Maura Tierney previews her Law and Order character Lt. Grady and her tension with Olivia Benson

Maura Tierney is about to join Law and Order and is giving a peek at what to expect from her new boss!

Law and Order fans are used to the revolving door of cast members coming and going over the show's 34-year history. Season 23 opened with Jeffrey Donovan having left as Frank Cosgrove and Reid Scott joining as Detective Vincent Riley. Midway through the season, Sam Waterston ended his long run as iconic D.A. Jack McCoy with Tony Goldwyn replacing him as Nicholas Baxter. 

So it was little surprise it was announced in May that Camryn Manheim, who had joined the show in its 2022 revival as Lieutenant Kate Dixon, would be departing the series. There's no word on how Dixon leaves, but the show has already cast her replacement, with Maura Tierney joining the season 24 premiere as Lieutenant Jessica Grady.

Tierney has experience with the show, as one of her first acting gigs was a Law and Order episode way back in 1991. That was before her breakout turn in NewsRadio and a great career including ER, The Affair, American Rust and more. 

Speaking to Entertainment Weekly, Tierney previewed her debut, noting that Grady is a departure from past lieutenants as rather than be stuck in the office talking to the cops, she'll be at crime scenes to take on more of a lead on cases. That includes the premiere with a prosecutor murdered in her own home. 

Tierney admitted she was "fairly nervous" about joining the iconic franchise in a major role but seems set to show how Grady, a former homicide detective, is still taking on major challenges. Which includes a certain famous Law and Order cop.

What happens when Grady meets Benson on Law and Order?

The second episode of the season will be a big one as Mariska Hargitay guest stars as Olivia Benson. The SVU cop aids the team in a case involving a dating app that's gotten out of control, leading to murder. While seeing Grady and Benson team up is fun, Tierney hints it may not be a cordial meeting. 

"It was funny to me because I read the script and I was like, 'Oh, I get to call her Liv,' which was very exciting and funny. We don't really get along, our characters. They get into a disagreement about how a certain legal matter should be handled, so it was fun to get into it with her a little bit."

Grady is likewise trying to prove herself to Riley and Shaw (Mehcad Brooks), who are taken aback at her strident new attitude. That could also lead to clashes with the prosecutors. Thus, it appears Tierney is ready to give Law and Order a new spark in season 24 with the lieutenant being a bold departure from her predecessors.

Law and Order season 24 premieres Thursday, October 3 at 8/7c on NBC.