#Law & Order: Season 23; Sam Waterston Leaving; Scandal Actor Joining NBC Series

Law & Order TV show on NBC: canceled or renewed?

(Photo: Will Hart/NBC)

Law & Order is losing another star. Sam Waterston, the show’s longest-serving actor, is leaving the series later this month, during his 20th season on the show.

Starring Waterston, Hugh Dancy, Camryn Manheim, Odelya Halevi, Mehcad Brooks and Reid Scott, the series is currently airing season 23 with an average of 6.4 million viewers per episode. Set in New York City, the stories follow the police investigating crimes and the district attorneys prosecuting the offenders.

NBC shared the following about Waterston’s exit:

Sam Waterston is stepping down as District Attorney Jack McCoy on the NBC drama “Law & Order.” His last episode will air Feb. 22.

Waterston, who has appeared in more than 400 episodes, joined the show in season four in 1994 and returned in 2022. He won a SAG Award for the role and was multi-nominated for both an Emmy and Golden Globe Award.

In a message to the show’s viewers, Waterson wrote, “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.”

Tony Goldwyn (Scandal) is joining the show as the new district attorney but details about his character are being kept under wraps, for now.

This is the second big departure the series has seen this season. Jeffrey Donovan’s exit was announced before the season began and his character was replaced by Senior Detective Vincet Riley, played by Scott.

What do you think? Have you kept up with Law & Order? Will you be sorry to see Waterston’s character exit?

Check out our NBC status sheet to track the peacock network’s new series pickups, renewals, and cancellations. You can find lists of cancelled shows here.

by Regina Avalos, February 3, 2024

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