‘Law & Order’ reincarnated in ‘Trial by Jury’ with like result

Thursday night at 10 will bring the answer to the question: “Can Dick Wolf go to the well too many times?”

That’s when the latest of the part-time MDI resident’s “Law & Order” series, “Trial by Jury,” debuts on NBC. It will move to its regular timeslot of 10 p.m. Fridays starting this Friday.

“Trial by Jury” changes the “Law & Order” formula a wee bit. It follows a trial from beginning to end, in essence taking the second half-hour of any “L&O” episode and blowing it up to a full hour.

A nice wrinkle is that the show takes viewers inside the defense as well, as the accused and his or her lawyers formulate their strategies. This way, both sides are laid out as the case proceeds.

“Trial by Jury” has a strong cast, including Bebe Neuwirth, Amy Carlson, Kirk Acevedo and Fred Thompson, reprising his role of D.A. Arthur Branch from “Law & Order.”

The late Jerry Orbach appears, alas, only in the first two episodes before succumbing to cancer. Unfortunately, his Lennie Briscoe is the only fully fleshed-out character in a rather stolid lot. The more colorful characters are the defense attorneys, played by such guest stars as Annabella Sciorra, Peter Coyote and Lorraine Bracco.

Like any of the “Law & Order” series, “Trial by Jury” has dependable writing, with a handful of twists and turns. If you like the others, you’ll like this as well.

As for the nonfans, until it’s better developed, the verdict will be out for “Trial by Jury.”