Michael Cutter
Encyclopedia
Michael "Mike" Cutter is a fictional character
on the long-running NBC series Law & Order
and its spinoff Law & Order: Special Victims Unit
played by Linus Roache
. The character debuted in L&O's eighteenth season premiere, broadcast January 2, 2008, and remained through its series finale
on May 24, 2010. The character returned to television in SVU's thirteenth season premiere, broadcast September 21, 2011.
, Cutter is the Executive Assistant District Attorney, following the appointment of his predecessor Jack McCoy
(Sam Waterston
) to the New York County District Attorney
seat vacated by Arthur Branch
(Fred Dalton Thompson
).
He works closely with Connie Rubirosa
(Alana De La Garza
), the Assistant District Attorney who had previously aided McCoy. Because of this, he has occasionally discussed McCoy with her—usually with complaints—in an attempt to understand his new boss. As evidenced by his first appearance, he is familiar with former District Attorney
Arthur Branch
, having apparently been in Branch's office on at least one occasion (L&O: "Called Home"). In the episode "Executioner", he reveals that he supports the death penalty. In the L&O episode "By Perjury", he is almost murdered in the bathroom of the courthouse before being saved at the last moment by detectives Cyrus Lupo
(Jeremy Sisto
) and Kevin Bernard
(Anthony Anderson
).
In the L&O season 20 episode "Innocence", Cutter's former Hudson University
law professor raises an issue regarding Cutter's qualification to practice law. Although he did the required undergraduate work, a few college credits were not recorded into his academic record. As a result of the missing credits, Cutter never received an undergraduate degree, a Bachelor of Arts (BA). Despite the lack of an undergraduate degree, he attended and graduated from law school; however, he "perpetuated" the oversight to the Bar Overseers by misrepresenting to them that he had received a BA and was admitted to the New York State Bar. He made the same misrepresentation when he applied for a position with the Manhattan
District Attorney's Office. At the end of the episode, he received a letter of reprimand from the Bar Overseers which also stated that the flaw in his academic background did not prejudice his past convictions. The letter would be published in the Law Journal the next day, and he was able to retain his law license.
In 2011, Cutter is promoted at the District Attorney's office to Bureau Chief Executive ADA; he oversees the assistant district attorneys assigned to the Special Victims Unit
.
Like his predecessor, Jack McCoy, Cutter is dogged in his pursuit of justice. Also, he appears willing to bend or break rules to secure a conviction. In L&O's "Darkness", detectives found the likely hideout of a kidnap victim who had been threatened with death. When the presiding judge was approached for a search warrant
, he refused to execute the warrant without further evidence such as computerized police
records which, because the city was experiencing a power blackout, were inaccessible. Gambling that he could be able to justify the actions later, Cutter told the detectives to enter the premises anyway. In L&O's "Quit Claim", he nearly suborns perjury
.
In L&O's "Tango", he realizes one of the jurors is attracted to his ADA, Connie Rubirosa
(Alana de la Garza
). He makes no mention of this to her, and encourages her to cross-examine witnesses in his stead. When she learns the truth, she feels Cutter "pimped [her] out to the jury". Regardless, subsequent episodes have portrayed a stable working and friendly relationship. In L&O's "Brilliant Disguise", Cutter talks about his actions while cross-examining the defendant in an attempt to elicit incriminating testimony, but claimed that he'd ordered her to instead of tricked her, much to her displeasure, by the end of the episode, he apologizes to Connie, she responds naturally and without friction.
Other methods of Cutter's include guilt tripping (potential) witnesses. Near the end of "Darkness", Cutter uses a man's daughter to make him testify. In another episode, he convinces a young girl that her relative may face serious charges unless she talks. He even once intimidated a defendant in L&O's "Bogeyman"; by implying that he is a member of a Scientology
-like group called "Systemotics," Cutter exploits the defendant's paranoia
to earn a plea bargain
. In L&O's "Skate or Die
", Cutter pretends to be a Russian
spy
to provoke a witness into headbutting him in front of Dr. Elizabeth Olivet
(Carolyn McCormick
) and demonstrate to her that the witness is a threat to himself and to others, leaving her no choice but to order him to take anti-psychotic medication. Cutter benefits from his provocation because the medicated witness is now able to provide coherent testimony.
In the L&O season 19 finale "The Drowned and the Saved
", McCoy makes a deal with the governor not to prosecute criminal charges against him in exchange for the governor's testimony against his wife. After McCoy leaves the room, Cutter shows a piece of paper to the governor purporting to contain a list of call girls and demanded that he resign at the threat of exposing the list. When the governor points out that that was not part of the deal, Cutter simply responds, "I'm not Jack McCoy." Later, after the governor publicly resigns, Cutter reveals that the piece of paper was blank.
In the L&O season 20 episode "For The Defense", he and Connie try to prosecute a former EADA, Marcus Woll, but while trying to stand trial for murder, he realizes that Connie and Marcus had an affair. This frustrates Cutter, as Marcus is trying to take Connie away from the DA's Office, especially as Marcus Woll is Cutter's "enemy."
In the L&O season 20 episode "Immortal" , when Cutter questions Lt. Anita Van Buren
(S. Epatha Merkerson
), he uses her ongoing cancer
treatment to win his case. Van Buren later confronts him outside of court, accusing him of using her and violating her privacy. At the end of the episode, the two are implied to be on non-speaking terms.
(L&O "Dignity").
In L&O episode 20.9, "For the Defense", Cutter indicates that he harbors romantic feelings for Connie Rubirosa
. McCoy, despite experiencing controversy due to his own relationships with various former ADAs (including the now deceased Claire Kincaid
), appears to be supportive of Cutter's aspirations. At the end of the episode, it is hinted that she is aware of his attraction, but her own feelings are unknown.
In L&O episode 20.18, "Brazil", Cutter mentions that his parents divorced when he was 10 years old, and since then, he has had very little contact with his father.
Fictional character
A character is the representation of a person in a narrative work of art . Derived from the ancient Greek word kharaktêr , the earliest use in English, in this sense, dates from the Restoration, although it became widely used after its appearance in Tom Jones in 1749. From this, the sense of...
on the long-running NBC series Law & Order
Law & Order
Law & Order is an American police procedural and legal drama television series, created by Dick Wolf and part of the Law & Order franchise. It aired on NBC, and in syndication on various cable networks. Law & Order premiered on September 13, 1990, and completed its 20th and final season on May 24,...
and its spinoff Law & Order: Special Victims Unit
Law & Order: Special Victims Unit
Law & Order: Special Victims Unit is an American police procedural television drama series set in New York City, where it is also primarily produced...
played by Linus Roache
Linus Roache
Linus William Roache is an English actor.-Early life:Roache was born in Manchester, the son of Coronation Street actor William Roache and actress Anna Cropper. Roache was educated at Bishop Luffa Church of England School in Chichester, West Sussex and at the independent Rydal School in Colwyn Bay,...
. The character debuted in L&O's eighteenth season premiere, broadcast January 2, 2008, and remained through its series finale
Series finale
A series finale refers to the last installment of a series with a narrative presented through mediums such as television, film and literature. In many Commonwealth countries, the term final episode is commonly used in regards to a television series...
on May 24, 2010. The character returned to television in SVU's thirteenth season premiere, broadcast September 21, 2011.
Career history
Within the continuity of the Law & Order franchiseLaw & Order franchise
The Law & Order franchise is a number of related American television series created by Dick Wolf and originally broadcast on NBC, all of which deal with some aspect of the criminal justice system...
, Cutter is the Executive Assistant District Attorney, following the appointment of his predecessor Jack McCoy
Jack McCoy
John James "Jack" McCoy is a fictional character in the television drama Law & Order, created by Michael S. Chernuchin and played by Sam Waterston since 1994. He is the second-longest tenured character on the show, after Lt. Anita Van Buren . On January 28, 2009, McCoy's character ended the longest...
(Sam Waterston
Sam Waterston
Samuel Atkinson "Sam" Waterston is an American actor and occasional producer and director. Among other roles, he is noted for his Academy Award-nominated portrayal of Sydney Schanberg in 1984's The Killing Fields, and his Golden Globe- and Screen Actors Guild Award-winning portrayal of Jack McCoy...
) to the New York County District Attorney
District attorney
In many jurisdictions in the United States, a District Attorney is an elected or appointed government official who represents the government in the prosecution of criminal offenses. The district attorney is the highest officeholder in the jurisdiction's legal department and supervises a staff of...
seat vacated by Arthur Branch
Arthur Branch
Arthur Branch is a fictional attorney and a regular character on the TV crime dramas Law & Order and Law & Order: Trial by Jury. Branch has also appeared on Law & Order: Special Victims Unit, Law & Order: Criminal Intent, and Conviction....
(Fred Dalton Thompson
Fred Dalton Thompson
Fred Dalton Thompson , is an American politician, actor, attorney, lobbyist, columnist, and radio host. He served as a Republican U.S...
).
He works closely with Connie Rubirosa
Connie Rubirosa
Assistant District Attorney / Deputy District Attorney Consuela "Connie" Rubirosa is a fictional character, portrayed by Alana de la Garza, who joined the cast of long-running NBC drama series Law & Order during the 17th season premiere episode "Fame". She is the only second-chair ADA of Law &...
(Alana De La Garza
Alana de la Garza
Alana de la Garza is an American actress. She is most famous for her role as A.D.A. Connie Rubirosa on the television series Law & Order and its short-lived spin-off, Law & Order: LA.-Biography:...
), the Assistant District Attorney who had previously aided McCoy. Because of this, he has occasionally discussed McCoy with her—usually with complaints—in an attempt to understand his new boss. As evidenced by his first appearance, he is familiar with former District Attorney
District attorney
In many jurisdictions in the United States, a District Attorney is an elected or appointed government official who represents the government in the prosecution of criminal offenses. The district attorney is the highest officeholder in the jurisdiction's legal department and supervises a staff of...
Arthur Branch
Arthur Branch
Arthur Branch is a fictional attorney and a regular character on the TV crime dramas Law & Order and Law & Order: Trial by Jury. Branch has also appeared on Law & Order: Special Victims Unit, Law & Order: Criminal Intent, and Conviction....
, having apparently been in Branch's office on at least one occasion (L&O: "Called Home"). In the episode "Executioner", he reveals that he supports the death penalty. In the L&O episode "By Perjury", he is almost murdered in the bathroom of the courthouse before being saved at the last moment by detectives Cyrus Lupo
Cyrus Lupo
Det. Cyrus "Lupes" Lupo is a fictional character on the long-running NBC series Law & Order, played by Jeremy Sisto. He replaced Nina Cassady, who was written out of the show due to Milena Govich's departure from the cast.-Character development:...
(Jeremy Sisto
Jeremy Sisto
Jeremy Merton Sisto is an American actor. Sisto has had recurring roles as Billy Chenowith on the HBO series Six Feet Under and Detective Cyrus Lupo on Law & Order on television and also starred in the films Jesus, Clueless and Thirteen.-Early life:Sisto was born in Grass Valley, California, the...
) and Kevin Bernard
Kevin Bernard
Kevin Bernard is a fictional character on the TV crime drama Law & Order, portrayed by Anthony Anderson.- Character overview :Detective Bernard first appears in the episode "Burn Card" as an Internal Affairs detective, investigating a shooting in which Detective Ed Green is involved...
(Anthony Anderson
Anthony Anderson
Anthony Anderson is an American actor, comedian, and writer. He has starred in his own sitcom All About the Andersons, as well as the Fox sitcom The Bernie Mac Show during the fifth and final season of the show. He is also known for his leading roles in television dramas such as K-Ville, The...
).
In the L&O season 20 episode "Innocence", Cutter's former Hudson University
Hudson University
Hudson University is a fictional university alluded to in the TV shows The Cosby Show, Degrassi: the Next Generation, Law & Order, Tru Calling, Without a Trace, Castle and in the DC Comics universe.-Law & Order:...
law professor raises an issue regarding Cutter's qualification to practice law. Although he did the required undergraduate work, a few college credits were not recorded into his academic record. As a result of the missing credits, Cutter never received an undergraduate degree, a Bachelor of Arts (BA). Despite the lack of an undergraduate degree, he attended and graduated from law school; however, he "perpetuated" the oversight to the Bar Overseers by misrepresenting to them that he had received a BA and was admitted to the New York State Bar. He made the same misrepresentation when he applied for a position with the Manhattan
Manhattan
Manhattan is the oldest and the most densely populated of the five boroughs of New York City. Located primarily on the island of Manhattan at the mouth of the Hudson River, the boundaries of the borough are identical to those of New York County, an original county of the state of New York...
District Attorney's Office. At the end of the episode, he received a letter of reprimand from the Bar Overseers which also stated that the flaw in his academic background did not prejudice his past convictions. The letter would be published in the Law Journal the next day, and he was able to retain his law license.
In 2011, Cutter is promoted at the District Attorney's office to Bureau Chief Executive ADA; he oversees the assistant district attorneys assigned to the Special Victims Unit
Law & Order: Special Victims Unit
Law & Order: Special Victims Unit is an American police procedural television drama series set in New York City, where it is also primarily produced...
.
Tactics
Roache describes his character as follows: "Sometimes he's a little dangerous; he's not necessarily a comfortable kind of guy." (...) "He cares about justice ... but he sometimes takes these leaps out-of-the-box and is kind of non-linear." Since the introduction of Cutter on Law & Order, little has been revealed about his past or personal life. In the L&O episode "Pledge", Cutter said he attended a "state school" but did not name the school or indicate whether he attended the school as an undergraduate, a law student, or both.Like his predecessor, Jack McCoy, Cutter is dogged in his pursuit of justice. Also, he appears willing to bend or break rules to secure a conviction. In L&O's "Darkness", detectives found the likely hideout of a kidnap victim who had been threatened with death. When the presiding judge was approached for a search warrant
Search warrant
A search warrant is a court order issued by a Magistrate, judge or Supreme Court Official that authorizes law enforcement officers to conduct a search of a person or location for evidence of a crime and to confiscate evidence if it is found....
, he refused to execute the warrant without further evidence such as computerized police
Police
The police is a personification of the state designated to put in practice the enforced law, protect property and reduce civil disorder in civilian matters. Their powers include the legitimized use of force...
records which, because the city was experiencing a power blackout, were inaccessible. Gambling that he could be able to justify the actions later, Cutter told the detectives to enter the premises anyway. In L&O's "Quit Claim", he nearly suborns perjury
Subornation of perjury
The legal term subornation of perjury describes the crime of persuading a person to commit perjury; and also describes the circumstance wherein an attorney causes or allows another party to lie...
.
In L&O's "Tango", he realizes one of the jurors is attracted to his ADA, Connie Rubirosa
Connie Rubirosa
Assistant District Attorney / Deputy District Attorney Consuela "Connie" Rubirosa is a fictional character, portrayed by Alana de la Garza, who joined the cast of long-running NBC drama series Law & Order during the 17th season premiere episode "Fame". She is the only second-chair ADA of Law &...
(Alana de la Garza
Alana de la Garza
Alana de la Garza is an American actress. She is most famous for her role as A.D.A. Connie Rubirosa on the television series Law & Order and its short-lived spin-off, Law & Order: LA.-Biography:...
). He makes no mention of this to her, and encourages her to cross-examine witnesses in his stead. When she learns the truth, she feels Cutter "pimped [her] out to the jury". Regardless, subsequent episodes have portrayed a stable working and friendly relationship. In L&O's "Brilliant Disguise", Cutter talks about his actions while cross-examining the defendant in an attempt to elicit incriminating testimony, but claimed that he'd ordered her to instead of tricked her, much to her displeasure, by the end of the episode, he apologizes to Connie, she responds naturally and without friction.
Other methods of Cutter's include guilt tripping (potential) witnesses. Near the end of "Darkness", Cutter uses a man's daughter to make him testify. In another episode, he convinces a young girl that her relative may face serious charges unless she talks. He even once intimidated a defendant in L&O's "Bogeyman"; by implying that he is a member of a Scientology
Scientology
Scientology is a body of beliefs and related practices created by science fiction and fantasy author L. Ron Hubbard , starting in 1952, as a successor to his earlier self-help system, Dianetics...
-like group called "Systemotics," Cutter exploits the defendant's paranoia
Paranoia
Paranoia [] is a thought process believed to be heavily influenced by anxiety or fear, often to the point of irrationality and delusion. Paranoid thinking typically includes persecutory beliefs, or beliefs of conspiracy concerning a perceived threat towards oneself...
to earn a plea bargain
Plea bargain
A plea bargain is an agreement in a criminal case whereby the prosecutor offers the defendant the opportunity to plead guilty, usually to a lesser charge or to the original criminal charge with a recommendation of a lighter than the maximum sentence.A plea bargain allows criminal defendants to...
. In L&O's "Skate or Die
Skate or Die (Law & Order)
"Skate or Die" is the 21st episode of the 19 season of NBC's legal drama Law & Order.-Plot:Detectives Lupo and Bernard investigate a serial killer who targets homeless men and discover that a copycat may be at work.-Law:*Jeremy Sisto – Det. Cyrus Lupo...
", Cutter pretends to be a Russian
Russia
Russia or , officially known as both Russia and the Russian Federation , is a country in northern Eurasia. It is a federal semi-presidential republic, comprising 83 federal subjects...
spy
Espionage
Espionage or spying involves an individual obtaining information that is considered secret or confidential without the permission of the holder of the information. Espionage is inherently clandestine, lest the legitimate holder of the information change plans or take other countermeasures once it...
to provoke a witness into headbutting him in front of Dr. Elizabeth Olivet
Elizabeth Olivet
Dr. Elizabeth Olivet is a fictional character on the TV crime drama Law & Order. She was portrayed by Carolyn McCormick from 1991 to 1997 and in 1999. The character was revived in 2002, but made far less frequent appearances on the show....
(Carolyn McCormick
Carolyn McCormick
Carolyn Inez McCormick is an American actress best known for her role as Dr. Elizabeth Olivet on Law & Order franchise.-Life and career:McCormick was born in Midland, Texas to a father who owned an oil drilling company...
) and demonstrate to her that the witness is a threat to himself and to others, leaving her no choice but to order him to take anti-psychotic medication. Cutter benefits from his provocation because the medicated witness is now able to provide coherent testimony.
In the L&O season 19 finale "The Drowned and the Saved
The Drowned and the Saved (Law & Order)
"The Drowned and the Saved" is the nineteenth season finale of the long-running legal drama Law & Order.-Development:The murder of a charity executive leads detectives on a trail of political intrigue...
", McCoy makes a deal with the governor not to prosecute criminal charges against him in exchange for the governor's testimony against his wife. After McCoy leaves the room, Cutter shows a piece of paper to the governor purporting to contain a list of call girls and demanded that he resign at the threat of exposing the list. When the governor points out that that was not part of the deal, Cutter simply responds, "I'm not Jack McCoy." Later, after the governor publicly resigns, Cutter reveals that the piece of paper was blank.
In the L&O season 20 episode "For The Defense", he and Connie try to prosecute a former EADA, Marcus Woll, but while trying to stand trial for murder, he realizes that Connie and Marcus had an affair. This frustrates Cutter, as Marcus is trying to take Connie away from the DA's Office, especially as Marcus Woll is Cutter's "enemy."
In the L&O season 20 episode "Immortal" , when Cutter questions Lt. Anita Van Buren
Anita Van Buren
Lt. Anita Van Buren is a fictional character on NBC's long running police procedural and legal drama television series Law & Order, portrayed by S. Epatha Merkerson. By episode count, she is the longest-running character on the show...
(S. Epatha Merkerson
S. Epatha Merkerson
S. Epatha Merkerson is an American film, stage, and television actress. She has won a Golden Globe, Emmy Awards, Screen Actors Guild Awards, Obie Award and four NAACP Image Awards. She has also received two Tony Award nominations...
), he uses her ongoing cancer
Cancer
Cancer , known medically as a malignant neoplasm, is a large group of different diseases, all involving unregulated cell growth. In cancer, cells divide and grow uncontrollably, forming malignant tumors, and invade nearby parts of the body. The cancer may also spread to more distant parts of the...
treatment to win his case. Van Buren later confronts him outside of court, accusing him of using her and violating her privacy. At the end of the episode, the two are implied to be on non-speaking terms.
Personal life
Cutter is pro-lifePro-life
Opposition to the legalization of abortion is centered around the pro-life, or anti-abortion, movement, a social and political movement opposing elective abortion on moral grounds and supporting its legal prohibition or restriction...
(L&O "Dignity").
In L&O episode 20.9, "For the Defense", Cutter indicates that he harbors romantic feelings for Connie Rubirosa
Connie Rubirosa
Assistant District Attorney / Deputy District Attorney Consuela "Connie" Rubirosa is a fictional character, portrayed by Alana de la Garza, who joined the cast of long-running NBC drama series Law & Order during the 17th season premiere episode "Fame". She is the only second-chair ADA of Law &...
. McCoy, despite experiencing controversy due to his own relationships with various former ADAs (including the now deceased Claire Kincaid
Claire Kincaid
Assistant District Attorney Claire Kincaid is a fictional character on the television series Law & Order, played by Jill Hennessy from 1993 to 1996.-Character overview:...
), appears to be supportive of Cutter's aspirations. At the end of the episode, it is hinted that she is aware of his attraction, but her own feelings are unknown.
In L&O episode 20.18, "Brazil", Cutter mentions that his parents divorced when he was 10 years old, and since then, he has had very little contact with his father.