Honestly, if you grew up watching Dick Wolf’s flagship procedural, you probably have a mental list of assistant district attorneys. Most people jump straight to Claire Kincaid or Abbie Carmichael. But mention Alexandra Borgia Law and Order fans will almost always wince. It’s a physical reaction. Not because the character was bad—though she had her critics—but because of how it ended.
Annie Parisse stepped into the shoes of Alexandra Borgia in 2005. She was the replacement for Elisabeth Röhm’s Serena Southerlyn, who famously exited the show by asking, "Is it because I'm a lesbian?" It was a weird time for the series. Ratings were a bit shaky. The show was trying to find its footing after losing Jerry Orbach.
Who Was Alexandra Borgia?
Borgia was different. She wasn't as aggressive as Carmichael or as idealistic as Southerlyn. She was... polished. Professional. Maybe a little too "by the book" for some fans who wanted more fire, but she was competent.
Annie Parisse played her with this quiet intelligence. She had those sharp eyes that made you believe she actually read the law books on her desk. She joined midway through Season 15 in an episode called "Fluency." By the time the Season 16 finale rolled around, she had appeared in 33 episodes.
Then came "Invaders."
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If you haven't seen it in a while, it’s arguably the most brutal episode in the original run. It didn't feel like Law & Order. It felt like a horror movie. Borgia is at home. Someone knocks. She opens the door—which, let's be real, was a weird move for a savvy NY prosecutor—and she’s snatched.
The Death That Broke the Rules
Most characters on this show leave for "a job in the private sector" or "to move to D.C." Even Claire Kincaid's death was a car accident. But Borgia? She was kidnapped, bound with duct tape, and stuffed in a trunk.
When the detectives find the car, the camera doesn't blink. It lingers. They find her body, and the medical examiner’s report is genuinely stomach-turning: she died of asphyxiation because she choked on her own vomit while gagged.
It was graphic. It was mean. It was a complete departure from the "violence happens off-screen" rule the show usually followed. Jack McCoy, played by Sam Waterston, was visibly destroyed. It’s one of the few times we see him completely lose his stoicism and go on a legal warpath that almost crosses the line of ethics.
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Why Did They Do It?
There’s a lot of chatter about why the exit was so violent. Some reports suggest Annie Parisse wanted out of her contract. She was reportedly moving on to theater work and other projects. But the "why" behind the brutality usually points to two things:
- Shock Value: The show was in its 16th season. They needed a "water cooler moment" to keep people talking during the summer hiatus.
- Behind-the-Scenes Friction: There are long-standing rumors that producers weren't thrilled with her "fit." Some insiders claimed they thought she looked too young next to Waterston. Others said they were constantly complaining about her hair.
Whatever the reason, it felt like a "punishment" exit to some viewers. It’s hard to watch that scene and not feel like the writers were being unnecessarily cruel to the character.
The Legacy of the Character
The funny thing about Alexandra Borgia Law and Order history is that she’s appreciated much more now in reruns than she was at the time. When you binge the show, her "timid" nature—as some called it—actually comes across as a realistic portrayal of a junior ADA who respects the hierarchy.
She didn't always argue with McCoy. She did her job.
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Parisse actually had a "family connection" to the show, too. Her brother, Louis Cancelmi, is an actor who is married to Sam Waterston’s daughter, Elisabeth. It makes those scenes where McCoy is grieving for Borgia feel just a little bit more personal when you know they were essentially family in real life.
What You Should Do Next
If you’re feeling nostalgic or just want to see what all the fuss is about, you need to watch a specific three-episode arc to get the full Borgia experience.
- Watch "Fluency" (Season 15, Episode 14): This is her first appearance. It’s a great look at how she fits into the team initially.
- Watch "Deep Vote" (Season 16, Episode 21): You see her doing the actual legwork and dealing with the political pressure that often defined her tenure.
- Watch "Invaders" (Season 16, Episode 22): The finale. Be warned, it’s a tough watch, but it’s essential for understanding why fans still talk about her 20 years later.
For those tracking the careers of the cast, Annie Parisse didn't let the brutal exit slow her down. She went on to have a massive career in theater and shows like The Following and Friends from College. She’s doing just fine, even if Alexandra Borgia didn't make it out of that trunk.
If you’re watching the newer seasons of the Law & Order revival, you'll notice the tone is much more sanitized. They don't take risks like "Invaders" anymore. For better or worse, Borgia’s end remains the high-water mark for just how dark the show was willing to go when it felt its back was against the wall.
Actionable Insight: If you are a fan of Annie Parisse's work but found her Law & Order character too restrained, check out her role as FBI Specialist Debra Parker in The Following. It shows the grit and command that the Law & Order writers never quite let her display before they wrote her off.