Jesse L. Martin joins 'Smash' cast Jesse L. Martin arrives for the Tribeca Film Festival Premiere of "Puncture" at the SVA Theater in New York on April 21, 2011. 17 (UPI) -- Jesse L. Martin is to star in a six-episode arc in Season 2 of the Broadway-themed, musical drama series "Smash," NBC said. Best known for his work on TV's "Law & Order," Martin was one of the original cast members of the Tony Award-winning Broadway musical "Rent." Martin will play Scott Welker, the artistic director of the Manhattan Theatre Workshop on "Smash." His "story crosses with virtually every cast member," the network said in a synopsis. Starring Debra Messing, Anjelica Huston, Jack Davenport, Christian Borle, Katharine McPhee, Megan Hilty and Jeremy Jordan, the show is set to return to NBC mid-season.