FBI: Most Wanted‘s Dylan McDermott Talks Going From Villain to a ‘Wildly Different’ Hero in Dick Wolf Universe
Soon as it was announced that Dylan McDermott would succeed Julian McMahon as FBI: Most Wanted‘s team leader, those familiar with the Dick Wolf Extended Universe wondered how Law & Order: Organized Crime‘s inaugural villain could navigate such a heel-to-hero transition.
On Law & Order: OC, McDermott played the cunning Richard M. Wheatley, who was in and out of prison for organized crime activity and as a suspect in the murder of no less than lawman Elliot Stabler’s wife, Kathy.
In the next FBI: Most Wanted — airing Tuesday, April 12 (not six weeks after his OC sendoff) and titled “Covenant” — McDermott will make his debut as Remy Scott, the “charming but formidable” (CBS’ words!) Special Agent who takes charge as the feds investigate a series of homicides tied to a forbidden love between a young teen and her older boyfriend.
Speaking with TVLine at a Wednesday press event, McDermott acknowledged that the aforementioned transition has been “really an interesting process,” in that “I’ve been reading comments online, people saying, ‘Oh, it’s too soon!’ ‘He’s Richard Wheatley, the bad guy!’ And I relish it, because I think it’s amazing that people actually do believe that I’m him, I’m that character.”
And because of that POV held by some, the TV vet is ready to upend expectations.
“I just love that [mindset] because now they’re going to see me in a completely different light,” he avowed. “These are wildly different people, with wildly different agendas in life.”
Including also in CBS’ Hostages and the big screen’s Olympus Has Fallen (whoops, spoiler alert?), “I know I’ve been playing questionable people,” McDermott noted, “and now it was time to play someone good again — and Remy Scott is that character…. I think you going to quickly forget about Richard Wheatley by the end of [the next FBI: Most Wanted]. You’re going to be like, ‘This is Remy Scott.'”
FBI: Most Wanted showrunner David Hudgins added that casting McDermott hot off his Organized Crime spree “was not a concern, because we had an idea of this character conceptually early on, and when Dylan came in, it expanded even further. But the idea was this guy will have some energy and some lightness and some ability to connect with people, which think is one of his biggest assets.”
The EP then added, “I agree with Dylan. By the time you see him in this episode, you’re not going to be thinking about Richard Wheatley — which, by the way, was a f–king great character.”
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He was so good of being bad on Law & Order: Organized Crime. Can’t wait to see Dylan McDermott going from villain to hero as he joins the cast of FBI: Most Wanted come Tuesday. Hope his character Remy Scott is going to be a great replacement for Julian McMahon’s Jess LaCroix.
Are they serious! With all the talent out there Dick Wolf chooses to believe that the notorious Villain of just a few months ago,, Is now a Team Leader!
Don’t think so
Are they sure that’s Dylan McDermott? Maybe it’s Dermot Mulroney.
I wish they’d renewed La to Vegas a few years ago. I didn’t know how i’d feel about Bobby Donnell a sexist jerk, and Dylan turned out to be great. Dermott as a recurring rival pilot was perfect.
Def Dylan McDermott..like they airbrushed him nice or something
Yes, Dermot McDylan’s hair does look a little plasticky in that photo
Dylan McDermott is great actor. I’ve seen him play both hero and villain already, so have to doubt he can make transition from Wheatley to Remy Scott quite well.. Can’t wait to see his first episode.
Dylan started as a good guy for me, in the 1994 take on Miracle on 34th Street. He continued to be a compelling lead when he then starred on the series The Practice. It amazes me that people would not be familiar with these performances. Am I really getting that old and has he really done that many bad guys since?
If you are that old, then you’re not the only one. I remember those performances as well.
With all due respect, Mr. McDermott, Wheatley was a great villain in the L&O verse. However he was no William Lewis. Is this Bobby Donnell as an FBI agent? Is he a Yankees fan? Best of luck.
Oh geez yes, William Lewis . . . . I can’t even watch those rerun episodes with him in them he was so awful. Very good actor, Pablo Schreiber, who played that character.
I agree with you. I always skip those episodes. He was really scary. I guess that shows what a good actor he is.
OMG!! I remember that character! What a sicko! Your post gave me chills!
I vaguely remember he played a cop on a show with Maggie Q years back. While he was a police officer helping victims he also had less than desirable traits. Seems from the character description seems he is more or less the same a ‘good guy’ with less than appealing traits.
I won’t be watching anymore of Wolf shows due to the recasting of the lead agent ,on FBI’s Most Wanted.Julian McMahon was outstanding in this role and replacing him with Mc Dermott is utterly ridiculous. So adieu Mr.Wolf from a fan if all your shows.
Wait – are you reacting as if Wolf fired McMahon? Julian chose to leave.
I totally agree with you. I think he is the most rediculous unbelievable character ever. It’s like it’s The Dylan McDermott show. He’s rude to his coworkers. When he went undercover as a ‘biker’ we laughed so hard. He looked like a little kid dressing up for Halloween. We used to love all the FBI shows but this one may have to go. He is a terrible actor. He might play a hero or a villian but he’s still always the same. BAD!
I’m very excited about watching Dylan’s debut episode as Remy Scott (that’s a good character name, too). McDermott is an accomplished actor – he can be bad, he can be good, a sinner or a saint… whichever the script calls for Dylan can portray. Meanwhile, Julian McMahon has moved on and couldn’t care less whether sullen fans are boycotting the show.
I can’t see him in FBI most wanted so soon after playing such a villain in Law & Order. Don’t you have other actors? I like him but this is too soon!
Agree not a good fit ,All the great actors out there should be someone that you can bring in .Someone that we don’t see another show from .He has big shoes to fill a gentle giant. Not bringing in a giant ,Gangster almost took over NYC murder his Father ,son Family Members ,Stables wive in cold blood .Kidnapped his mother. Evil Evil Heartless guy .
People bashing him before even seen him in the role is beyond me.
He is an actor, let him act.
I think he do well,if people hated him on organized Crime is because he played so well.I am looking forward to see what he’ll bring to the table.
Love any character he plays he’s gonna be great and I like him as Wheatley also he is a good actor he’s gonna do great we all miss
Jess But we have to move on
Great update. I agree as a professional “Shrink” I was wondering about the Wheatley transition process but DM is a fabulous actor and I look forward to seeing him work again. I was disappointed that McMahon left the show but excited for new direction.
I love Dylan McDermott and I never much watched Law and Order: Organized Crime anyway. Never much liked that one. I am very excited to see him on FBI: Most Wanted. I think he is going to do a great job.
Fine for me, I watch Most Wanted but not L&O: OC, so I’m looking forward to seeing how Remy brings Jess’ team back to life.
He was to sneaky at a 2 faced you know what at acting Mr nice guy inn law in Order .I dont think so He will always be a bad guy from Suv to me.They haven’t even killed him off on the other show.Feels like he’s moon lighting over here you want to call Stabler and tell him where to find him .The sad story about his brother didn’t work for me. Just a con man. Loved the show .May loose me.
Sorry, he will not work in the role especially with airing so close to OC. So, another series is destroyed.
After a month of watch the new lead McDermott on FBI Most Wanted, I still see so much of the Law and Order Organized Crime Richard M. Wheatley in so many scenarios. The low button down shirt, the convertible sports car, arrogance, even the way he talks to ‘his lovers’.
Maybe he just has a Character resembling the same in each new program?
Not convinced otherwise yet.
Dylan McDermott is such an unbelievable character on FBI Most Wanted. He was so stupidly rediculous playing the biker last week. We cannot stand him. Seems like they have made the show the Dylan McDermott show. Ruined the show as far as we’re concerned. He’s rude to his coworkers and always the supposed hero. Yuck! We may end up not watching the show. It had been one of our favorites. Please find someone else.
I thought he was undercover or something when I saw him in organised crime, it is a little confusing 😂