8 ‘Law & Order’ Stars Who Need to Return for Season 21 on NBC

Law & Order - S. Epatha Merkerson, Jesse L. Martin
Jessica Burstein/NBC via Everett Collection

As soon as Wolf Entertainment announced that the original Law & Order will soon return to NBC, fans started speculating about which stars will come back for the 21st season. (Anthony Anderson, who played Junior Detective Kevin Bernard from Season 18 to Season 20, said recently that he “did have a conversation” with Dick Wolf, the creator of the series.)

Alas, casting for the revival hasn’t been announced, and fans know precious few details about Season 21. But we do know that the new episodes “will continue where the show left off in 2010, with the classic format that explores two separate, yet equally important groups: ‘the police who investigate crimes and the district attorneys who prosecute the offenders,’” as Wolf Entertainment explained.

So who will still be maintaining law and order when the NBC classic returns? Here are the L&O alums on whom fans are pinning their hopes…

Chris Noth in Law & Order
Gerry Goodstein/NBC via Everett Collection

Chris Noth as Junior Detective Mike Logan

“Bring back Mike Logan!” a Twitter fan demanded. And a Reddit user advocated for some judicious retroactive continuity, writing, “I hope they retcon Logan quitting. Although since it happened on Criminal Intent, they could just pretend it didn’t.”

S. Epatha Merkerson as Lieutenant Anita Van Buren in Law & Order
Virginia Sherwood/NBC via Everett Collection

S. Epatha Merkerson as Lieutenant Anita Van Buren

“You are bringing my girl Anita Van Buren back, too, right?” asked a Twitter fan. Another person wrote, “If S. Epatha Merkerson is not returning as Anita Van Buren, I don’t want it.”

Law & Order, Sam Waterston
Will Hart/NBC via Everett Collection

Sam Waterston as District Attorney Jack McCoy

One Reddit user said Jack McCoy is “literally the only one I care about.” A Twitter user, meanwhile, wrote that the D.A. character “will always be my first serious silver-fox character crush.”

Law & Order, Benjamin Bratt
NBC via Everett Collection

Benjamin Bratt as Junior Detective Rey Curtis

“Now, bringing Benjamin Bratt back would be a good move,” one Twitter user suggested. And a Redditor even had a plot suggestion, writing, “I would love for them to make Curtis the lieutenant or captain now.”

Angie Harmon in Law & Order
Kevin Foley/NBCU Photo Bank via Getty Images

Angie Harmon as Assistant District Attorney Abbie Carmichael

“I’d love to see Abbie back as the E.A.D.A.,” one Redditor wrote. “She was the last A.D.A. I really liked on the show, to be honest, but I don’t think it’s realistic. It’d probably be a demotion for her to go back to the D.A.’s office, even as an E.A.D.A.”

Law & Order, Jesse L. Martin
Will Hart/NBC via Everett Collection

Jesse L. Martin as Senior Detective Ed Green

“Jesse L. Martin returns or we riot,” a Twitter user threatened. And a Reddit user wrote, “I really just want Green back, though. I swear it’s all I think of when I see Jesse on The Flash.”

Law & Order - Jeremy Sisto as Senior Detective Cyrus Lupo
Virginia Sherwood/NBCU Photo Bank via Getty Images

Jeremy Sisto as Senior Detective Cyrus Lupo

“I’d love to know if Lupo ever finished law school, and if he was called to the New York Bar. And if he started making better relationship decisions,” a fan wrote on Reddit. Another Redditor simply asserted that Sisto “is badass as an actor.”

Law & Order - Linus Roache
Virginia Sherwood/NBCU Photo Bank via Getty Images

Linus Roache as Executive Assistant District Attorney Michael Cutter

“Bring back Cutter, dammit,” a fan tweeted. A Redditor, meanwhile, observed that “the character of Cutter, who is more than willing to achieve ends by any means while still maintaining integrity, is unique and intriguing.”




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  1. O

    OrangeTag

    S. Epatha Merkerson is one of my all time favs on that show. When she was running things it was the best. I also liked her storylines.

  2. C

    CyanWeights

    I could see Sam Waterston as Jack McCoy and Angie Harmon as Judge Abbie Carmichael, and Linus Roache coming back as ADA Cutter. I'd like Jessie L. Martin as Lt. Ed Green and maybe Anthony Anderson as tbe senior detective. Then they could cast the junior detective and junior ADA with people new to the franchise.

  3. G

    GoldGlasses

    Anthony Anderson and Sisto are the 2 actors I would least like to see return. A combo of Noth Martin and Bratt as detectives with Anita as Lt.

  4. C

    CyanCherries

    I would live to see some of the originals too, Richard Brooks(Robinette ) Janiceb

  5. G

    GreenCupcake

    S. Epatha Merkerson could maybe make appearances per her contract with Chicago Med. Many stars have done that. It depends on if they can work it out. I like Benjamin Bratt too.

    1. B

      BlueLocomotive

      How could that work out? She is on med!

    2. B

      BlueDice

      The Chicago universe & The L&O universe cross over occasionally. There's no way she can play both characters.

  6. R

    RedPlane

    I would love to see back Benjamin Bratt on Law and Order.

  7. G

    GreenQuill

    S. Epatha Merkerson can't return to Law and Order. She's contracted to Chicago Med. The same goes for Alana de la Garza and Jeremy Sisto. They're contracted to FBI. It's highly unlikely any of those three will be returning.

    1. G

      GoldBlowdryer

      Jessie L. Martin is also on the Flash.

    2. C

      CyanTree

      wolf produces all of those shows

  8. C

    CyanTree

    Bring back Ben Stone

    1. B

      BlueDice

      The Ben Stone character died on an episode of SVU a few years ago ..... That's what led to his son moving from Chicago to New York and joining SVU.

  9. P

    PurpleDucky

    Bring back Leslie Hendrix as Rogers!!

  10. O

    OliveCactus

    Angie Harmon, Stephanie March & Sam Waterston (if he's available). Sam could be the State Attorney General, with Angie & Steph as judges or one as DA. Chris Noth is on "The Equalizer" & I doubt he'd leave a successful show like that. Definitely NOT Bratt, but Anderson might make a good Police Commissioner, though w "Blackish" winding up, he still has game shows to continue & I assume other projects.

  11. C

    CyanRaindrop

    Just like in the beginning I hope they don't win every case

  12. G

    GreenCupcake

    I don’t see Van Buren returning as the actress is a main character in Chicago Med. Maybe as a guest star, but that would make an interesting issue as the shows are connected through SVU

  13. P

    PurpleChilli

    Angie was one of the best. Never bring back the blonde....she could not act her way out of a paper bag!!

  14. O

    OliveClover

    all of those folks were perfect in their roles and the writing was both perfect and timeless

  15. P

    PurpleDucky

    Bring back m.e. Rogers aka Leslie Hendrix.

  16. G

    GoldFlame

    Now, Robinette would be a REAL SURPRISE, but not a half bad idea⁉️

  17. G

    GoldFlame

    Stranger set ups have happened..his shows..his call👍

  18. P

    PurpleDucky

    No to Lupo, Cutter,Curtis and Anderson. Logan & Green be cool but writing for two hot head detectives probably be criminal beat downs every episode. lol. What I think would be cool is 2 set of detective working. Either same episode or every other one to keep work load down so they don't get burnt out again. Bring Robinet back too. And Stone as a newly elected Judge. Heck yes to Angie Harmon.

  19. O

    OliveSword

    Any of them except Angie Harmon. She’s not a good actress. My favorites are Sam and Chris.