By Mike Larkin
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It is the story that divided a nation.
And now Law & Order: Special Victims Unit is to examine the Trayvon Martin case in a forthcoming story that was being filmed in New York on Tuesday.
Cybill Shepherd is playing a vigilante-like character loosely based on Florida neighborhood watch coordinator George Zimmerman, who shot and killed the teenager during a confrontation in February 2012.
Leaving court: Cybil Shepherd playing a character based on George Zimmerman in New York on Tuesday
The one-time sitcom favourite was seen at the Supreme Court in Manhattan filming a scene for an episode of the NBC crime drama.
Arrested Development star Jeffrey Tambor is to play the 63-year-old's lawyer and was also filming on location.
Shepherd’s character seems to have killed a black teen named Mehcad, with extras portraying protesters carrying placards bearing the face of the character outside.
Taking direction: She seemed to be listening to instructions while co-star Jeffrey Tambor was behind her
In a brolly good mood: The actress grinned at fans as she enjoyed a break from shooting
Fair cop: Show stars Raul Esparza and Mariska Hargitay were both in full costume as filming commenced
Protester: An extra held a sign bearing the image of the character based on Trayvon Martin for the show
In the scene, as Shepherd and her legal team try to leave the court, they’re swarmed by reporters and confronted by angry protestors waving signs similar to the ones seen at rallies held in honour of Trayvon Martin.
Until it gets nearer the time the episode airs in October, fuller details of the plotline will remain unclear.
It is a return to Shepherd's gritty roots, as before she became a comedy favourite in sitcoms Moonlighting and Cybill, she played the object of Robert De Niro's affection in violent vigilante movie Taxi Driver in 1976.
Sign of the times: Another protestor extra held a sign showing the name Mehcad
Family: These actors appeared to be playing relatives of the teenager killed in the story
Investigating: Show star Ice-T was having a conversation with Richard Belzer, who appeared to be examining a Trayvon Martin document
Zimmerman was acquitted last month of second-degree murder and manslaughter for the 2012 killing of the unarmed 17-year-old Martin in Sanford, Florida.
While the fact he shot and killed the teenager was beyond doubt, the prosecution failed to disprove his claim he had acted in self-defence.
Taking a break: Mariska was spotted sitting down and checking her phone as she waited for the action to start
On the lookout: And she later seemed to be seeking out a crew member to get more details about what was next on the shooting agenda
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