Why Law & Order, Blacklist Fans Recognize Chicago Med Guest Star Deirdre Lovejoy
After appearing in dozens of TV dramas throughout the years, Deirdre Lovejoy has come to Chicago Med.
Chicago Med never fails to deliver a powerhouse guest star – you truly never know which patient will come through Gaffney's Emergency Department next. And as actress Deirdre Lovejoy joins Med's legion of guest stars, fans of other NBC dramas may recognize her.
Lovejoy has built an impressive television career, earning recognition for her performances across crime dramas and action-thrillers. With an affinity for playing complex and formidable characters, Lovejoy knows how to get the dramatic blood pumping, leaving her mark on several popular series. Those who love Dick Wolf's sprawling landscape of TV dramas may recognize Lovejoy from her appearances across the Law & Order universe. Or perhaps fans remember Lovejoy from her portrayal of White House counsel Cynthia Panabaker in The Blacklist. Lovejoy's been booked and busy for decades of television thrills, and she's bound to deliver that trademark magnetism in Season 10, Episode 16 ("Poster Child"), where she plays a former patient of Sharon Goodwin's (S. Epatha Merkerson).
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Before you catch Lovejoy's entrance to Gaffney Chicago Medical Center, let's revisit some of her best-known projects:
Who did Deirdre Lovejoy play on Law & Order?
Lovejoy has played several characters across the Law & Order universe, making guest appearances in the original series, Law & Order: SVU, and Law & Order: Criminal Intent. In fact, one of Lovejoy's first-ever television projects was her 1994 appearance on Law & Order; she played Judith Crockit in Season 5, Episode 8 ("Virtue"). A few years later, Lovejoy returned to guest star as a separate character in the Season 8 premiere ("Thrill").
Lovejoy has brushed paths with SVU's Captain Olivia Benson four times throughout the years. She guest-starred in two early episodes of SVU as Detective Hernandez, a minor character in the precinct. Years later, Lovejoy guest-starred in Season 9, Episode 19 ("Cold") as Penelope Fielding, a criminology professor who helped the squad. Lovejoy returned to SVU in Season 22, Episode 14 ("Post-Graduate Psychopath") as Dr. Lisa Mackie, the former psychiatrist of a suspect.
Lovejoy's made two Criminal Intent guest appearances as well, delivering memorable performances in Season 2, Episode 6 ("Malignant") and Season 8, Episode 16 ("Revolution") as two different characters.
Who did Deirdre Lovejoy play on The Blacklist?
Lovejoy also made her way to The Blacklist universe, working closely with James Spader's illusive Raymond Reddington for several seasons of the show.
Introduced in Season 3 of The Blacklist, Lovejoy played White House Counsel Cynthia Panabaker, a whip-smart government official fully briefed on Red's list of criminals and his mysterious task force of investigators. Appearing in 28 episodes across eight seasons of The Blacklist, Panabaker was one of the few people Red trusted.
Deirdre Lovejoy's other shows and movies
Lovejoy's role as Assistant State's Attorney Rhonda Pearlman on The Wire helped put her on the map after she starred in all five seasons. Lovejoy also earned acclaim on the mystery series Bones after she played serial killer Heather Taffet (a.k.a. "The Gravedigger"). You'd be correct if you've caught a theme among her projects — Lovejoy elevates whatever crime drama she joins.
Lovejoy has guest-starred in several procedural heavyweights like NYPD Blue, Cold Case, NCIS: New Orleans, Medium, Criminal Minds, Elementary, plus many more. Aside from the grit of procedurals, Lovejoy has delivered unforgettable performances in series like Raising Dion, Shameless, and Orange Is The New Black.
RELATED: When and Where to Watch The Blacklist
Lovejoy's career is a testament to her skill in bringing wit, strength, and nuance to every character she's played, and we can't wait to see what she brings to Chicago Med.
Watch Chicago Med on Wednesdays at 8/7c on NBC and the next day on Peacock.
