law and order Season 24 will begin with an explosive case that puts ADA Samantha Maroun in the spotlight, the actress says Odelya Halevi.

“She’s the focus,” Halevi, who plays Maroun on the NBC drama, said exclusively Us weekly The season premiere, airing Thursday, October 3, notes that the case involves a Brooklyn prosecutor who is murdered in her apartment.

Halevi, 35, said Maroun knew the victim personally and was “really affected by it.” This connection leads Maroun to “investigate” the crime and take the lead in the trial.

“She’s taking really desperate measures to get an eyewitness to testify because this case really affects her personally,” the actress said, revealing, “It really reminds her of her sister’s death and her sister’s murder and rape and so on.” the fact that it was her.” “I’m not in a position to be there (to help).”

Maroun previously shared that her sister was raped and murdered in Georgia, and even though law enforcement knew who the killer was, they were unable to file charges. This injustice will also impact the Season 24 premiere case.

“Despite her anger, sadness and frustration, she is determined to seek justice and win this case against all odds,” Halevi said Us.

As Maroun fights to put her friend’s killer behind bars, she is supported by her longtime colleague, executive ADA Nolan Price (Hugh Dancy), even if the two don’t always agree.

“What audiences will see in the first episode is the struggle between caring for each other personally as friends, as colleagues (and) as people who have known each other for a few years and have spent many hours together,” Halevi teased about their dynamic . “(And they) challenge each other and do what is right for the case itself. There’s always that struggle.”

She noted that Price and Maroun have “ups and downs,” but this season will see them “continue to challenge each other to think beyond the norm” and “push each other to be their better selves.”

Maroun’s best self will be the focus this season, Halevi said UsHe shared that with each episode, viewers will “learn more about Maroun’s strength and determination.”

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She teased, “We’ll get to know more details about her past and her struggles in life, growing up with immigrant parents, how she was in the minority, how she was able to win against all odds, how she came out on top represents their beliefs and ignores the naysayers.” ”

Not only do fans get to see more of Maroun’s story, but they are also introduced to a new character: Lieutenant Jessica Brady, played by Maura Tierney.

“Her character is an experienced detective. She pays attention to details and sees things no one else sees,” Halevi said Us by newcomer Brady. “She makes people take responsibility, which will create a new and interesting dynamic in the department between (Detective Vincent) Riley and (Detective Jalen) Shaw. It will challenge them.”

While Tierney, 59, is new to… law and order Family – apart from a role in one episode in 1991 – noted Halevi that she was a “great actress” who needed no hints. “Who am I to give Maura Tierney advice?” Halevi teased. “Light up. She could give me advice. I look up to her. I wouldn’t dare!”

Halevi gushed that she was a “long-time fan” of it HE alum, and she’s just happy to “finally” have someone her size on the show. “I was fighting with an apple box the whole time,” she said with a laugh, calling Tierney an “incredible human being.”

law and order Season 24 premieres on NBC on Thursday, October 3 at 8 p.m. ET.