Editing Law & Order (section)

==Casting and characters==
{{main|List of Law & Order characters{{!}}List of ''Law & Order'' characters}}
{{:List of Law & Order characters}}
{{reflist|group=O}}
{{Multiple image
| width             = 300
| direction         = vertical
| header            = Cast of ''Law & Order''
| image1            = Law Order Season One cast.jpg
| caption1          = Season 1 (1990–91), ''from left'': [[George Dzundza]], [[Michael Moriarty]], [[Chris Noth]]  and [[Richard Brooks (actor)|Richard Brooks]]
| image2            = Law Order season two cast.jpg
| caption2          = Season 2 (1991–92), ''from left'': [[Paul Sorvino]], Moriarty, Noth and Brooks (This was also initially the cast of season 3, until Sorvino was replaced by [[Jerry Orbach]] mid-way through the season.)
| image3            = Law Order season six cast.jpg
| caption3          = Season 6 (1995–96), ''from left'': [[Benjamin Bratt]], [[Sam Waterston]], [[Jerry Orbach]] and [[Jill Hennessy]] (This was the first cast line-up to not feature any of the originals, with the exception of [[Steven Hill]].)
| image4            = Law Order season seven.jpg
| caption4          = Seasons 7 & 8 (1996–98), ''from left'': Bratt, Orbach, Waterston and [[Carey Lowell]]
| image5            = 
| caption5          = Season 10 (1999–2000), ''from left'': [[Angie Harmon]], Orbach, Waterston and [[Jesse L. Martin]]
| image6            = 
| caption6          = Season 15 (2004), ''from left'': [[Michael Imperioli]], Waterston, [[Dennis Farina]], and [[Annie Parisse]]. (Jesse L. Martin was absent from the last four episodes of the 15th season. He left the show temporarily to work on [[Rent (film)|Rent]]. His character, Detective Ed Green, was shot in the line of duty. For those four episodes, Martin was replaced by Michael Imperioli as Detective Nick Falco.)
| image7            = 
| caption7          = Season 21 (2022), ''from left'': [[Jeffrey Donovan]], [[Camryn Manheim]], [[Anthony Anderson]], Sam Waterston, [[Odelya Halevi]], [[Hugh Dancy]]
}}

===Pilot===
For the 1988 pilot, [[George Dzundza]] and [[Chris Noth]] were cast as the original detectives, Sergeant [[Max Greevey]] and Detective [[Mike Logan (Law & Order)|Mike Logan]].<ref name="Courrier and Green 25">Courrier and Green (1999), p.&nbsp;25</ref> The producers felt that Dzundza would be a perfect senior police officer as he was someone the producers felt they could see themselves riding along with in a police cruiser.{{sfn| Courrier | Green |1999|pp=110-111}} Noth and [[Michael Madsen]] were candidates for the role of Logan. Madsen initially was considered the perfect choice for the role, but, in a final reading, it was felt that Madsen's acting mannerisms were repetitive, and Noth received the role instead.{{sfn| Courrier | Green |1999|pp=25-26}} Rounding out the police cast, [[Dann Florek]] was cast as Captain [[Donald Cragen]].{{sfn| Courrier | Green |1999|p=25}}

On the prosecutor's side, [[Michael Moriarty]] was Dick Wolf's choice to play Executive Assistant District Attorney [[Benjamin Stone (Law & Order character)|Benjamin "Ben" Stone]]. The network, however, preferred [[James Naughton]], but, in the end, Wolf's choice would prevail, and Moriarty received the role.{{sfn| Courrier | Green |1999|p=25}} As his A.D.A., [[Richard Brooks (actor)|Richard Brooks]] and [[Eriq La Salle]] were being considered for the role of [[Paul Robinette]]. The network favored La Salle but, once again, the producers' choice prevailed, and Brooks received the role.<ref name="Courrier and Green 26">Courrier and Green (1999), pp&nbsp;26</ref> As their boss, [[Roy Thinnes]] was cast as District Attorney Alfred Wentworth.{{sfn| Courrier | Green |1999|p=25}}

===Seasons 1–3===
Nearly two years passed between the pilot and production of the series. The producers held options on Dzundza, Noth, Moriarty and Brooks. Each was paid holding money for the additional year and brought back. Florek also returned. Thinnes, however, was starring in ''[[Dark Shadows (1991 TV series)|Dark Shadows]]'' and declined to return.<ref>Thinnes, though not reprising the Alfred Wentworth character from the 1988 pilot production, appeared in the 1997 episode "[[Law & Order season 7#ep157|Terminal]]" and the 1999 episode "[[Law & Order season 9#ep192|Ramparts]]".</ref> In his place, the producers tapped [[Steven Hill]] to portray District Attorney [[Adam Schiff (Law & Order)|Adam Schiff]],<ref name="Courrier and Green 26" /> a character loosely based on real life [[New York County District Attorney]] [[Robert Morgenthau]]. Hill brought prestige and experience to the show, and as such, the producers allowed Hill to give insight on the direction he thought the character should go.{{sfn|Courrier | Green |1999 | pp = 131-132}}

===Seasons 4–7===
By the end of season 3, NBC executives still felt the show did not have enough female characters. On the orders of then network president [[Warren Littlefield]], new female characters had to be added to the cast or the show would face possible cancellation on its relegated Friday nighttime slot. Wolf realized that, since there were only six characters on the show, someone had to be dismissed. He chose to dismiss Florek and Brooks from the regular roster, and later said it was the hardest two phone calls he had ever made. Though producers initially claimed the firings (especially that of Brooks who was reported as not getting along with Moriarty) were for other reasons, Wolf confirmed that the firings were on the orders of Littlefield.{{sfn|Courrier | Green |1999 | pages= 33-34}}

To replace Florek, [[S. Epatha Merkerson]] was cast as new squad leader Lieutenant [[Anita Van Buren]]. (Merkerson had previously guest starred as a mother of a gunshot victim in the season 1 episode "Mushrooms".){{sfn|Courrier | Green |1999 | pages= 115-117}} To replace Brooks, [[Jill Hennessy]] was cast as Assistant District Attorney [[Claire Kincaid]]. Though no initial explanation was given on the show for the departures of Florek's or Brooks's characters, they would both later return in guest appearances, with Captain Cragen having been reassigned to the Internal Affairs Bureau and A.D.A. Robinette having become a defense attorney. Florek also returned to direct a few episodes, and his character was eventually added to the cast of ''[[Law & Order: Special Victims Unit]]''.{{sfn|Courrier | Green |1999 | pages= 128-131}}

Meanwhile, Moriarty's behavior both on and off the set became problematic for Wolf. After a public statement in which Moriarty called Attorney General [[Janet Reno]] a "[[psychopath]]ic [[Nazi]]" for her efforts to censor television violence, Moriarty engaged in a verbal confrontation with Reno at a dinner in Washington, D.C. Wolf asked Moriarty to tone down his comments, and Moriarty responded by quitting the show the next week. The final storyline for Ben Stone involves his resignation over guilt after a woman he compelled to testify against a Russian mobster was murdered by his cohorts. To replace Moriarty, [[Sam Waterston]] was Wolf's first choice for the role of Executive Assistant District Attorney [[Jack McCoy|John James "Jack" McCoy Jr.]]; Waterston's character was markedly different from Moriarty's in that Jack McCoy was conceived as more emotionally stable and having more sex appeal.{{sfn|Courrier | Green |1999 | pages= 35-37}}

Wolf dismissed Noth when his contract expired at the end of season 5, because he felt that Lennie Briscoe and Mike Logan had become too similar to each other, and the writers were having difficulty in writing their dialogue together. Furthermore, Noth had been disgruntled with the show since the dismissals of Florek and Brooks, and remained embittered against Wolf, who he felt was not a friend to his actors. The final storyline for Detective Logan involved his banishment to work on [[Staten Island]] in a [[domestic violence]] crimes unit as punishment for punching a city council member who had orchestrated the murder of a gay colleague and had managed to get acquitted of the charges. (The made-for-television film ''[[Exiled: A Law & Order Movie]]'', in which Noth starred, centers on Logan's attempt to get back into the department's good graces.) Noth was replaced by [[Benjamin Bratt]] as Detective [[Rey Curtis|Reynaldo "Rey" Curtis]], who was hired in an attempt to find an actor even sexier than Noth to join the cast.{{sfn|Courrier | Green |1999 | pages= 34-35}}

Hennessy chose not to renew her three-year contract at the end of season 6 to pursue other projects, and Claire Kincaid was written off as being killed in a drunk driving crash.{{sfn|Courrier | Green |1999 | page= 130}} She was replaced by [[Carey Lowell]] as Assistant District Attorney [[Jamie Ross (Law & Order)|Jamie Ross]]. Lowell remained with the show until the end of season 8, when she left to spend more time with her daughter. (Jamie Ross was written off as leaving the D.A.'s office for similar reasons.){{sfn|Courrier | Green |1999 | pages= 134-135}} Lowell (who later returned for a couple of guest appearances) was replaced by [[Angie Harmon]] as Assistant District Attorney [[Abbie Carmichael|Abigail "Abbie" Carmichael]], who was conceived as being much louder and outspoken than any of her predecessors. Harmon auditioned with 85 other women, including [[Vanessa L. Williams|Vanessa Williams]], for the role, and was picked after Wolf heard her Texas accent.{{sfn|Courrier | Green |1999 | pages= 333-335}}

===Seasons 8–14===
Beginning in season 8 (1997),<ref>{{#invoke:cite|web| url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/life/movies/2014/10/08/jk-simmons-whiplash-movie/16897907/ | last=Truitt | first=Brian | title=J.K. Simmons makes Oscar push with jazzy role | publisher=Gannett | location=McLean VA | issn=0734-7456 | work=USA Today | date=October 8, 2014 | access-date=May 24, 2022 | archive-date=May 25, 2022 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220525022206/https://www.usatoday.com/story/life/movies/2014/10/08/jk-simmons-whiplash-movie/16897907/ | url-status=live }}</ref> [[J. K. Simmons]] had the recurring role of [[Emil Skoda (Law & Order)|Dr. Emil Skoda]], a psychiatrist who worked with the Police Department. He appeared in 41 episodes until 2004. He then reappeared for three episodes in season 20.

Bratt left the series at the end of season 9, stating it was an amicable departure and he expected to eventually return for guest appearances. (He ultimately returned for the season 20 episode "Fed".) Detective Curtis was written off as leaving the force in order to take care of his wife, who was suffering from [[multiple sclerosis]], in her final days.<ref name="Bratt departure">{{#invoke:cite|news|last=Huff|first=Richard|date=April 30, 1999|url=https://www.nydailynews.com/archives/entertainment/bratt-leaving-law-order-ally-doc-joining-force-article-1.822180|title=Bratt Leaving 'Law & Order'; 'Ally' Doc Joining Force|work=Daily News|location=New York|access-date=December 20, 2009|archive-date=June 1, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220601213053/https://www.nydailynews.com/archives/entertainment/bratt-leaving-law-order-ally-doc-joining-force-article-1.822180|url-status=live}}</ref> He was replaced by [[Jesse L. Martin]] as Detective [[Ed Green (Law & Order)|Ed Green]], who was conceived of as more of a loose cannon in the mold of Noth's Logan than Bratt's Curtis was.{{sfn|Courrier | Green |1999 | pages = 331–332}} (Briscoe was described as being a recovering alcoholic, as Cragen had been. Green was described as being a recovering compulsive gambler.) In 2000, Steven Hill announced he was leaving the series after season 10. Hill, who was the last remaining member of the original cast, said his departure was mutual with the producers. He was replaced by [[Dianne Wiest]] as Interim District Attorney [[Nora Lewin]], and Adam Schiff was written out off-screen as departing to work with Jewish charities and human-rights organizations in Europe.<ref name="Hill departure">{{#invoke:cite|news|date=Fall 2000|url=http://www.podengo.com/apocrypha/fall00/hill.html|title=Steven Hill: Hollywood's Most Talented Curmudgeon|work=Apocrypha|access-date=March 23, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150319232557/http://www.podengo.com/apocrypha/fall00/hill.html|archive-date=March 19, 2015|url-status=live|df=mdy-all}}</ref>

The following year, Harmon left the show after three seasons (with Abbie Carmichael written off as being called on to serve the U.S. Attorney's office) and was replaced by [[Elisabeth Röhm]] as Assistant District Attorney [[Serena Southerlyn]].<ref name="Harmon departure">{{#invoke:cite|news|last=Shister|first=Gail|date= April 23, 2001|url=http://www.accessmylibrary.com/coms2/summary_0286-5884955_ITM|title='Law & Order' gets its first blonde as Rohm joins the cast.|publisher=Knight Ridder/Tribune News Service|access-date=December 20, 2009}}</ref> The year after that, Wiest left the show after two seasons and was replaced by retiring U.S. Senator [[Fred Thompson]] as District Attorney [[Arthur Branch]], whose character was conceived of as being much more right-leaning than his predecessors in the D.A.'s office, and was a direct reaction to the [[September 11 attacks]].<ref name="Wiest departure">{{#invoke:cite|news|date=August 29, 2002|url=https://www.usatoday.com/life/television/news/2002-08-29-law-order-thompson_x.htm|title=Sen. Fred Thompson to join the case of 'Law & Order'| agency = Associated Press |location = McLean VA   |publisher = Gannett  |issn = 0734-7456 | work=USA Today|access-date=December 20, 2009}}</ref> No mention was made on the show of what happened to Nora Lewin, though producers said her character was only supposed to be an interim D.A.

===Seasons 15 and 16===
After 12 years on ''Law & Order'', Orbach announced in March 2004 that he was leaving the show at the end of season 14 for the spin-off ''[[Law & Order: Trial by Jury]]''. Lennie Briscoe was written off as retiring from the NYPD and later taking a position as an investigator for the D.A.'s office. He was replaced at the 27th Precinct by Detective [[Joe Fontana (Law & Order)|Joe Fontana]], played by [[Dennis Farina]].<ref name="Orbach departure" /> At the time, Orbach would not state the reason for his departure,<ref name="Orbach departure">{{#invoke:cite|news|last=Starr|first=Michael|date=May 18, 2004|url=http://www.foxnews.com/story/2004/05/18/jerry-orbach-signs-off-after-12-years-on-law-order.html|title=Jerry Orbach Signs Off After 12 Years on 'Law & Order'|publisher=Fox News|access-date=February 22, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111203072834/http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,120231,00.html|archive-date=December 3, 2011|url-status=dead|df=mdy-all}}</ref> but it was eventually revealed that he had been battling [[prostate cancer]] (for over 10 years) and that his role on ''Trial by Jury'' was designed to be less taxing on him than his role on the original series was. However, Orbach died from his cancer on December 28, 2004, and was featured in only the first two episodes of ''Trial by Jury.'' (His character was subsequently written off as having also died off-screen, though this was not revealed on the original series until the season 18 episode "Burn Card".)<ref name="Orbach death">{{#invoke:cite|news|last=Brantley|first=Ben|author2=Severo, Richard|date=December 29, 2004|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2004/12/29/arts/29cnd-orba.html|title=Jerry Orbach, Star of 'Law & Order,' Dies at 69|work=The New York Times|access-date=December 20, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130204085153/http://www.nytimes.com/2004/12/29/arts/29cnd-orba.html|archive-date=February 4, 2013|url-status=live|df=mdy-all}}</ref>

In Season 15, Röhm left the show mid-season in January 2005. Röhm's final scene on the show, in the episode "Ain't No Love", sparked controversy within the fanbase, as A.D.A. Southerlyn asked Arthur Branch if she was being fired because she was a lesbian, a fact the scripts had never hinted at until then.<ref name="Martin exit">{{#invoke:cite|news|last=Roush |first=Matt |date=April 24, 2008 |url=https://ew.com/article/2008/04/24/martin-goes-out |title='Law & Order' recap: Ed Green turns in his badge |work=TV Guide |access-date=March 23, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150402151858/http://www.ew.com/article/2008/04/24/martin-goes-out |archive-date=April 2, 2015 |url-status=live |df=mdy-all }}</ref> Wolf said Röhm's departure was unexpected. For a few seasons, Southerlyn had often argued opposing points to McCoy and Branch, the latter of whom thought she would be better as a defender rather than a prosecutor. Southerlyn's replacement was [[Annie Parisse]] as Assistant District Attorney [[Alexandra Borgia]].

Martin left the show midseason to film ''[[Rent (film)|Rent]].'' Ed Green was temporarily written off as being shot in the line of duty and was replaced during his recovery by Detective Nick Falco, played by [[Michael Imperioli]], who had previously guest-starred as a murder suspect in the season 6 episode "Atonement".<ref name="Parisse-Imperioli">{{#invoke:cite|news|last=Levin|first=Gary|date=December 6, 2004|url=https://www.usatoday.com/life/television/news/2004-12-06-lno-inside_x.htm?csp=34|title='Law & Order' stays orderly| publisher= Gannett | location = McLean VA|issn = 0734-7456  |work=   USA Today|access-date=December 20, 2009}}</ref> Parisse left the series at the end of season 16 (with A.D.A. Borgia written off as being murdered), and Farina shortly afterward announced that he was leaving the show to pursue other projects. (Detective Fontana was written off as having retired off-screen.)<ref name="Parisse-Farina">{{#invoke:cite|news|last=Marinovich |first=Milosh |date=May 31, 2006 |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/law-order-cast-shakeup/ |title='Law & Order' Cast Shakeup |publisher=CBS News |access-date=February 22, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101111122018/http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2006/05/31/entertainment/main1671381.shtml |archive-date=November 11, 2010 |url-status=live |df=mdy-all }}</ref>

===Seasons 17–20===
By this point, NBC executives believed the series was beginning to show its age, as the ratings had been declining since Orbach's departure.<ref name="Govich-de la Garza" /> Farina had never been popular with fans when he replaced Orbach, and it was felt that the cast just did not seem to mesh well together anymore.<ref name="Martin exit" /> In an effort to revitalize the show, Wolf replaced Parisse with [[Alana de la Garza]] as Assistant District Attorney [[Connie Rubirosa|Consuela "Connie" Rubirosa]], while Martin's Green was promoted to senior detective and partnered with Detective Nina Cassady, played by [[Milena Govich]], who had worked with Wolf on the short-lived series ''[[Conviction (2006 TV series)|Conviction]]'' and served as the show's first female detective of the main cast.<ref name="Govich-de la Garza">{{#invoke:cite|news|last=Steinberg|first=Jacques|date=July 16, 2006|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2006/07/16/arts/television/16stei.html|title='Law & Order' Meets the Law of Supply and Demand|work=The New York Times|access-date=December 20, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130204085202/http://www.nytimes.com/2006/07/16/arts/television/16stei.html|archive-date=February 4, 2013|url-status=live|df=mdy-all}}</ref> She also briefly appeared as a bartender in the season 16 episode titled "Flaw".

However, Govich proved to be even more unpopular with fans than her predecessor was and left the show after one season with the explanation being that Detective Cassady's assignment to the precinct had been temporary and had been transferred out. She was replaced by [[Jeremy Sisto]], who had previously guest starred as a defense attorney in the season 17 episode "The Family Hour", as Detective [[Cyrus Lupo]].<ref name="Cheers Lupo">{{#invoke:cite|news|last=Fretts|first=Bruce|date=January 2, 2008|url=https://tvguide.com/cheers-jeers/Cheers-Sisto-Lays-8673.aspx|title=Cheers: Sisto Lays Down the Law|work=TV Guide|access-date=December 20, 2009|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090302143240/http://www.tvguide.com/cheers-jeers/Cheers-Sisto-Lays-8673.aspx|archive-date=March 2, 2009|df=mdy-all}}</ref> Around the same time, Thompson announced he would leave the show to seek the [[2008 Republican Party presidential primaries|2008 Republican presidential nomination]]. (No explanation was given within the show regarding Arthur Branch's off-screen departure.) Waterston's character was promoted to Interim District Attorney (later made full District Attorney in season 20) and his former position was filled in by Executive Assistant District Attorney [[Michael Cutter]], played by [[Linus Roache]].<ref name="Govich-Thompson">{{#invoke:cite|news|last=Cooper|first=Gael Fashingbauer|date=July 18, 2007|url=http://testpattern.msnbc.msn.com/_news/2007/07/18/4356341-law-order-shows-get-new-blood|title='Law & Order' Shows Get New Blood|publisher=msnbc.com|access-date=December 20, 2009|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120306173548/http://testpattern.msnbc.msn.com/_news/2007/07/18/4356341-law-order-shows-get-new-blood|archive-date=March 6, 2012|df=mdy-all}}</ref><ref name="Ken Tucker 2008">{{cite magazine|first=Ken|last=Tucker|title=TV: Sam Waterston's bark keeps giving ''Law & Order'' its bite|magazine=[[Entertainment Weekly]] |issn = 1049-0434 | oclc = 21114137 |id={{ProQuest|219142095}} | publisher = Time Inc.|date=December 19, 2008|issue=1026|quote = What's going on here is a nicely overstated case of oedipal conflict. McCoy sees in Cutter his younger, more impetuous self, while Cutter sees an aging father figure he wants to vanquish by proving he's smarter and more daring than the old coot.  |page=49}}</ref>

Martin later announced that he would leave the show for the second and last time near the end of season 18 to pursue other endeavors, and Detective Green was written off as resigning from the force due to burnout. He was replaced by [[Anthony Anderson]] as Detective [[Kevin Bernard]].<ref name="Martin exit" /> In 2010, Merkerson announced that she would leave the show at the end of season 20, with Lieutenant Van Buren given a season-long story arc involving her battling [[cervical cancer]].<ref name="Merkerson exit">{{#invoke:cite|news|last=Itzkoff |first=Dave |date=April 2, 2010 |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2010/04/03/arts/television/03arts-SEPATHAMERKE_BRF.html |title=S. Epatha Merkerson to Leave 'Law & Order' |work=The New York Times |access-date=April 3, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100409154136/http://www.nytimes.com/2010/04/03/arts/television/03arts-SEPATHAMERKE_BRF.html |archive-date=April 9, 2010 |url-status=live |df=mdy-all }}</ref> However, the cancellation of the show rendered this moot.

===Season 21–present (Revival series)===
In ''Deadline Hollywood'', Nellie Andreeva announced the series was returning.<ref name=eid/> On November 1, 2021, [[Jeffrey Donovan]] was cast as a series regular to portray an NYPD detective, later revealed to be named Frank Cosgrove.<ref name = Jeffrey>{{#invoke:cite|web|url=https://deadline.com/2021/11/jeffrey-donovan-star-law-order-revival-nbc-1234865979/|title=Jeffrey Donovan To Star In 'Law & Order' Revival On NBC|last=Andreeva|first=Nellie|date=November 1, 2021|access-date=November 2, 2021|publisher=Penske Media Corporation|work=[[Deadline Hollywood]]|archive-date=November 1, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211101232200/https://deadline.com/2021/11/jeffrey-donovan-star-law-order-revival-nbc-1234865979/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:cite|web|url=https://variety.com/2021/tv/news/law-order-revival-nbc-cast-jeffrey-donovan-1235102207/|title='Law & Order' Revival at NBC Casts Jeffrey Donovan|last=Otterson|first=Joe|issn=0042-2738|oclc=810134503|date=November 1, 2021|access-date=November 2, 2021|work=Variety|archive-date=November 1, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211101220420/https://variety.com/2021/tv/news/law-order-revival-nbc-cast-jeffrey-donovan-1235102207/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:cite|web|url=https://tvline.com/2021/11/01/law-order-revival-casts-burn-notices-jeffrey-donovan-in-season-21/|title=Law & Order Revival Casts Burn Notice's Jeffrey Donovan in Season 21|last=Roots|first=Kimberly|date=November 1, 2021|access-date=November 2, 2021|work=[[TVLine]]|archive-date=November 1, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211101222924/https://tvline.com/2021/11/01/law-order-revival-casts-burn-notices-jeffrey-donovan-in-season-21/|url-status=live}}</ref> At that time it was also reported that [[Sam Waterston]] and [[Anthony Anderson]], who starred in earlier seasons of the series, and additional former cast members were also in talks to return. Waterston previously stated in 2015 that he would be open to returning.<ref>{{#invoke:cite|web|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-news/sam-waterston-law-order-revival-793869/  |   archive-url  = https://web.archive.org/web/20211105092747/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-news/sam-waterston-law-order-revival-793869/  | archive-date = November 5, 2021 | issn = 0018-3660|title=Sam Waterston on 'Law & Order' Revival: Let's "Break the Record"|last=Stanhope|first=Kate|date=May 6, 2015|access-date =November 2, 2021|work=[[The Hollywood Reporter]]}}</ref> Other previous cast members including [[S. Epatha Merkerson]], [[Jeremy Sisto]] and [[Alana de la Garza]] hold starring roles on ''[[Chicago Med]]'' or ''[[FBI (TV series)|FBI]]'', with both also being part of the franchise and Wolf Entertainment series.<ref name=eid>{{#invoke:cite|web|url=https://deadline.com/2021/09/law-order-revival-nbc-season-21-dick-wolf-rick-eid-1234846181/|title='Law & Order' Revived By NBC For Season 21 From Dick Wolf & Rick Eid|last=Andreeva|first=Nellie|date=September 28, 2021|accessdate=November 2, 2021|publisher=Penske Media Corporation|work=[[Deadline Hollywood]]|archive-date=November 2, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211102153919/https://deadline.com/2021/09/law-order-revival-nbc-season-21-dick-wolf-rick-eid-1234846181/|url-status=live}}</ref> On November 23, 2021, it was announced that [[Hugh Dancy]] had been cast as an assistant district attorney and that Anderson had signed a one-year deal to return as Detective [[Kevin Bernard]].<ref name = Hugh>{{#invoke:cite|web|url=https://deadline.com/2021/11/hugh-dancy-law-order-revival-anthony-anderson-reprise-role-kevin-bernard-1234879638/|title=Hugh Dancy Joins 'Law & Order', Anthony Anderson Set To Return For NBC Revival|date=November 23, 2021|last=Andreeva|first=Nellie|publisher=Penske Media Corporation|website=Deadline Hollywood|access-date=November 23, 2021|archive-date=November 23, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211123201441/https://deadline.com/2021/11/hugh-dancy-law-order-revival-anthony-anderson-reprise-role-kevin-bernard-1234879638/|url-status=live}}</ref> On December 10, 2021, it was revealed that [[Camryn Manheim]] had been cast as Lieutenant Kate Dixon, the successor to Merkerson's character, Lieutenant [[Anita Van Buren]]. Manheim portrayed minor characters in previous seasons of the series.<ref name="Andreeva">{{#invoke:cite|web|url=https://deadline.com/2021/12/camryn-manheim-cast-law-order-revival-nbc-season-21-1234888572/|title=Camryn Manheim Joins 'Law & Order' Revival On NBC|date=December 10, 2021|last=Andreeva|first=Nellie|publisher=Penske Media Corporation|work=[[Deadline Hollywood]]|access-date=December 10, 2021|archive-date=December 10, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211210180234/https://deadline.com/2021/12/camryn-manheim-cast-law-order-revival-nbc-season-21-1234888572/|url-status=live}}</ref> In December 2021, [[Odelya Halevi]] was added to the cast as Assistant District Attorney Samantha Maroun.<ref name="Deadline Hollywood">{{#invoke:cite|web|url=https://deadline.com/2021/12/law-order-odelya-halevi-cast-nbc-revival-1234891681/|title='Law & Order': Odelya Halevi Joins NBC Revival|date=December 15, 2021|last=Andreeva|first=Nellie|publisher=Penske Media Corporation|work=[[Deadline Hollywood]]|access-date=December 17, 2021|archive-date=December 17, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211217183351/https://deadline.com/2021/12/law-order-odelya-halevi-cast-nbc-revival-1234891681/|url-status=live}}</ref> A day later, Waterston was announced to have finalized a one-year deal to return as District Attorney [[Jack McCoy]].<ref name="Sam Waterston Returns To 'Law & Ord">{{#invoke:cite|web|url=https://deadline.com/2021/12/sam-waterston-law-order-revival-jack-mccoy-season-21-nbc-1234892316/|title=Sam Waterston Returns To 'Law & Order', Will Reprise Jack McCoy Role In NBC Revival|date=December 16, 2021|last=Andreeva|first=Nellie|publisher=Penske Media Corporation|work=[[Deadline Hollywood]]|access-date=December 16, 2021|archive-date=December 16, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211216192119/https://deadline.com/2021/12/sam-waterston-law-order-revival-jack-mccoy-season-21-nbc-1234892316/|url-status=live}}</ref>

On May 10, 2022, the series was renewed by NBC for a 22nd season.<ref name = Hailu>{{#invoke:cite|news|url=https://variety.com/2022/tv/news/law-and-order-organized-crime-renewed-1235262271/|title='Law & Order' and 'Law & Order: Organized Crime' Renewed for New Seasons at NBC|first=Selome|last=Hailu|newspaper=Variety|issn=0042-2738|oclc=810134503|date=May 10, 2022|access-date=May 12, 2022|archive-date=October 25, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221025001430/https://variety.com/2022/tv/news/law-and-order-organized-crime-renewed-1235262271/|url-status=live}}</ref> Later that same month, it was announced that Anderson would leave the series.<ref>{{#invoke:cite|news|url=https://www.thewrap.com/anthony-anderson-wont-return-for-law-order-season-22/|title=Anthony Anderson Won't Return for ''Law & Order'' Season 22|first=Brandon|last=Katz|publisher=The Wrap|date=May 27, 2022|accessdate=June 23, 2022|archive-date=September 29, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220929080656/https://www.thewrap.com/anthony-anderson-wont-return-for-law-order-season-22/|url-status=live}}</ref> On June 7, Waterston signed a new deal to return for the 22nd season, making him the longest-running cast member of the series.<ref>{{#invoke:cite|news|url=https://deadline.com/2022/06/law-order-sam-waterston-return-season-22-jack-mccoy-nbc-1235039847/|title=''Law & Order'': Sam Waterston Returning For Season 22 Of NBC Series|first=Nellie|last=Andreeva|publisher=Penske Media Corporation|work=Deadline Hollywood|date=June 7, 2022|accessdate=June 23, 2022|archive-date=September 25, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220925140851/https://deadline.com/2022/06/law-order-sam-waterston-return-season-22-jack-mccoy-nbc-1235039847/|url-status=live}}</ref> A week later, [[Mehcad Brooks]] joined the cast in the new season, replacing Anderson as Detective Jalen Shaw.<ref>{{#invoke:cite|news|url=https://www.tvinsider.com/1048320/law-order-mehcad-brooks-season-22-detective/|title=''Law & Order'': Mehcad Brooks Joins Season 22 as Detective|first=Martin|last=Holmes|work=TV Insider|date=June 14, 2022|accessdate=June 23, 2022|archive-date=August 26, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220826195642/https://www.tvinsider.com/1048320/law-order-mehcad-brooks-season-22-detective/|url-status=live}}</ref> On November 15, 2023, it was announced that Donovan would be not returning for the 23rd season.<ref>{{#invoke:cite|web|last=Bell|first=BreAnna|title=''Law & Order'' Star Jeffrey Donovan Not Returning For Season 23|url=https://variety.com/2023/tv/news/law-order-jeffrey-donovan-exit-season-23-1235792020/|website=Variety|date=November 15, 2023|access-date=November 22, 2023}}</ref> A week later, [[Reid Scott (actor)|Reid Scott]] joined the cast for the 23rd season, replacing Donovan as Detective Vincent Riley.<ref>{{#invoke:cite|web|last=Andreeva|first=Nellie|title=Reid Scott Joins ''Law & Order'' As New Series Regular In Season 23|url=https://deadline.com/2023/11/reid-scott-law-and-order-series-regular-cast-jeffrey-donovan-1235634726/|website=[[Deadline Hollywood]]|date=November 22, 2023|access-date=November 22, 2023}}</ref> On February 2, 2024, it was announced that Waterston would depart from the series and [[Tony Goldwyn]] would join the cast as District Attorney Nicholas Baxter.<ref>{{#invoke:cite|web|title=Sam Waterston Exiting 'Law & Order' As Tony Goldwyn Joins Cast|url=https://deadline.com/2024/02/sam-waterston-exit-law-and-order-tony-goldwyn-cast-1235812525/|last=Cordero|first=Rosy|website=Deadline Hollywood|date=February 2, 2024|access-date=February 2, 2024}}</ref> On May 10, 2024, it was announced [[Camryn Manheim]] would depart the series after season 23.<ref>{{#invoke:cite|web|last=Cordero |first=Rosy |date=2024-05-10 |title='Law & Order': Camryn Manheim Not Returning To NBC Series For Season 24 |url=https://deadline.com/2024/05/law-and-order-camryn-manheim-exit-season-23-1235911808/ |access-date=2024-05-11 |website=Deadline Hollywood |language=en-US}}</ref> On July 22, 2024, [[Maura Tierney]] was cast as a new lieutenant for season 24, replacing Manheim as Lieutenant Jessica Brady.<ref>{{#invoke:cite|web|last=Petski |first=Denise |date=2024-07-22 |title=Maura Tierney Joins 'Law & Order' As Series Regular In Season 24 |url=https://deadline.com/2024/07/maura-tierney-law-amp-order-series-regular-season-24-1236018069/ |access-date=2024-07-22 |website=Deadline Hollywood |language=en-US}}</ref> In May 2025, NBC renewed the series for its twenty-fifth season.<ref name="Variety–S25">{{cite magazine |last1=Otterson |first1=Joe |title=''Law & Order'', ''Law & Order: SVU'' Renewed at NBC |url=https://variety.com/2025/tv/news/law-and-order-law-and-order-svu-renewed-nbc-1236391162/ |magazine=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]] |publisher=[[Penske Media Corporation]] |access-date=May 8, 2025 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20250508191630/https://variety.com/2025/tv/news/law-and-order-law-and-order-svu-renewed-nbc-1236391162/ |archive-date=May 8, 2025 |issn=0042-2738 |oclc=60626328 |date=May 8, 2025 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=Andreeva |first1=Nellie |title=''Law & Order: SVU'' and ''Law & Order'' Renewed for 2025–2026 After Combined 50 Seasons On NBC |url=https://deadline.com/2025/05/law-amp-order-svu-law-amp-order-renewed-nbc-2025-26-season-1236390251/ |website=[[Deadline Hollywood]] |publisher=[[Penske Media Corporation]] |access-date=May 8, 2025 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20250508190734/https://deadline.com/2025/05/law-amp-order-svu-law-amp-order-renewed-nbc-2025-26-season-1236390251/ |archive-date=May 8, 2025 |date=May 8, 2025 |url-status=live}}</ref>