Henry Ian Cusick guest stars on 'Law & Order: SVU'

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by: Tyrone Warner
Date: 9/15/2010 11:51:00 AM ET

“It just seemed that I was no longer Ian Cusick, I was Desmond."

The former “Lost” star plays Erik Weber, a graphic artist, who becomes a romantic interest for Benson and a rival for Stabler.

Henry Ian Cusick’s appearance takes place during the 2-hour season 12 premiere which airs in Canada on Sunday, Sept. 19 at 9pm on CTV.

Previously known for his portrayal of the time-travelling character “Desmond” on “Lost,” Cusick was eager to find a new role on a series in order to begin distancing himself from the iconic character.

“I wanted to get away from Desmond,” says Cusick.

“It just seemed that I was no longer Ian Cusick, I was Desmond. So I wanted to sort of like just shed that skin.”

Born in Peru and raised in Scotland, Cusick perfected his craft working in theatre, eventually moving to television and landing his big break in his unforgettable performance as Desmond in the second season of “Lost” in 2005.

Since the “Lost” finale earlier this year, Cusick admits it’s been difficult to move on to new roles -- until “SVU” came knocking.

“Coming off a show like ‘Lost,’ there were other offers but it was difficult to get excited about anything because, ‘Lost’ was such a great piece of writing and such a hit show. But I felt I had an input into this character and also knowing who I was going to be working with,” says Cusick.

“And I got very excited as well by the guest stars involved in the show -- Joan Cusack and Peter Strauss were involved and I’m a big fan of both of theirs. I felt very honored to be asked and I find myself in very good company.”

Along with appearing on a new series, Cusick is working with new actors, including stars Mariska Hargitay and Christopher Meloni on “SVU.”

“I have to say Mariska, she was delightful and super supportive and very, very helpful to work for me as an actor. She was - it was really surprising. She’s done this role for 12 years now and she has all the intensity and all the care about doing this role as if were the first time,” says Cusick.

“So kudos to her and to Chris Meloni as well. You know, they’re so passionate about their show and they’re very proud of it and you can tell that. So you really have to pick up your game when you’re working with them.”

According to the Executive Producer of “SVU,” Neal Baer, this might not be the last time an actor from “Lost” appears on his show.

“I know Carlton Cuse really well and I said, ‘Carlton, I’m going to like take everybody from Lost,” says Neal Baer.

“We’ve run out of all the people from ‘Oz’ and ‘The Wire’ so now I’ve got to go to ‘Lost’ because Naveen (Andrews) was on last year.”

The new season of “SVU” also marks the production’s official move from New Jersey to New York City, where they’re shooting the series in the old space where “Law & Order” used to be filmed.