Uncovering Sarah Hyland's Multi-Faceted Journey in the Law and Order Universe

Please be aware that this article discusses childhood sexual abuse and substance use disorder.

While Sarah Hyland is well-known for her portrayal of Jennifer Banks in Law & Order: SVU, she has actually played four different roles across the Law & Order universe. Created by executive producer Dick Wolf, Law & Order presents a fictionalized portrayal of the American criminal justice system. The franchise comprises the original show and several spinoff series. A notable aspect of the franchise is the regular inclusion of aspiring actors as guest stars.

Many Law & Order guest stars went on to have major roles later in their acting career, including Sarah Hyland. However, Hyland's journey in the entertainment industry began at the age of seven and she is predominantly recognized for her portrayal of Haley Dunphy in Modern Family. While the majority of Hyland's performances fall within the comedy or romantic comedy genre, her appearances in the Law & Order universe exemplify her ability to tackle serious and dramatic roles.

Lily Ramsey in Law & Order: SVU

Sarah Hyland made her debut in the Law & Order universe in SVU's third season, episode 1, titled "Repression." Playing the character Lily Ramsey, she portrays a girl whose sister Megan accuses their father of sexually molesting all the children in the family. Despite only appearing on screen for approximately three minutes, Hyland's performance lingers in the viewer's memory. Her delivery of the line, "My dad loves me," effectively captures the bewildering emotions experienced by a child like Lily in such a distressing situation.

Though she was only ten years old when the episode aired on NBC, Hyland flawlessly portrayed a seven-year-old child. Lily, characterized by her curiosity and hesitancy during the conversation, struggled to maintain her attention span, often returning to her coloring. Additionally, the actress effectively conveyed an aura of innocence and sincerity, hinting at the father's probable innocence. Lastly, Lily's interaction with Detective Benson serves to reinforce the unwavering patience and compassion that the main characters of Law & Order extend to potential young victims of violent crimes.

Kristine McLean In Law & Order

Sarah Hyland is credited as portraying Kristine McLean in the second episode of the fifteenth season of Law & Order titled "The Dead Wives Club." However, there is minimal information available about her role as she does not make an appearance in the episode that was released. It appears that her scene was deleted during the post-production process. Considering the character's name and the McLean family's storyline in this particular episode, it can be assumed that she was meant to be the daughter of Donna and Ed McLean. Given the mention of Collette's twins, it is unlikely that Kristine McLean would not be acknowledged if she were their sibling.

Brianne Colby In Law & Order: Trial By Jury

Sarah Hyland's portrayal of Brianne Colby in the spinoff show Law & Order: Trial By Jury showcased her exceptional acting abilities. In the episode titled "Vigilante," Hyland's character becomes the target of a child predator, leading to her father being accused of the predator's murder. As the judicial process unfolds, Brianne Colby must testify about the traumatic encounter. Despite her young age of fourteen during this performance, Hyland delivers one of her most impressive acting displays, capturing the essence of the character through her skilled use of inflection and physicality.

While taking the stand, Brianne Colby endeavors to maintain her composure, yet her face reflects a myriad of emotions including nervousness, fear, and sorrow. Her tearful admission, "he scared me," tugs at the heartstrings, leaving a lasting impact. Subtle movements such as tensing her muscles, subtly shaking her head, and adjusting her body posture enhance the authenticity of the scene. These seemingly minor details elevate Hyland's performance from being merely good to truly outstanding in Law & Order: Trial By Jury.

Jennifer Banks in Law & Order: SVU

In the Law & Order: SVU episode titled "Hothouse" from season 10, actress Sarah Hyland portrays Jennifer Banks, a student at a prep school who becomes a suspect in the murder of her roommate, Elsa Lychkoff. Jennifer harbors jealousy towards Elsa, who consistently outperforms her academically. When Jennifer is brought into an interrogation room, her mental state deteriorates due to a combination of medication and sleep deprivation, leading to psychosis. In the midst of her breakdown, Jennifer confesses to following and engaging in a physical altercation with Elsa, ultimately pushing her into a river. This powerful confession scene stands as one of Sarah Hyland's most notable performances in the Law & Order franchise, showcasing her exceptional talent in dramatic acting.

During the confession scene in Law & Order: SVU, Hyland skillfully employs pressured speech and incessant movement to convey Jennifer's psychotic condition, a revelation that Detective Benson only becomes aware of later in the episode. With each passing moment, Jennifer's agitation intensifies, culminating in a gripping climax where she repeatedly strikes the metal screen on the window while describing her act of forcefully slamming Elsa's head against a railing. Up to this point, the scene already demonstrates Hyland's remarkable acting prowess, but it is her subtle laugh a second later that truly elevates the performance to another level.

In the first courtroom scene of the episode, Jennifer's behavior is restless, constantly tapping her finger on the desk and unable to maintain steady eye contact. She experiences a sudden and unpredictable outburst, raising her voice, grabbing her hair, and even standing on the table. Hyland's portrayal of this character is so captivating that it engrosses the viewer. When Detective Benson later speaks to Jennifer in her jail cell, she becomes more sympathetic, displaying signs of a stimulant use disorder. Hyland effectively captures the desperation and instability of someone going through withdrawal without medical supervision, a challenging accomplishment for any actor. It comes as no surprise that Hyland's performance in this episode of Law & Order gained significant attention years later.