The latest episode of NBC's Law & Order: Special Victims Unit has gained increasing attention due to the number of iconic celebrities set to appear when it premieres on February 25, 2015. A released by TV Guide, Marcia Cross will be the latest high-profile actress to join the episode.
Cross will be playing the role of Charmaine Briggs, the wife of Walter Briggs, portrayed by Robert Vaughn. Walter is a widely renowned novelist with adult children, while Charmaine is identified as his sixth wife.
Due to their age gap, the two are experiencing difficulties in their relationship. The synopsis described that the episode will be exploring the difficulties entailed in dealing with the dynamic forces governing and controlling a family with not only a younger wife and an older husband but also to the effects of this union to the adult children.
However, the family drama goes full blown when one of the stepdaughters of Charmaine accuses the character of the Desperate Housewives star of sexually abusing Walter. Notably, Vaughn's character here is suffering from poor health conditions, which possibly rendered him helpless from the alleged abuses. The lawsuits and legal battles between the children and Charmaine ensued following the accusations. These abruptly ended when a tragedy in the family occurred.
Prior to landing this crime drama part, the 52-year-old actress appeared in other investigative television series such as "CSI: Crime Scene Investigation." Cross' highly popular role in "Desperate Housewives" as Bree Van de Kamp earned the actress commendations from critics and fans alike as well as an Emmy Award nomination, three Golden Globe Award nods, and two Screen Actors Guild Awards.
Meanwhile, Vaughn rose to fame in the 1950s and 1960s. His roles in shows such as "Zorro," "Tales of Wells Fargo," "The Eleventh Hour," "The Lieutenant," and "The Man from U.N.C.L.E." made him a coveted actor in television.
Cross and Vaughn will also be joined by Susie Essman, known for her appearances and parts in various television show series such as "Curb Your Enthusiasm," "Broad City," "Blue Bloods," and "The King of Queens" as well as in "Law & Order and Law & Order: Criminal Intent."
Mercedes Ruehl, another alum of "Law & Order" as well as a staple actress in numerous small screen shows like "Monday Mornings," "Entourage," "Psych," "Frasier," and "Our Family Honor," will be part of the episode as well.
