Claire Kincaid

Claire Kincaid was a fictional television character on the TV show Law & Order, played by Jill Hennessy from 1993 to 1996. Her character is to this day one of the most popular to have been featured on the show.

Related Topics:
Television - Law & Order - Jill Hennessy - 1993 - 1996

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As played by Hennessy, Kincaid was an idealistic, outspoken feminist and agnostic who became increasingly disenchanted with her job as Assistant District Attorney. Her political views—she was vocally pro-choice, opposed the death penalty, and had ambivalent feelings toward drug prohibition—often came into conflict with the realities of the legal system.

Related Topics:
Feminist - Agnostic - Pro-choice - Death penalty - Drug prohibition - Legal system

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Kincaid had two very different working relationships with the two District Attorneys she worked under. She worked with Ben Stone (played by Michael Moriarty) during her first year on the job, in a strictly professional, almost teacher-student partnership. Her relationship with Stone's successor, Jack McCoy (played by Sam Waterston), was more problematic, however: she and the brash, ruthless McCoy often butted heads over the social and political implications of their trial strategies, as well as McCoy's penchant for bending trial rules to get a conviction. The two eventually formed a close bond, however, briefly becoming lovers. This was never mentioned on-screen until after Hennessy left the program, and was left for viewers to infer. Interestingly, Hennessy was not told that the show's creative staff had decided that Kincaid and McCoy's relationship had proceeded to the sexual level; Waterston, however, was told, and this allows for new interpretations of their characters' dynamic.

Related Topics:
District Attorney - Ben Stone - Michael Moriarty - Jack McCoy - Sam Waterston

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In 1996, as Kincaid was considering leaving the DA's office, she was killed when her car was struck by a drunk driver as she drove an inebriated Lennie Briscoe home from a bar. (The character was killed off when Hennessy decided to leave the show to pursue a movie career.) McCoy is still haunted by her death. Kincaid was replaced by Jamie Ross (played by Carey Lowell).

Related Topics:
Drunk driver - Lennie Briscoe - Jamie Ross - Carey Lowell

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