reprise His Law & Order: Organized Crime Role Now That FBI: Most Wanted Is Finished

McDermott Can Now Easily Step Back Into The Role And Quickly

In the ongoing conflict between Richard Wheatley and Elliot Stabler, Dylan McDermott chose to accept an FBI role instead of Law & Order. This decision allowed viewers to witness a fresh aspect of him, having previously portrayed a crime lord for nearly two seasons. Consequently, as Organized Crime season 2 reached its midpoint, Richard Wheatley’s character was dramatically written off the show. This development provided an opportunity for new storylines within the series and granted McDermott the freedom to pursue his next role.

McDermot, known for his chilling performance as Wheatley, moved onto portraying Remy Scott in FBI: Most Wanted for four seasons, showcasing a side of him rarely seen before, reminiscent of his role as Bobby Donnell on The Practice. With the conclusion of FBI: Most Wanted, McDermott can now revisit the character who challenged Stabler intensely during their pursuit to find his wife’s killer.

Wheatley’s Storyline On Law & Order: Organized Crime Left The Door Open For A Potential Return

Stabler Doesn’t Believe Wheatley Is Dead, And Neither Do We

Midway through season 2 of Law & Order: Organized Crime, Angela Wheatley made a tragic choice: she steered her car off a cliff with Richard following the revelation that he had killed their son, Richie, earlier in the night. Although the authorities found Angela’s body, they did not locate Richard’s, causing Stabler to suspect that his longtime adversary had escaped yet another time.

Given no solid evidence of his demise, Stabler finds himself on guard, believing that Wheatley remains a danger, lurking in the shadows, biding his time for another opportunity to strike against Stabler. The ongoing turmoil from the Camorra/Los Santos war in New York has created an ideal situation for Organized Crime to resurrect their old nemesis in season 5, with Wheatley potentially causing chaos once more.

Law & Order: Organized Crime Can Benefit From The Return Of Wheatley

Stabler’s Main Villain Can Bring An Exciting New Old Story Back To Life

Law & Order: Organized Crime” deviates from the standard procedural structure of its related shows, enabling it to weave captivating, prolonged narrative threads throughout the series. Initially, Richard Wheatley served as the primary adversary for the first two seasons, and his complex relationship with Stabler significantly contributed to the show’s early success. Their back-and-forth interactions, while a familiar trope, proved engaging.

Moving to Peacock in its fifth season, “Law & Order: Organized Crime” has been able to delve deeper into more cinematic narratives than it could on traditional broadcast. Re-introducing Wheatley to this fresh format provides an opportunity for Dylan McDermott to portray a significantly darker character, adding depth to the series and allowing Stabler to finally bring him to justice. Given that this is the final season of “Law & Order: Organized Crime,” wrapping up their story in a satisfying manner would make for a fitting conclusion to the show.

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2025-05-24 15:18

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