| Law & Order | |
|---|---|
| Season 23 | |
 Promotional poster | |
| Starring | |
| No. of episodes | 13 |
| Release | |
| Original network | NBC |
| Original release | January 18 – May 16, 2024 |
| Season chronology | |
The twenty-third season of Law & Order , an American police procedural and legal drama, premiered on NBC on January 18, 2024. The season consisted of 13 episodes, and it also included the milestone 500th episode.
It was announced that Law & Order was renewed for a twenty-third season on April 10, 2023. [2] Production on this season was delayed due to the 2023 Writers Guild of America strike and subsequent joint 2023 SAG-AFTRA strike, the writers' rooms for the Law & Order franchise did not return until after a deal was struck with the Writers Guild in October 2023. [3] It was announced that Rick Eid was returning as show runner/executive producer and once SAG-AFTRA struck a deal, allowing actors to return to work; production would begin on the show the week after Thanksgiving, which put NBC setting the premiere date for January 18, 2024. [4] Due to the longevity of the strikes, NBC cut the episode number of the season down from twenty-two episodes to thirteen. [5] [6]
Two weeks before production was set to begin on this season, it was announced on November 15, 2023, that star Jeffrey Donovan (Detective Frank Cosgrove) would not be returning to the series, that he was "let go due for creative reasons". This put the show looking to find someone to fill the role. [7] [8] On November 22, 2023, Reid Scott (of Veep fame) would be joining the cast in place of Donovan, later revealed to be portraying Detective Vincent Riley. [9] At NBC's red carpet event celebrating Law & Order: Special Victims Unit’s twenty-fifth-season premiere, Mehcad Brooks (Detective Jalen Shaw) spoke with TV Line and said of working with Scott and his character,
"We're expanding on a lot of the tit-for-tat relationship, the quick New York quips. Reid brings a very youthful energy to the role, and I think you have two guys in the same generation who aren't so different because they're from different generations, but they're different because they have different perspectives to life . . . There's enough camaraderie, and there's enough trust that's gained and earned that you believe this relationship. I think that there's enough similarities between these two characters where you see them as potential best friends. But you don't earn that too quickly." [10]
Scott had never appeared on the flagship series nor any of its spin-offs, but he always wanted to as far back as his early 20s. In a March 2024 interview with Town & Country he reveals how he saw the role come about for him, that it initially started when he saw the news that Donovan had gone from the show,
"I would need several mental health days if I went down the wrong Deadline rabbit hole. So I just don't, and for whatever reason, this one day I did. The first article I see was Jeffrey Donovan leaving Law & Order. And I don't know why, I just had this lightning bolt, like, 'Oh, they're going to come after me.' And then I moved on with my day and I didn't even think. I didn't mention it to anybody. I didn't say anything about it. I put it out of my head."
Three days later Scott got a call from his agent/manager who told him about the sudden opportunity, before they even began to explain it, he guessed, "Is it Law & Order? Scott continued, "Not only am I scratching this itch from 20 plus years ago, but also, it's just fun to run around the streets of New York with a gun, a badge, and a bad attitude." [11]
"Greetings, you wonderful people. It's a pleasure to talk directly like this to the backbone of Law & Order's absolutely amazing audience. The time has come for me to move on and take Jack McCoy with me. There's sadness in leaving, but I'm just too curious about what's next. An actor doesn't want to let himself get too comfortable. I'm more grateful to you than I can say. L&O's continuing and amazing long run, along with its astounding comeback, is all thanks to you and Dick Wolf, but for whose vision, patience, perseverance, and unique combination of creative and business talents, none of this would have happened. I feel very blessed. I hope to see you all on the flip side."
—Sam Waterston's exit statement to viewers. [12]
On the afternoon of February 2, 2024, it was announced that after almost thirty years and over four-hundred episodes of portraying the character Jack McCoy, that Sam Waterston would be departing the series. And that subsequently, Tony Goldwyn (whose recent credits include Scandal ) would be joining as the new district attorney, Nicholas Baxter. Waterston also released a statement to long-time viewers during the announcement of his departure from the series. [13]
Long-time Law & Order franchise executive producer and Wolf Entertainment president/Chief Operating Officer Peter Jankowski said long-time cast members like Waterston, SVU's Mariska Hargitay, and Organized Crime 's Chris Meloni have been invaluable in setting the tone on set over the years, "There are all these incredible artists who also are tremendous leaders," he told The Hollywood Reporter , "You can't make shows without people like that." Waterston's last episode, "Last Dance," aired on February 22, 2024, on NBC. [12]
Waterston, in an appearance on Today that aired the day before his last episode was set to air on NBC, stated on shooting his last scene, "When they said goodbye to me, the last shot that I did was on the set of the courtroom and Dick Wolf showed up and everybody gave speeches. And I quoted from Abraham Lincoln, going to D.C. at the beginning of the Civil War — that he had been there for 25 years. If 25 years doesn't matter, nothing matters." Waterston also displayed confidence in Tony Goldwyn taking over the district attorney role, "I think he's going to be great. I think my reputation is in terrible danger because I think just he's going to be wonderful and I'll be watching. It's going to be big trouble. It'll be what the DA is, demanding and a lot of fun to watch." [14]
In an interview with The Wrap , Goldwyn noted that his character isn't any way similar to his predecessor,
"Jack McCoy was really Atticus Finch, a purist about the law. The law is the law is the law, and that decides everything. I think Nick Baxter takes a much more holistic view towards the office. He's a politician, and a very experienced and good lawyer. I think he views his function as part of a system and takes in societal concerns, and what the broader impacts and longer impacts of every decision. Gray is the primary color in our justice system, so you have to figure out through what lens you're going to make your decisions." [15]
On March 19, 2024, Goldwyn elaborated further on who his character's inspiration is from with Today,
"I wouldn't say that [...] I'm modeling him after anyone in particular. I've always been fascinated with the criminal justice system. I'm on the board of an incredible organization called the Innocence Project, which is at the forefront of criminal justice reform in this country and has pioneered the use of DNA evidence to free the wrongfully convicted — which we're actually doing a show about now. We're filming it, so you'll see that soon."
Goldwyn's first episode is "Balance of Power," which aired March 14, 2024 on NBC. [16]
On May 10, 2024, it was announced that Camryn Manheim (Lieutenant Kate Dixon) would be departing the series at the end of this season. In a statement to Variety, creator Dick Wolf said, "I thank Camryn for her three wonderful seasons helping us relaunch ‘Law & Order.‘ She is a class act, and I wish her nothing but the best for her next chapter." [17]
Following the news of her exit announcement, Manheim took to her Instagram to address it, with the caption stating,
"I had the most incredible experience being a part of the Law & Order Universe, and more importantly the Wolfpack. I'm so thankful for the three wonderful seasons that I spent with this wildly talented cast of merry pranksters. Mehcad Brooks, Reid Scott, Connie Shi, Anthony Anderson, Jeffrey Donovan, Hugh Dancy, Odelya Halevi, Tony Goldwyn and Sam Waterston. Not to mention the stellar guest stars that came in and out of the studio doors. . . . I loved showing up for work each and every day, loved keeping the boys in line at Precinct 27 and most importantly, loved spending time with the most hard working, professional and kindhearted crew. They are truly New York's finest."
Her last episode is the season finale episode, "In Harm's Way," which originally aired May 16, 2024 on NBC. [18]
| No. overall | No. in season | Title | Directed by | Written by | Original air date | Prod. code | U.S viewers (millions) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 489 | 1 | "Freedom of Expression" | Alex Hall | Teleplay by : Rick Eid & Pamela Wechsler Story by : Dick Wolf & Rick Eid | January 18, 2024 | 2301 | 5.32 [19] |
In the wake of a murder on campus, the line between free speech and hate speech at a university is examined.
| |||||||
| 490 | 2 | "Human Innovations" | Rachel Leiterman | Art Alamo | January 25, 2024 | 2302 | 4.60 [20] |
When a prominent tech CEO is killed, Shaw and Riley untangle multiple leads to reveal a plot for retribution. Price and Maroun debate whether an overdue piece of evidence should be submitted to the jury. | |||||||
| 491 | 3 | "Turn the Page" | Michael Smith | Rick Eid | February 1, 2024 | 2304 | 4.85 [21] |
When a young woman is strangled, Yee connects the M.O. to a potential serial offender, leading Riley to revisit a case that went cold on his watch. Price makes a risky move to bait one of their own on the stand. | |||||||
| 492 | 4 | "Unintended Consequences" | Martha Mitchell | Pamela Wechsler & Gia Gordon | February 8, 2024 | 2303 | 4.56 [22] |
Shaw and Riley investigate a real estate agent’s murder, but after they speak with prominent clients, an unexpected witness appears. Price and Maroun struggle to convince a jury of motive and face a difficult decision about their only witness. | |||||||
| 493 | 5 | "Last Dance" | Alex Hall | Rick Eid & Pamela Wechsler | February 22, 2024 | 2305 | 4.87 [23] |
When a woman is found murdered in Central Park, evidence points to two frequent parkgoers: a street vendor and a tech billionaire. In the face of extreme political pressure, McCoy takes drastic action to make the case.
| |||||||
| 494 | 6 | "On the Ledge" | David Grossman | Pamela Wechsler and Jennifer Vanderbes | February 29, 2024 | 2306 | 4.70 [24] |
When NYPD responds to the scene of an active shooter in a nearby hospital, Shaw is shocked at his connection to the suspect. Maroun and Price face a difficult trial when the defendant offers up an insanity plea. | |||||||
| 495 | 7 | "Balance of Power" | Carlos Bernard | Art Alamo and Ted Malawer | March 14, 2024 | 2307 | 4.19 [25] |
When a successful investor is murdered, Shaw and Riley dig into his life to identify his killer. DA Baxter puts pressure on Price and Maroun to make sure his first case in office is a success.
| |||||||
| 496 | 8 | "Facade" | Michael Smith | Art Alamo & Ajani Jackson | March 21, 2024 | 2308 | 3.99 [26] |
Shaw and Riley investigate the death of a comedian after a subway altercation. When a suspect is arrested, Baxter insists they increase the charges despite Price's apprehension. At trial, a new witness comes forward and throws the entire case into question. | |||||||
| 497 | 9 | "Family Ties" | Michael Pressman | Pamela Wechsler & Ted Malawer | April 11, 2024 | 2309 | 3.85 [27] |
When a congressman's aide is found dead after testifying in a corruption case, Shaw and Riley discover the suspect may be someone close to home. As Price solidifies his case against the defendant, Baxter proposes they go after an accomplice as well. | |||||||
| 498 | 10 | "Inconvenient Truth" | Alex Hall | Teleplay by : Rick Eid & Pamela Wechsler Story by : Gia Gordon & Rick Eid & Pamela Wechsler | April 18, 2024 | 2310 | 4.51 [28] |
Shaw and Riley investigate the death of a prominent chef when he is stabbed in his own restaurant. Price has hesitations about prosecuting the defendant after new evidence comes to light. | |||||||
| 499 | 11 | "Castle in the Sky" | Milena Govich | Art Alamo | May 2, 2024 | 2311 | 3.84 [29] |
When a real estate developer is found dead in one of his buildings, Shaw and Riley sift through a long list of suspects. Concerned for the welfare of the defendant's young daughter, Dixon and her son plead with Price and Maroun for help. | |||||||
| 500 | 12 | "No Good Deed" | Eriq La Salle | Rick Eid | May 9, 2024 | 2312 | 3.67 [30] |
Shaw and Riley investigate the death of a therapist with a long list of troubled clients. Baxter takes over Price's chair when a disturbing connection to the defendant is discovered during the trial. | |||||||
| 501 | 13 | "In Harm's Way" | Alex Hall | Pamela Wechsler & Jennifer Vanderbes | May 16, 2024 | 2313 | 3.68 [31] |
When a sports star is killed, Shaw and Riley suspect the shooter missed their intended target; Baxter's daughter comes forward as a witness, but her public testimony could impact his re-election campaign with the confession of a family secret.
| |||||||
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| Preceded by Season Twenty-Two (2022-2023) | List of Law & Order seasons (1990–present) | Succeeded by Season Twenty-Four (2024-TBA) |