Andre Braugher says he's glad to back in the TV legal arena with a guest appearance on "Law & Order: Special Victims Unit."

Braugher played a police detective on the 1990s series "Homicide: Life on the Street" and recently starred as a car lot manager on TNT's "Men of a Certain Age." On Wednesday night's episode of the NBC drama, Braugher plays a powerful defense attorney whose client is accused of raping a music student.

The actor said Wednesday that he enjoyed his lighter role on "Men of a Certain Age," but he relishes "meaty" dramatic parts. On "Special Victims Unit," Braugher said, his character gives prosecutors and New York police "a run for their money" as he defends his impoverished client.

The episode airs 10 p.m. EST on NBC.