Why 'Law & Order' Season 23 Could Be Delayed
Will there be a Season 23 of Law & Order? It's a valid question for fans of the procedural, who may still be reeling from the time it got canceled after 20 seasons in 2010. Breathe easy, though. The revived mothership, which gifted us with spin-offs including Law & Order: SVU and Law & Order: Organized Crime (and Bensler), is slated to return this fall.
What can fans expect? Will there be significant cast changes, and how will the ongoing Writers Guild of America (WGA) writers' strike affect the series?
Here's what we do—and don't—know about Law & Order Season 23 so far.
Related: Sam Waterston Reveals Why He Almost Didn't Take His Role on Law and Order
Will there be a Season 23 of Law & Order?
Yes. Fans learned that NBC renewed Law & Order for a 23rd season (and third since its revival in February 2022) on April 10, 2023. The same day, NBC revealed spin-offs Law & Order: SVU and Law and Order: Organized Crime were also renewed.
“I’m pleased to continue my four-decade relationship with Universal Television and NBC,” said creator Dick Wolf in a statement. “All six shows being picked up again is the ultimate accolade to our incredible casts, producers and writers. I’d also like to thank our loyal fans who have kept our NBC shows on the air for what will be a cumulative 84 seasons.”
How did Season 22 of Law & Order end?
Spoiler alert! If you haven't watched the episode and don't want the ending ruined, keep scrolling.
The Season 22 finale of Law & Order was a timely episode centered around gun control. A U.S. senator was shot at his daughter's wedding. The suspect, a man named Derek, was suffering from PTSD after having disarmed a shooter during a previous (and deadly) school shooting. As a result, there was controversy over the ethics and morals of prosecuting the case, but District Attorney Jack McCoy (Sam Waterson) insisted on proceeding. Derek was convicted on murder charges, but the mood afterward was hardly celebratory, given the nature of the case.
Who will be in the Law & Order Season 23 cast?
No changes have been announced to the main cast, so we can assume the following talent will return for Season 23.
Jeffery Donovan (Senior Detective Frank Cosgrove)
Peter Kramer/NBC
Previously known for his work as one-time CIA operative Michael Westen on Burn Notice, Jeffrey Donovan assumed the role of no-nonsense, old-school detective Frank Cosgrove when L&O returned from its hiatus in 2022.
Mehcad Brooks (Junior Detective Jalen Shaw)
Peter Kramer/NBC
Mehcad Brooks' Jalen Shaw is a calmer, more progressive antidote to Donovan's Cosgrove. Brooks, whose had previous roles on Desperate Housewives and Supergirl, revealed that he grew up watching Law & Order.
Camryn Manheim (Lieutenant Kate Dixon)
Peter Kramer/NBC
Emmy Award-winning actress Camryn Manheim, known for her work on The Practice, will continue to command the squad as the hard-nosed (but compassionate and sign-language-fluent) Kate Dixon.
Sam Waterson (District Attorney Jack McCoy)
Peter Kramer/NBC
The longest-tenured original Law & Order cast member in history, Sam Waterson will reprise the role of District Attorney Jack McCoy for his 19th season this fall.
Hugh Dancy (Executive Assistant District Attorney Nolan Price)
Peter Kramer/NBC
Hugh Dancy plays Nolan Price, a former defense attorney who switched sides.
Odelya Halevi (Assistant District Attorney Samantha Maroun)
Peter Kramer/NBC
Odelya Halevi is slated to return as ADA Samantha Maroun, whose backstory includes a sister who was raped and murdered.
Related: The 2023 Writers Strike: Everything You Need to Know
How will the writers strike affect Law & Order?
The WGA is currently on strike, and at this point it's unclear how—or even if—it will affect Law & Order. However, if the strike extends into the show's production, Season 23 will be delayed.
The situation isn't unprecedented: The WGA strike in 2007 pushed the premiere date of Law & Order Season 18 to Jan. 2, 2008, a departure from its usual September debut. It also led to there being fewer episodes that season—18 instead of the usual 22 or so.
When is the Law & Order Season 23 release date?
There is no official premiere date for Law & Order Season 23, but we know that it's slated to return in the fall of 2023 and that it will air on Thursday nights at 8 p.m. ET. The show often premieres around the third week in September. Based on that information, it could come back Thursday, Sept. 21, but that's just an educated guess. Production is also pending any interruptions stemming from the ongoing WGA strike.
Related: Dun-Dun! The 30 Best Law & Order Episodes of All Time
How many episodes are in Law & Order Season 23?
NBC picked up Law & Order for 22 episodes. However, the final count may depend on the WGA writers strike, which could delay production and reduce the episode count.
How to watch Law & Order Season 23
Fans will once again be able to watch Law & Order on NBC on Thursday nights at 8 p.m. ET. The show will stream the next day (so, on Fridays) on Peacock.