Share and Follow
During a Today interview, Brent Antonello was asked if Detective Whelan’s tendency for hot-head responses might get him into trouble while he’s undercover.
“When I was pitched the character,” Antonello said, “I remember them saying — and it was a big thing too — that how Stabler sees a little bit of himself in Whelan.”
That idea turned out to be a big focal point for Whelan’s character. Stabler isn’t just someone Whelan admires; Stabler is his hero and his guideline for what he should be doing. Antonello goes on to say that Whelan’s willing to take on the undercover job because he wants Stabler to recognize his capability.
Read Related Also: SXSW 2023 Film and TV Round Up: Recapping the Best of the Fest
“He looks at Stabler as his icon, his go-to, his role model,” Antonello said. “So him taking this job, it isn’t just really wanting to solve the case, but it’s wanting to prove to Stabler and the crew that he can do this.”
To be fair to Whelan, he’s still new to the task force. As the new guy, he’s got a lot to prove to everyone who he works with; although, his focus definitely seems Stabler-centric. Obviously, he wants all of his colleagues to respect him and accept him into their ranks, but because of how much he idolizes Stabler, his approval and recognition means the most to him.
