While S. Epatha Merkerson's portrayal of Van Buren was certainly impactful within the "Law & Order" fictional universe, the unforgettable character made just as great an impact in the real world, as well. In a 2015 interview with "The Today Show" (via E! Online), she pointed out how, due to her longevity on the series, "kids" in their thirties were coming up to her talking about watching her on TV back in college.
However, it seems that a huge aspect of why Merkerson enjoyed her role, as revealed in a 2009 panel interview at the Paley Center back when "Law & Order" was still on the air, was that the showrunners allowed her to voice her opinion. Sometimes, it would lead to arguments, which Merkerson says she appreciated because it let her know that her bosses cared about her input. "Sometimes, I win. Most times, I lose — but sometimes I win. Really, the point is that I come from a specific background. I'm Black, I'm female and I'm in my 50s. There's no one who sits at our table who sits from my perspective," Merkerson said.
She also valued how "integral" her role on the series was, both onscreen and off. "When I see my argument on screen, it's an amazing feeling to know that you're part of something."
