When Does ‘Law & Order’ Return for Season 26 With Major Changes?
Law & Order shows have become a staple of NBC Thursday nights in recent years. But how long will that continue?
The franchise used to dominate the primetime lineup for three hours, but then the newest spinoff, Organized Crime, moved over to Peacock, leaving just two hours of the original series and SVU airing back to back. The original series has been renewed for Season 26 — it was one of the last NBC shows to have its fate announced — but when it returns in the fall, it will do so with a major change: It’s moving from 8/7c to 10/9c.
It will also do so without one of its leads, with Reid Scott exiting “a few episodes” into the season. James Badge Dale will be replacing him, but it has not yet been revealed when his first episode is.
Below, we’re taking a look at everything we know so far about a Law & Order Season 26.
When will Law & Order Season 26 premiere?
Law & Order Season 26 premieres on Thursday, October 8, at 10/9c, after SVU.
What is Law & Order about?
As NBC puts it, “The series is known for its unique bifurcated format and examines ‘the police who investigate crime and the district attorneys who prosecute the offenders.'”
Who’s in the Law & Order cast?
Law & Order stars Hugh Dancy as A.D.A. Nolan Price, Tony Goldwyn as District Attorney Nicholas Baxter, Odelya Halevi as A.D.A. Samantha Maroun, David Ajala as Detective Theo Walker, and Maura Tierney as Lieutenant Jessica Brady. Reid Scott is exiting at the beginning of the season, and James Badge Dale will be joining as a new senior detective.
Will Hart/NBC
What about the other Law & Order shows?
Law & Order: SVU has been renewed for Season 28. Law & Order: Organized Crime has been canceled.
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O
I hate that it's moving to 10 pm, move the horrible reality show to that time slot when younger people are still awake. 😊
Leave Law and Order at 8 pm where us old folks 👵🏼 who have been watching it for 26 years like it, and are still awake! 😉 Please.
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J
James badge Dale
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C
Pre-hiatus it was almost always on at 10. It's only when they brought it back these last few years that it has been at 8.
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Jessica Davis Coleman
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L
10 PM is our bedtime. I’ll have to record it and hope I can find the time to watch it. They did this to SVU for a few years, then moved it back to 9. It’s a good show, I hope all the changes don’t kill it.
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G
Nbc is sleeping on its L&O franchise meanwhile CBS is on its millionth Ncis and CSI franchise. Not to do overkill mind you but NBC slipped by canceling Hunting Party and Organized crime. Bring back Hunting Party or another L&O spinoff. I think another L&O court room dept focused show is worth a try