Exclusive First Look: Punk Rocker Patti Smith Makes Her Acting Debut on Law & Order: CI

She's a Rock and Roll Hall of Famer and an award-winning author, but "Godmother of Punk" Patti Smith says picking up acting wasn't so easy.

"I've never really acted, but I highly respect the craft," she says of her upcoming role on Law & Order: Criminal Intent. "I knew that it wasn't going to be simple, but it was a little more daunting than I expected."

Check out photos from Law & Order: Criminal Intent

In "Icarus," airing Sunday at 9/8c on USA, Detectives Goren (Vincent D'Onofrio) and Eames (Kathryn Erbe) must investigate a Broadway musical after an actor dies while performing a stunt. The case, based off of the many injuries stemming from Broadway's Spider-Man: Turn Off the Dark, pushes Goren to call upon an old friend, Columbia University mythology professor Cleo Alexander (Smith), to help figure out the meaning behind Icarus (a metaphor for failed ambition).

Smith was brought on to the show by D'Onofrio and says he proved to be a great teacher, giving her direction "that will last a lifetime."

"He's been taught by the greatest, and he taught me, so I feel like if I had to do it again, I'd be really good," she says. "He's such a great actor, such a great director and becoming such a good friend."

Watch an exclusive first look at Smith's performance:

And check out this behind-the-scenes interview with Smith: