Today, Mariska Hargitay is best known for her role as Olivia Benson, the Commanding Officer of the Manhattan Special Victims Unit, on “Law & Order: SVU.” She has been the leading force of the series since 1999, captivating viewers who eagerly tune in each week to watch her character face new challenges. However, before she became synonymous with SVU, Hargitay was set to star in another crime-oriented drama that was initially intended to replace “Law & Order” in its time slot for a short period.
“Prince Street” premiered on Thursday, March 6, 1997, at 10:00 pm EST, a slot typically occupied by “ER.” While it aired on a Thursday, the plan was for it to temporarily take over “Law & Order’s” Wednesday night time slot at 10:00 pm EST for a few weeks in March and April. Unfortunately, “Prince Street” failed to gain traction.
The show’s premise was inspired by the real-life exploits of a covert police unit operating in New York City starting in the early 1970s. This unit worked undercover for 20 years behind a print shop on Prince Street. They didn’t carry badges and deeply immersed themselves in the city’s criminal underworld, aiming to dismantle some of the most dangerous criminal organizations.
Hargitay was cast as Detective Nina Echeverria. Though she had already showcased her talent in crime dramas, having previously appeared in “Law & Order,” it wasn’t until SVU that she had the opportunity to fully demonstrate her crime-busting prowess.
Despite filming several episodes, only two episodes of “Prince Street” ever aired. After the ratings for the second episode came in, the show was quickly canceled due to exceedingly low viewership numbers, especially for a show with a promising time slot.
“Law & Order” returned to its regular Wednesday night slot three weeks later, and “Prince Street” faded into obscurity. The show had completed six episodes and featured a cast of recognizable actors, including Joe Morton (“Scandal,” “Eureka,” “Speed”), Vincent Spano (“The Black Stallion Returns,” “Baby It’s You,” “Rumble Fish”), Lawrence Monoson (“The Last American Virgin”), and Dana Eskelson (“Cold Creek Manor,” “See You Next Tuesday”).
Although “Prince Street” was based on a real team and had a cast capable of delivering compelling performances, it failed to capture an audience. Given Hargitay’s current status as a major star, it’s likely she could successfully lead a similar show today, bringing her experience and fan base to a new crime drama.
