Law & Order returns to dominate Thursday nights once again. The highly anticipated Dick Wolf police procedural franchise kicks off its latest season on NBC starting September 26. This season, Law & Order will be accompanied by the popular spin-off series <em>Law & Order: Special Victims Unit</em> and the exciting premiere of Season 5 for Law & Order: Organized Crime, which previously aired exclusively on Peacock. As Law & Order embarks on its historic 25th season, fans can look forward to the return of beloved characters portrayed by Tony Goldwyn, Reid Scott, Hugh Dancy, Odelya Halevi, and Maura Tierney. Notably absent this season is Mechad Brooks, known for his role as Detective Jalen Shaw. The dramatic finale of Season 24 left viewers eager for more, especially regarding Halevi’s ADA Samantha Maroun and her complex relationship with Dancy’s ADA Nolan Price. Recently, the duo was spotted on set, indicating that production is well underway.

Transformations and Changes in Dick Wolf’s Crime Drama Universe

Dick Wolf has masterfully crafted a multifaceted universe across various networks, featuring intricate storylines surrounding federal, state, and city law enforcement agencies. As Law & Order gears up for its 25th Season, news of Brooks’ departure raises questions regarding the future of the cast dynamics. Whether a new character will step in or if the existing cast will see a reduction remains uncertain. Brooks initially took over the role of Detective Kevin Bernard from Anthony Anderson. In a similar vein, Chicago Fire recently revealed that Michael Bradway‘s character, Jack Damon, will not be returning for Season 14, alongside other cast changes involving Jake Lockett and Daniel Kyri. Adding to the shake-up, Toya Turner‘s Officer Kiana Cook will also exit Chicago P.D. Season 13, with Arienne Mandi stepping in as Naomi Kerr.

In the Law & Order universe, SVU is undergoing significant transformations both in front of the camera and behind the scenes. It was recently confirmed that Juliana Aiden Martinez and Octavio Pisano will not feature in the upcoming 27th Season; however, Pisano is expected to appear in the series premiere. Noteworthy changes also include Aimé Donna Kelly, who portrays Captain Renee Curry, and Kelli Giddish, who plays Sgt. Amanda Rollins, now being established as series regulars. Giddish’s contract was renewed after three successful seasons. On the production side, David Graziano has stepped down as showrunner, paving the way for Michele Fazekas, a former writer and executive producer, to take the helm as the show’s first female showrunner. Additionally, Julie Martin and Norberto Barba are exiting the writing team, although Barba is anticipated to remain as a director.

For those eager to catch up on previous episodes of Law & Order, they are currently available for streaming on Peacock. Be sure to stay tuned to Collider for the latest news and updates on your favorite shows.