Law & Order: Los Angeles' Terrence Howard Says Character Is Show's "Moral Compass"

Last week, Law & Order: Los Angeles fans got their first look at Alfred Molina behind the prosecutor's table as Deputy District Attorney Ricardo Morales. This week, viewers will meet his counterpart, D.D.A. Jonah "Joe" Dekker (Terrence Howard).

"He's the moral compass of the show," Howard says of Dekker. "He's always on the verge of being fired [for trying to do the right thing]."

The Oscar-nominated actor, 41, will make his series debut Wednesday, when the team investigates a vicious stabbing death near Echo Park.

To find out more about Howard's character and the secret clause in his contract, check out the behind-the-scenes video below:

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Law & Order: Los Angeles airs Wednesday at 10/9c on NBC.