'Blue' Clues

The cast changes never seem to stop on ''NYPD Blue.'' Not only are series regulars Kim Delaney (Det. Diane Russell) and James McDaniel (Lieut. Arthur Fancy) leaving ABC's Emmy winning drama (Tuesdays, 10 p.m.) this year, two more cast members are joining the ensemble. Not that entrances and exits seem to bother audiences: It's still a Top 20 show. Last week, Charlotte Ross (Showtime's ''Beggars and Choosers'') joined the squad as Detective Connie McDowell, Russell's new partner. And on April 3, Esai Morales makes his entrance as Tony Rodriguez, a hotshot lieutenant who replaces a newly promoted Captain Fancy.

EW.com talked to the rookies about their characters, working with Emmy winner Dennis Franz, and the inevitability of on screen love scenes.

What kind of cops are these guys?
Morales I play a smart, educated lieutenant who's not to be messed with -- someone not unlike Steven Bochco, who himself started off as a young boss. I'm a former undercover narcotics agent who likes to get my hands dirty in the investigations, which sort of pisses Sipowicz off.
Ross She's younger and on the tougher, more sarcastic side than Russell. I've had to prove myself a little more, because I'm this petite blonde in an all boys club.

Who do you tick off first?
Morales After only two or three episodes I'm already having a confrontation with Sipowicz. He doesn't like the fact that I do some of the interviews and lets me know it. It gets pretty heated.
Ross I think I'm just easing my way into becoming a part of the precinct's everyday cases. I think in the beginning, Gordy (Greg Medavoy) thinks I must be an informant and doesn't trust me. I do a really intense sexual assault case with Henry (Baldwin Jones) and Gordy and prove I'm worthy to join the squad. Then gradually I start being buddy buddy with the crew.

How concerned are you about comparisons with the actors you're replacing?
Morales I don't think people will confuse us. James felt it was time to move on to roles where he could fully utilize his considerable talent. He was someone who did not want to waste himself feeling less than pivotal. As for me, given a lot or a little, I'm going to make this character complete. I think viewers will come to see that my character spices things up.
Ross Other than the fact that Andrea Thompson (Det. Kirkendall) and I are both blond, we're not similar at all. And besides, viewers aren't going to have much time to compare us, because Kim's leaving this season. Soon I'll be the only woman around!

How intimidating is it to work with Franz, a four time Emmy winner?
Morales You couldn't ask for a better person to act with. He's such a mensch, you WISH he had an attitude. I play his boss, so it wouldn't exactly work to be intimidated by him.
Ross Before you meet someone like Dennis, it's hard not to get nervous. But someone on the set told me, ''He hasn't changed one bit since 'Hill Street Blues.''' And I believe that. There is no ego whatsoever; we're never waiting on the set for Dennis to arrive. He's the most humble, professional ensemble player, even though he's obviously the heart of the show.

How are your New York accents coming along?
Morales I'm Brooklyn born and Manhattan raised, so I'm the real thing. But actually I hate the whole ''Noo Yawk Tawk.'' You have to get rid of it as an actor or you'll get regionalized. So it's weird to have to do it now.
RossThank God I played an Irish Catholic New Yorker in ''Trinity,'' so I have a good idea of the Hell's Kitchen area and how my character would talk.

Are you ready to get naked for your ''Blue'' close up?
Morales It's inevitable, isn't it? I'm looking forward to putting the sock on for those scenes. Of course, when I'm in my best shape it's when I'm home, not at the crafts service table like I am these days, so I'm not sure how I will look.
Ross You're talking to someone whose first scene in a TV show (''Trinity'') was me in a G-string. I've been doing this long enough to know that I will be having sex with someone -- especially since there's not exactly 55 females on this show.

Any hints on who in the precinct you'll be hooking up with?
Ross Actually, one of my first lines to Kim when Esai shows up is: ''How about that new lieutenant? Not too hard on the eyes, huh? Probably not a good idea to get involved with the lieutenant, though.'' So, you never know. When I heard about Mark-Paul Gosselaar joining the cast, I thought: Hmmm, is this the guy I'll be having sex with?

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