Law & Order: Criminal Intent Star Vincent D'Onofrio Reflects on Grueling Filming Schedule

The actor opened up about the long hours and tough transitions he faced while starring on the hit crime drama.

Apr. 14, 2026 at 6:52am

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An extreme close-up of a shattered, glittering glass lens reflecting a soft, warm light, conceptually representing the demanding production of a long-running television series.The intense filming schedule of a hit TV crime drama took a heavy toll on its lead actors, exposing the challenges of sustaining a long-running series.NYC Today

Vincent D'Onofrio, who played Detective Robert Goren on all 10 seasons of Law & Order: Criminal Intent, revealed that the show's demanding filming schedule took a heavy toll on him and co-star Kathryn Erbe. D'Onofrio said they averaged about 17 hours of filming per day for 10 months a year, which he 'hated' and is glad is no longer allowed in the industry.

Why it matters

D'Onofrio's candid comments shed light on the challenging realities of starring in a long-running television series, where actors can face burnout from the relentless production schedule. His remarks also highlight the evolution of industry standards and the need to protect the well-being of performers.

The details

Despite the grueling hours, D'Onofrio said the experience helped him grow as an actor, as he had to learn how to handle the 'weird transitions' required in television compared to film. He also discussed his role as the Kingpin in Daredevil, noting that he always expected the series to return despite co-star Charlie Cox's doubts.

  • Law & Order: Criminal Intent aired from 2001 to 2011.
  • D'Onofrio and Kathryn Erbe only appeared in the first two episodes of season 9 before returning full-time for the final season.

The players

Vincent D'Onofrio

An American actor who played the lead role of Detective Robert Goren on the crime drama series Law & Order: Criminal Intent for all 10 seasons.

Kathryn Erbe

An American actress who co-starred with D'Onofrio as Detective Alexandra Eames on Law & Order: Criminal Intent.

Dick Wolf

The creator of the Law & Order franchise, who approached D'Onofrio about starring in the spin-off series.

Charlie Cox

The actor who portrayed the title character in the Marvel series Daredevil, in which D'Onofrio played the villain Kingpin.

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What they’re saying

“It was exhausting for Kate Erbe and me. It was a lot of hours. We basically averaged about 17 hours a day, every day, for 10 months a year. So that was tough. You know, I hated that. And I'm glad it's really not allowed. Nobody's allowed to do that anymore with actors.”

— Vincent D'Onofrio, Actor

“There was so much dialogue to learn all the time. There were so many weird transitions that I had to make within one scene; in a TV show, there could be three transitions within a scene. So, I didn't know how to do that. I had to learn on the job. And I don't think I would have evolved like I did if it wasn't for that show.”

— Vincent D'Onofrio, Actor

“Charlie [Cox] didn't [expect to return], but I did. Every time Charlie used to say we're not coming back, I used to say, 'I think we're coming back', and he used to think I was just being delusional.”

— Vincent D'Onofrio

The takeaway

D'Onofrio's candid remarks about the grueling filming schedule on Law & Order: Criminal Intent highlight the challenges actors can face in long-running television productions, and the industry's evolving standards to protect performer well-being. His growth as an actor through the experience also underscores the value of challenging roles, even when the conditions are demanding.