Shakeup on Law & Order: Los Angeles: Skeet Ulrich Out, Alfred Molina Now Playing a Cop

Alfred Molina will replace Skeet Ulrich as the lead detective on Law & Order: Los Angeles, executive producer Dick Wolf announced in a statement Wednesday.

Molina, who currently plays Deputy District Attorney Ricardo Morales, will jump from the courtroom to the precinct beginning with episode 15. It will be revealed that Morales was an LAPD detective for 15 years, and when he becomes frustrated with the law, he decides to return to the force as a beat cop.

Skeet Ulrich, two actresses exiting Law & Order: Los Angeles

Ulrich will make his final appearance in episode 14. Cast members Megan Boone and Regina Hall are also exiting the series. Producers have yet to announce a new assistant D.A. to be paired with Howard's character.

These changes will promote both Molina and Terrence Howard, who plays the series' other prosecutor Jonah Dekker, to full-time status. "We have the fortune of two world class actors on LOLA, and it was frustrating to have one on the bench every week," franchise creator and executive producer Dick Wolf said in a statement. "It would be like having Peyton Manning and Tom Brady as your quarterbacks, playing alternate games."

Do you think Molina will make a good cop? Are you happy both Molina and Howard are now full-time?