Law & Order#Music and sound effects

In 1988, Dick Wolf developed a concept for a new television series that was going to depict a relatively optimistic picture of the American criminal justice system. He initially toyed with the idea of calling it Night & Day but then hit upon the title Law & Order. The first half of each episode was going to follow two homicide detectives (a senior and a junior detective) and their commanding officer as they were investigating a violent crime.

The second half of the episode was going to follow the district attorney's office and the courts as two prosecutors, with advice from the district attorney, were attempting to convict the accused. Law & Order was going to be able to investigate some of the larger issues of the day by focusing on stories that were based on real cases making headlines.{{sfn| Courrier | Green |1999|p=17}}

Wolf took the idea to then-president of Universal Television Kerry McCluggage, who pointed out the similarity to a 1963 series titled Arrest and Trial, which lasted one season. The two watched the pilot of that series, in which a police officer (Ben Gazzara) arrested a man for armed robbery in the first half, and the defense attorney, played by Chuck Connors, gets the perpetrator off as the wrong guy in the second half; this was the formula of the show every week.

Wolf decided that he wanted a fresh approach to the genre. His detectives occasionally were going to be fallible. He wanted to go from police procedural to prosecution with a greater degree of realism. The prosecution was going to be the hero, a reversal of the usual formula in lawyer dramas.{{sfn| Courrier | Green |1999|pp =17-18}}

Fox initially ordered 13 episodes based on the concept alone, with no pilot. Then-network head Barry Diller reversed the decision. He did not believe it was a "Fox show", although he loved the idea. Wolf then went to CBS, which ordered a pilot, "Everybody's Favorite Bagman", written by Wolf about corrupt city officials involved with the mob. The network liked the pilot but did not order it because there were no breakout stars.

NBC's top executives, Brandon Tartikoff and Warren Littlefield, screened the pilot and liked it in the summer of 1989. They were concerned that the intensity of the series was not going to be able to be repeated week after week.{{sfn| Courrier | Green |1999|pp =17-18}} NBC executives had enough confidence by 1990 that the innovative show may appeal to a wide audience, and they ended up ordering the series for a full season.{{sfn|Courrier | Green |1999 | pp =21-22}}

The series is shot on location in New York City and is known for its extensive use of local color.{{#invoke:cite|news|url=https://www.mercurynews.com/2008/10/31/can-law-order-outlive-gunsmoke/ |title=Can "Law & Order" outlive "Gunsmoke"? |last=Carlson |first=Erin |date=October 31, 2008 |agency=Associated Press |work=San Jose Mercury News | issn = 0747-2099 |

oclc = 145122249 |access-date=February 22, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120923025125/http://www.mercurynews.com/entertainmentheadlines/ci_10868230 |archive-date=September 23, 2012 }} The interior sets were located at Chelsea Piers. For the revived version starting with Season 21, sets were reconstructed in Brooklyn.{{Cite web |last=BWS |date=2022-02-28 |title=Dick Wolf's "Law & Order" is "Like Time Travel" at Broadway Stages |url=https://www.broadway-stages.com/news/2022/2/28/broadway-stages-thrilled-to-partner-with-dick-wolf-on-the-return-of-law-amp-order |access-date=2025-02-01 |website=Broadway Stages |language=en-US}} In early episodes courtroom scenes were shot at Tweed Courthouse before a courtroom set was built."Set Tour with Jerry Orbach" The exterior of the fictional 27th precinct police station was shot outside the New York County Surrogate's on Chambers St, while hospital scenes were filmed at the VA New York Harbour Medical Centre on East 23rd St, and Goldwater Memorial Hospital before its demolition.

In later seasons, New York City mayors Rudy Giuliani and Michael Bloomberg, attorney William Kunstler and Bronx Congressman José Serrano all appeared on the show as themselves. Local personalities also had recurring cameos as fictional characters, such as Donna Hanover and Fran Lebowitz as judges. On September 14, 2004, in New York City, a road leading to Pier 62 at Chelsea Piers (where the series was mostly shot) was renamed "Law & Order Way" in tribute to the series.{{#invoke:cite|news|last1=Andreeva |first1=Nellie |title='Law & Order: SVU' Leaves New Jersey Over Nixed Tax Credit; May Move Into Old 'Law & Order' Digs| place=North Bergen NJ |url=https://deadline.com/2010/06/law-order-svu-leaves-new-jersey-over-nixed-tax-credit-may-move-into-lo-set-49433/ |work=Deadline Hollywood|publisher=Mail.com Media Corporation |date=June 25, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141202035613/https://deadline.com/2010/06/law-order-svu-leaves-new-jersey-over-nixed-tax-credit-may-move-into-lo-set-49433/ |archive-date=December 2, 2014}}{{#invoke:cite|web|url=http://www.nyc.gov/html/film/html/news/091604_commissioner_oliver_presents.shtml |title=Commissioner Oliver Presents "Law & Order Way" |website=NYC.gov |access-date=September 14, 2004 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20041024054944/http://www.nyc.gov/html/film/html/news/091604_commissioner_oliver_presents.shtml |archive-date=October 24, 2004 |df=mdy-all }}

{{listen

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The music for Law & Order was composed by veteran composer Mike Post and was deliberately designed to be minimal to match the abbreviated style of the series.Courrier and Green (1999), p. 69 Post wrote the theme song using electric piano, guitar, and clarinet. In addition, scene changes were accompanied by a tone generated by Post. He refers to the tone as "The Clang",{{Cite magazine |author-link=Lisa Schwarzbaum|url=https://ew.com/article/1993/02/26/law-orders-tune/ |title=Law & Order{{'s}} tune |last=Schwarzbaum |first=Lisa |date=February 26, 1993 |magazine=Entertainment Weekly |access-date=October 24, 2020 |url-status=live|df=mdy-all |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100526005120/http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,305720,00.html |archive-date=May 26, 2010 | issn = 1049-0434 | oclc = 21114137 |location = New York City | publisher = Time Inc. }} while Entertainment Weekly critic Ken Tucker has referred to the sound as the "ominous chung CHUNG",{{sfn| Courrier | Green |1999|p=69}} actor Dann Florek (in a promo) as the "doink doink",{{#invoke:cite|news|last=Ryan|first=Maureen|date=January 7, 2008|title=Thunk-thunk! 'Law & Order' is back in a big way|work=Chicago Tribune|url=http://featuresblogs.chicagotribune.com/entertainment_tv/2008/01/thunk-thunk-law.html|url-status=dead|access-date=May 13, 2012|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120710160011/http://featuresblogs.chicagotribune.com/entertainment_tv/2008/01/thunk-thunk-law.html|archive-date=July 10, 2012|df=mdy-all|quote=It's not "Thunk Thunk." It's "Doink Doink". Ask Dann Florek. He named it on the TNT promos. — comment by 'dr J', January 08, 2008}} and Richard Belzer as "the Dick Wolf Cash Register Sound".{{#invoke:cite|news|url=https://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=97905053 |title=Richard Belzer: 'I Am Not A Cop' |last=Simon |first=Scott |date=December 6, 2008 |work=Weekend Edition Saturday |author-link=Scott Simon |access-date=October 24, 2020 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081211013327/http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=97905053 |archive-date=December 11, 2008 |publisher=NPR |location=Washington, D.C.|df=mdy-all}}

According to writer David Allan, 2021:

"The tone moves the viewer from scene to scene, jumping forward in time with all the importance and immediacy of a judge's gavel – which is exactly what Post was aiming for when he created it. While reminiscent of a jail door slamming..."{{cite book |last1=Allan |first1=David |title=Super Sonic Logos: The Power of Audio Branding |date=22 July 2021 |publisher=Business Expert Press |isbn=9781637420829}}

But according to authors Susan Green and Randee Dawn:

"...it is actually an amalgamation of 'six or seven' sounds, including the sound made by 500 Japanese men walking across a hardwood floor." The sound has become so associated with the Law & Order brand that it was also carried over to other series of the franchise."Green and Dawn (2009), p. 60

The British-aired Channel Five versions of seasons 7–16 of Law & Order{{YouTube|Q5vOprCQ8a4|Law & Order Season 13 opening (Five)}} (February 16, 2007). Retrieved on September 12, 2012. feature the song "I'm Not Driving Anymore" by Rob Dougan in the opening credits, while seasons 17–20 used the American theme.

{{main|List of Law & Order characters{{!}}List of Law & Order characters}}

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{{Multiple image

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| header = Cast of Law & Order

| image1 = Law Order Season One cast.jpg

| caption1 = Season 1 (1990–91), from left: George Dzundza, Michael Moriarty, Chris Noth and Richard Brooks

| image2 = Law Order season two cast.jpg

| caption2 = Season 2 (1991–92), from left: Paul Sorvino, Moriarty, Noth and Brooks (This was also initially the cast of season 3, until Sorvino was replaced by Jerry Orbach mid-way through the season.)

| image3 = Law Order season six cast.jpg

| caption3 = Season 6 (1995–96), from left: Benjamin Bratt, Sam Waterston, Jerry Orbach and Jill Hennessy (This was the first cast line-up to not feature any of the originals, with the exception of Steven Hill.)

| image4 = Law Order season seven.jpg

| caption4 = Seasons 7 & 8 (1996–98), from left: Bratt, Orbach, Waterston and Carey Lowell

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| caption5 = Season 10 (1999–2000), from left: Angie Harmon, Orbach, Waterston and Jesse L. Martin

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| caption6 = Season 15 (2004), from left: Michael Imperioli, Waterston, Dennis Farina, and Annie Parisse. (Jesse L. Martin was absent from the last four episodes of the 15th season. He left the show temporarily to work on Rent. His character, Detective Ed Green, was shot in the line of duty. For those four episodes, Martin was replaced by Michael Imperioli as Detective Nick Falco.)

| image7 =

| caption7 = Season 21 (2022), from left: Jeffrey Donovan, Camryn Manheim, Anthony Anderson, Sam Waterston, Odelya Halevi, Hugh Dancy

}}

For the 1988 pilot, George Dzundza and Chris Noth were cast as the original detectives, Sergeant Max Greevey and Detective Mike Logan.Courrier and Green (1999), p. 25 The producers felt that Dzundza would be a perfect senior police officer as he was someone the producers felt they could see themselves riding along with in a police cruiser.{{sfn| Courrier | Green |1999|pp=110-111}} Noth and Michael Madsen were candidates for the role of Logan. Madsen initially was considered the perfect choice for the role, but, in a final reading, it was felt that Madsen's acting mannerisms were repetitive, and Noth received the role instead.{{sfn| Courrier | Green |1999|pp=25-26}} Rounding out the police cast, Dann Florek was cast as Captain Donald Cragen.{{sfn| Courrier | Green |1999|p=25}}

On the prosecutor's side, Michael Moriarty was Dick Wolf's choice to play Executive Assistant District Attorney Benjamin "Ben" Stone. The network, however, preferred James Naughton, but, in the end, Wolf's choice would prevail, and Moriarty received the role.{{sfn| Courrier | Green |1999|p=25}} As his A.D.A., Richard Brooks and Eriq La Salle were being considered for the role of Paul Robinette. The network favored La Salle but, once again, the producers' choice prevailed, and Brooks received the role.Courrier and Green (1999), pp 26 As their boss, Roy Thinnes was cast as District Attorney Alfred Wentworth.{{sfn| Courrier | Green |1999|p=25}}

Nearly two years passed between the pilot and production of the series. The producers held options on Dzundza, Noth, Moriarty and Brooks. Each was paid holding money for the additional year and brought back. Florek also returned. Thinnes, however, was starring in Dark Shadows and declined to return.Thinnes, though not reprising the Alfred Wentworth character from the 1988 pilot production, appeared in the 1997 episode "Terminal" and the 1999 episode "Ramparts". In his place, the producers tapped Steven Hill to portray District Attorney Adam Schiff, a character loosely based on real life New York County District Attorney Robert Morgenthau. Hill brought prestige and experience to the show, and as such, the producers allowed Hill to give insight on the direction he thought the character should go.{{sfn|Courrier | Green |1999 | pp = 131-132}}

By the end of season 3, NBC executives still felt the show did not have enough female characters. On the orders of then network president Warren Littlefield, new female characters had to be added to the cast or the show would face possible cancellation on its relegated Friday nighttime slot. Wolf realized that, since there were only six characters on the show, someone had to be dismissed. He chose to dismiss Florek and Brooks from the regular roster, and later said it was the hardest two phone calls he had ever made. Though producers initially claimed the firings (especially that of Brooks who was reported as not getting along with Moriarty) were for other reasons, Wolf confirmed that the firings were on the orders of Littlefield.{{sfn|Courrier | Green |1999 | pages= 33-34}}

To replace Florek, S. Epatha Merkerson was cast as new squad leader Lieutenant Anita Van Buren. (Merkerson had previously guest starred as a mother of a gunshot victim in the season 1 episode "Mushrooms".){{sfn|Courrier | Green |1999 | pages= 115-117}} To replace Brooks, Jill Hennessy was cast as Assistant District Attorney Claire Kincaid. Though no initial explanation was given on the show for the departures of Florek's or Brooks's characters, they would both later return in guest appearances, with Captain Cragen having been reassigned to the Internal Affairs Bureau and A.D.A. Robinette having become a defense attorney. Florek also returned to direct a few episodes, and his character was eventually added to the cast of Law & Order: Special Victims Unit.{{sfn|Courrier | Green |1999 | pages= 128-131}}

Meanwhile, Moriarty's behavior both on and off the set became problematic for Wolf. After a public statement in which Moriarty called Attorney General Janet Reno a "psychopathic Nazi" for her efforts to censor television violence, Moriarty engaged in a verbal confrontation with Reno at a dinner in Washington, D.C. Wolf asked Moriarty to tone down his comments, and Moriarty responded by quitting the show the next week. The final storyline for Ben Stone involves his resignation over guilt after a woman he compelled to testify against a Russian mobster was murdered by his cohorts. To replace Moriarty, Sam Waterston was Wolf's first choice for the role of Executive Assistant District Attorney John James "Jack" McCoy Jr.; Waterston's character was markedly different from Moriarty's in that Jack McCoy was conceived as more emotionally stable and having more sex appeal.{{sfn|Courrier | Green |1999 | pages= 35-37}}

Wolf dismissed Noth when his contract expired at the end of season 5, because he felt that Lennie Briscoe and Mike Logan had become too similar to each other, and the writers were having difficulty in writing their dialogue together. Furthermore, Noth had been disgruntled with the show since the dismissals of Florek and Brooks, and remained embittered against Wolf, who he felt was not a friend to his actors. The final storyline for Detective Logan involved his banishment to work on Staten Island in a domestic violence crimes unit as punishment for punching a city council member who had orchestrated the murder of a gay colleague and had managed to get acquitted of the charges. (The made-for-television film Exiled: A Law & Order Movie, in which Noth starred, centers on Logan's attempt to get back into the department's good graces.) Noth was replaced by Benjamin Bratt as Detective Reynaldo "Rey" Curtis, who was hired in an attempt to find an actor even sexier than Noth to join the cast.{{sfn|Courrier | Green |1999 | pages= 34-35}}

Hennessy chose not to renew her three-year contract at the end of season 6 to pursue other projects, and Claire Kincaid was written off as being killed in a drunk driving crash.{{sfn|Courrier | Green |1999 | page= 130}} She was replaced by Carey Lowell as Assistant District Attorney Jamie Ross. Lowell remained with the show until the end of season 8, when she left to spend more time with her daughter. (Jamie Ross was written off as leaving the D.A.'s office for similar reasons.){{sfn|Courrier | Green |1999 | pages= 134-135}} Lowell (who later returned for a couple of guest appearances) was replaced by Angie Harmon as Assistant District Attorney Abigail "Abbie" Carmichael, who was conceived as being much louder and outspoken than any of her predecessors. Harmon auditioned with 85 other women, including Vanessa Williams, for the role, and was picked after Wolf heard her Texas accent.{{sfn|Courrier | Green |1999 | pages= 333-335}}

Beginning in season 8 (1997),{{#invoke:cite|web| url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/life/movies/2014/10/08/jk-simmons-whiplash-movie/16897907/ | last=Truitt | first=Brian | title=J.K. Simmons makes Oscar push with jazzy role | publisher=Gannett | location=McLean VA | issn=0734-7456 | work=USA Today | date=October 8, 2014 | access-date=May 24, 2022 | archive-date=May 25, 2022 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220525022206/https://www.usatoday.com/story/life/movies/2014/10/08/jk-simmons-whiplash-movie/16897907/ | url-status=live }} J. K. Simmons had the recurring role of Dr. Emil Skoda, a psychiatrist who worked with the Police Department. He appeared in 41 episodes until 2004. He then reappeared for three episodes in season 20.

Bratt left the series at the end of season 9, stating it was an amicable departure and he expected to eventually return for guest appearances. (He ultimately returned for the season 20 episode "Fed".) Detective Curtis was written off as leaving the force in order to take care of his wife, who was suffering from multiple sclerosis, in her final days.{{#invoke:cite|news|last=Huff|first=Richard|date=April 30, 1999|url=https://www.nydailynews.com/archives/entertainment/bratt-leaving-law-order-ally-doc-joining-force-article-1.822180|title=Bratt Leaving 'Law & Order'; 'Ally' Doc Joining Force|work=Daily News|location=New York|access-date=December 20, 2009|archive-date=June 1, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220601213053/https://www.nydailynews.com/archives/entertainment/bratt-leaving-law-order-ally-doc-joining-force-article-1.822180|url-status=live}} He was replaced by Jesse L. Martin as Detective Ed Green, who was conceived of as more of a loose cannon in the mold of Noth's Logan than Bratt's Curtis was.{{sfn|Courrier | Green |1999 | pages = 331–332}} (Briscoe was described as being a recovering alcoholic, as Cragen had been. Green was described as being a recovering compulsive gambler.) In 2000, Steven Hill announced he was leaving the series after season 10. Hill, who was the last remaining member of the original cast, said his departure was mutual with the producers. He was replaced by Dianne Wiest as Interim District Attorney Nora Lewin, and Adam Schiff was written out off-screen as departing to work with Jewish charities and human-rights organizations in Europe.{{#invoke:cite|news|date=Fall 2000|url=http://www.podengo.com/apocrypha/fall00/hill.html|title=Steven Hill: Hollywood's Most Talented Curmudgeon|work=Apocrypha|access-date=March 23, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150319232557/http://www.podengo.com/apocrypha/fall00/hill.html|archive-date=March 19, 2015|url-status=live|df=mdy-all}}

The following year, Harmon left the show after three seasons (with Abbie Carmichael written off as being called on to serve the U.S. Attorney's office) and was replaced by Elisabeth Röhm as Assistant District Attorney Serena Southerlyn.{{#invoke:cite|news|last=Shister|first=Gail|date= April 23, 2001|url=http://www.accessmylibrary.com/coms2/summary_0286-5884955_ITM|title='Law & Order' gets its first blonde as Rohm joins the cast.|publisher=Knight Ridder/Tribune News Service|access-date=December 20, 2009}} The year after that, Wiest left the show after two seasons and was replaced by retiring U.S. Senator Fred Thompson as District Attorney Arthur Branch, whose character was conceived of as being much more right-leaning than his predecessors in the D.A.'s office, and was a direct reaction to the September 11 attacks.{{#invoke:cite|news|date=August 29, 2002|url=https://www.usatoday.com/life/television/news/2002-08-29-law-order-thompson_x.htm|title=Sen. Fred Thompson to join the case of 'Law & Order'| agency = Associated Press |location = McLean VA |publisher = Gannett |issn = 0734-7456 | work=USA Today|access-date=December 20, 2009}} No mention was made on the show of what happened to Nora Lewin, though producers said her character was only supposed to be an interim D.A.

After 12 years on Law & Order, Orbach announced in March 2004 that he was leaving the show at the end of season 14 for the spin-off Law & Order: Trial by Jury. Lennie Briscoe was written off as retiring from the NYPD and later taking a position as an investigator for the D.A.'s office. He was replaced at the 27th Precinct by Detective Joe Fontana, played by Dennis Farina. At the time, Orbach would not state the reason for his departure,{{#invoke:cite|news|last=Starr|first=Michael|date=May 18, 2004|url=http://www.foxnews.com/story/2004/05/18/jerry-orbach-signs-off-after-12-years-on-law-order.html|title=Jerry Orbach Signs Off After 12 Years on 'Law & Order'|publisher=Fox News|access-date=February 22, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111203072834/http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,120231,00.html|archive-date=December 3, 2011|url-status=dead|df=mdy-all}} but it was eventually revealed that he had been battling prostate cancer (for over 10 years) and that his role on Trial by Jury was designed to be less taxing on him than his role on the original series was. However, Orbach died from his cancer on December 28, 2004, and was featured in only the first two episodes of Trial by Jury. (His character was subsequently written off as having also died off-screen, though this was not revealed on the original series until the season 18 episode "Burn Card".){{#invoke:cite|news|last=Brantley|first=Ben|author2=Severo, Richard|date=December 29, 2004|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2004/12/29/arts/29cnd-orba.html|title=Jerry Orbach, Star of 'Law & Order,' Dies at 69|work=The New York Times|access-date=December 20, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130204085153/http://www.nytimes.com/2004/12/29/arts/29cnd-orba.html|archive-date=February 4, 2013|url-status=live|df=mdy-all}}

In Season 15, Röhm left the show mid-season in January 2005. Röhm's final scene on the show, in the episode "Ain't No Love", sparked controversy within the fanbase, as A.D.A. Southerlyn asked Arthur Branch if she was being fired because she was a lesbian, a fact the scripts had never hinted at until then.{{#invoke:cite|news|last=Roush |first=Matt |date=April 24, 2008 |url=https://ew.com/article/2008/04/24/martin-goes-out |title='Law & Order' recap: Ed Green turns in his badge |work=TV Guide |access-date=March 23, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150402151858/http://www.ew.com/article/2008/04/24/martin-goes-out |archive-date=April 2, 2015 |url-status=live |df=mdy-all }} Wolf said Röhm's departure was unexpected. For a few seasons, Southerlyn had often argued opposing points to McCoy and Branch, the latter of whom thought she would be better as a defender rather than a prosecutor. Southerlyn's replacement was Annie Parisse as Assistant District Attorney Alexandra Borgia.

Martin left the show midseason to film Rent. Ed Green was temporarily written off as being shot in the line of duty and was replaced during his recovery by Detective Nick Falco, played by Michael Imperioli, who had previously guest-starred as a murder suspect in the season 6 episode "Atonement".{{#invoke:cite|news|last=Levin|first=Gary|date=December 6, 2004|url=https://www.usatoday.com/life/television/news/2004-12-06-lno-inside_x.htm?csp=34|title='Law & Order' stays orderly| publisher= Gannett | location = McLean VA|issn = 0734-7456 |work= USA Today|access-date=December 20, 2009}} Parisse left the series at the end of season 16 (with A.D.A. Borgia written off as being murdered), and Farina shortly afterward announced that he was leaving the show to pursue other projects. (Detective Fontana was written off as having retired off-screen.){{#invoke:cite|news|last=Marinovich |first=Milosh |date=May 31, 2006 |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/law-order-cast-shakeup/ |title='Law & Order' Cast Shakeup |publisher=CBS News |access-date=February 22, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101111122018/http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2006/05/31/entertainment/main1671381.shtml |archive-date=November 11, 2010 |url-status=live |df=mdy-all }}

By this point, NBC executives believed the series was beginning to show its age, as the ratings had been declining since Orbach's departure. Farina had never been popular with fans when he replaced Orbach, and it was felt that the cast just did not seem to mesh well together anymore. In an effort to revitalize the show, Wolf replaced Parisse with Alana de la Garza as Assistant District Attorney Consuela "Connie" Rubirosa, while Martin's Green was promoted to senior detective and partnered with Detective Nina Cassady, played by Milena Govich, who had worked with Wolf on the short-lived series Conviction and served as the show's first female detective of the main cast.{{#invoke:cite|news|last=Steinberg|first=Jacques|date=July 16, 2006|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2006/07/16/arts/television/16stei.html|title='Law & Order' Meets the Law of Supply and Demand|work=The New York Times|access-date=December 20, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130204085202/http://www.nytimes.com/2006/07/16/arts/television/16stei.html|archive-date=February 4, 2013|url-status=live|df=mdy-all}} She also briefly appeared as a bartender in the season 16 episode titled "Flaw".

However, Govich proved to be even more unpopular with fans than her predecessor was and left the show after one season with the explanation being that Detective Cassady's assignment to the precinct had been temporary and had been transferred out. She was replaced by Jeremy Sisto, who had previously guest starred as a defense attorney in the season 17 episode "The Family Hour", as Detective Cyrus Lupo.{{#invoke:cite|news|last=Fretts|first=Bruce|date=January 2, 2008|url=https://tvguide.com/cheers-jeers/Cheers-Sisto-Lays-8673.aspx|title=Cheers: Sisto Lays Down the Law|work=TV Guide|access-date=December 20, 2009|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090302143240/http://www.tvguide.com/cheers-jeers/Cheers-Sisto-Lays-8673.aspx|archive-date=March 2, 2009|df=mdy-all}} Around the same time, Thompson announced he would leave the show to seek the 2008 Republican presidential nomination. (No explanation was given within the show regarding Arthur Branch's off-screen departure.) Waterston's character was promoted to Interim District Attorney (later made full District Attorney in season 20) and his former position was filled in by Executive Assistant District Attorney Michael Cutter, played by Linus Roache.{{#invoke:cite|news|last=Cooper|first=Gael Fashingbauer|date=July 18, 2007|url=http://testpattern.msnbc.msn.com/_news/2007/07/18/4356341-law-order-shows-get-new-blood|title='Law & Order' Shows Get New Blood|publisher=msnbc.com|access-date=December 20, 2009|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120306173548/http://testpattern.msnbc.msn.com/_news/2007/07/18/4356341-law-order-shows-get-new-blood|archive-date=March 6, 2012|df=mdy-all}}{{cite magazine|first=Ken|last=Tucker|title=TV: Sam Waterston's bark keeps giving Law & Order its bite|magazine=Entertainment Weekly |issn = 1049-0434 | oclc = 21114137 |id={{ProQuest|219142095}} | publisher = Time Inc.|date=December 19, 2008|issue=1026|quote = What's going on here is a nicely overstated case of oedipal conflict. McCoy sees in Cutter his younger, more impetuous self, while Cutter sees an aging father figure he wants to vanquish by proving he's smarter and more daring than the old coot. |page=49}}

Martin later announced that he would leave the show for the second and last time near the end of season 18 to pursue other endeavors, and Detective Green was written off as resigning from the force due to burnout. He was replaced by Anthony Anderson as Detective Kevin Bernard. In 2010, Merkerson announced that she would leave the show at the end of season 20, with Lieutenant Van Buren given a season-long story arc involving her battling cervical cancer.{{#invoke:cite|news|last=Itzkoff |first=Dave |date=April 2, 2010 |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2010/04/03/arts/television/03arts-SEPATHAMERKE_BRF.html |title=S. Epatha Merkerson to Leave 'Law & Order' |work=The New York Times |access-date=April 3, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100409154136/http://www.nytimes.com/2010/04/03/arts/television/03arts-SEPATHAMERKE_BRF.html |archive-date=April 9, 2010 |url-status=live |df=mdy-all }} However, the cancellation of the show rendered this moot.

In Deadline Hollywood, Nellie Andreeva announced the series was returning. On November 1, 2021, Jeffrey Donovan was cast as a series regular to portray an NYPD detective, later revealed to be named Frank Cosgrove.{{#invoke:cite|web|url=https://deadline.com/2021/11/jeffrey-donovan-star-law-order-revival-nbc-1234865979/|title=Jeffrey Donovan To Star In 'Law & Order' Revival On NBC|last=Andreeva|first=Nellie|date=November 1, 2021|access-date=November 2, 2021|publisher=Penske Media Corporation|work=Deadline Hollywood|archive-date=November 1, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211101232200/https://deadline.com/2021/11/jeffrey-donovan-star-law-order-revival-nbc-1234865979/|url-status=live}}{{#invoke:cite|web|url=https://variety.com/2021/tv/news/law-order-revival-nbc-cast-jeffrey-donovan-1235102207/|title='Law & Order' Revival at NBC Casts Jeffrey Donovan|last=Otterson|first=Joe|issn=0042-2738|oclc=810134503|date=November 1, 2021|access-date=November 2, 2021|work=Variety|archive-date=November 1, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211101220420/https://variety.com/2021/tv/news/law-order-revival-nbc-cast-jeffrey-donovan-1235102207/|url-status=live}}{{#invoke:cite|web|url=https://tvline.com/2021/11/01/law-order-revival-casts-burn-notices-jeffrey-donovan-in-season-21/|title=Law & Order Revival Casts Burn Notice's Jeffrey Donovan in Season 21|last=Roots|first=Kimberly|date=November 1, 2021|access-date=November 2, 2021|work=TVLine|archive-date=November 1, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211101222924/https://tvline.com/2021/11/01/law-order-revival-casts-burn-notices-jeffrey-donovan-in-season-21/|url-status=live}} At that time it was also reported that Sam Waterston and Anthony Anderson, who starred in earlier seasons of the series, and additional former cast members were also in talks to return. Waterston previously stated in 2015 that he would be open to returning.{{#invoke:cite|web|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-news/sam-waterston-law-order-revival-793869/ | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20211105092747/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-news/sam-waterston-law-order-revival-793869/ | archive-date = November 5, 2021 | issn = 0018-3660|title=Sam Waterston on 'Law & Order' Revival: Let's "Break the Record"|last=Stanhope|first=Kate|date=May 6, 2015|access-date =November 2, 2021|work=The Hollywood Reporter}} Other previous cast members including S. Epatha Merkerson, Jeremy Sisto and Alana de la Garza hold starring roles on Chicago Med or FBI, with both also being part of the franchise and Wolf Entertainment series.{{#invoke:cite|web|url=https://deadline.com/2021/09/law-order-revival-nbc-season-21-dick-wolf-rick-eid-1234846181/|title='Law & Order' Revived By NBC For Season 21 From Dick Wolf & Rick Eid|last=Andreeva|first=Nellie|date=September 28, 2021|accessdate=November 2, 2021|publisher=Penske Media Corporation|work=Deadline Hollywood|archive-date=November 2, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211102153919/https://deadline.com/2021/09/law-order-revival-nbc-season-21-dick-wolf-rick-eid-1234846181/|url-status=live}} On November 23, 2021, it was announced that Hugh Dancy had been cast as an assistant district attorney and that Anderson had signed a one-year deal to return as Detective Kevin Bernard.{{#invoke:cite|web|url=https://deadline.com/2021/11/hugh-dancy-law-order-revival-anthony-anderson-reprise-role-kevin-bernard-1234879638/|title=Hugh Dancy Joins 'Law & Order', Anthony Anderson Set To Return For NBC Revival|date=November 23, 2021|last=Andreeva|first=Nellie|publisher=Penske Media Corporation|website=Deadline Hollywood|access-date=November 23, 2021|archive-date=November 23, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211123201441/https://deadline.com/2021/11/hugh-dancy-law-order-revival-anthony-anderson-reprise-role-kevin-bernard-1234879638/|url-status=live}} On December 10, 2021, it was revealed that Camryn Manheim had been cast as Lieutenant Kate Dixon, the successor to Merkerson's character, Lieutenant Anita Van Buren. Manheim portrayed minor characters in previous seasons of the series.{{#invoke:cite|web|url=https://deadline.com/2021/12/camryn-manheim-cast-law-order-revival-nbc-season-21-1234888572/|title=Camryn Manheim Joins 'Law & Order' Revival On NBC|date=December 10, 2021|last=Andreeva|first=Nellie|publisher=Penske Media Corporation|work=Deadline Hollywood|access-date=December 10, 2021|archive-date=December 10, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211210180234/https://deadline.com/2021/12/camryn-manheim-cast-law-order-revival-nbc-season-21-1234888572/|url-status=live}} In December 2021, Odelya Halevi was added to the cast as Assistant District Attorney Samantha Maroun.{{#invoke:cite|web|url=https://deadline.com/2021/12/law-order-odelya-halevi-cast-nbc-revival-1234891681/|title='Law & Order': Odelya Halevi Joins NBC Revival|date=December 15, 2021|last=Andreeva|first=Nellie|publisher=Penske Media Corporation|work=Deadline Hollywood|access-date=December 17, 2021|archive-date=December 17, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211217183351/https://deadline.com/2021/12/law-order-odelya-halevi-cast-nbc-revival-1234891681/|url-status=live}} A day later, Waterston was announced to have finalized a one-year deal to return as District Attorney Jack McCoy.{{#invoke:cite|web|url=https://deadline.com/2021/12/sam-waterston-law-order-revival-jack-mccoy-season-21-nbc-1234892316/|title=Sam Waterston Returns To 'Law & Order', Will Reprise Jack McCoy Role In NBC Revival|date=December 16, 2021|last=Andreeva|first=Nellie|publisher=Penske Media Corporation|work=Deadline Hollywood|access-date=December 16, 2021|archive-date=December 16, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211216192119/https://deadline.com/2021/12/sam-waterston-law-order-revival-jack-mccoy-season-21-nbc-1234892316/|url-status=live}}

On May 10, 2022, the series was renewed by NBC for a 22nd season.{{#invoke:cite|news|url=https://variety.com/2022/tv/news/law-and-order-organized-crime-renewed-1235262271/|title='Law & Order' and 'Law & Order: Organized Crime' Renewed for New Seasons at NBC|first=Selome|last=Hailu|newspaper=Variety|issn=0042-2738|oclc=810134503|date=May 10, 2022|access-date=May 12, 2022|archive-date=October 25, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221025001430/https://variety.com/2022/tv/news/law-and-order-organized-crime-renewed-1235262271/|url-status=live}} Later that same month, it was announced that Anderson would leave the series.{{#invoke:cite|news|url=https://www.thewrap.com/anthony-anderson-wont-return-for-law-order-season-22/|title=Anthony Anderson Won't Return for Law & Order Season 22|first=Brandon|last=Katz|publisher=The Wrap|date=May 27, 2022|accessdate=June 23, 2022|archive-date=September 29, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220929080656/https://www.thewrap.com/anthony-anderson-wont-return-for-law-order-season-22/|url-status=live}} On June 7, Waterston signed a new deal to return for the 22nd season, making him the longest-running cast member of the series.{{#invoke:cite|news|url=https://deadline.com/2022/06/law-order-sam-waterston-return-season-22-jack-mccoy-nbc-1235039847/|title=Law & Order: Sam Waterston Returning For Season 22 Of NBC Series|first=Nellie|last=Andreeva|publisher=Penske Media Corporation|work=Deadline Hollywood|date=June 7, 2022|accessdate=June 23, 2022|archive-date=September 25, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220925140851/https://deadline.com/2022/06/law-order-sam-waterston-return-season-22-jack-mccoy-nbc-1235039847/|url-status=live}} A week later, Mehcad Brooks joined the cast in the new season, replacing Anderson as Detective Jalen Shaw.{{#invoke:cite|news|url=https://www.tvinsider.com/1048320/law-order-mehcad-brooks-season-22-detective/|title=Law & Order: Mehcad Brooks Joins Season 22 as Detective|first=Martin|last=Holmes|work=TV Insider|date=June 14, 2022|accessdate=June 23, 2022|archive-date=August 26, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220826195642/https://www.tvinsider.com/1048320/law-order-mehcad-brooks-season-22-detective/|url-status=live}} On November 15, 2023, it was announced that Donovan would be not returning for the 23rd season.{{#invoke:cite|web|last=Bell|first=BreAnna|title=Law & Order Star Jeffrey Donovan Not Returning For Season 23|url=https://variety.com/2023/tv/news/law-order-jeffrey-donovan-exit-season-23-1235792020/|website=Variety|date=November 15, 2023|access-date=November 22, 2023}} A week later, Reid Scott joined the cast for the 23rd season, replacing Donovan as Detective Vincent Riley.{{#invoke:cite|web|last=Andreeva|first=Nellie|title=Reid Scott Joins Law & Order As New Series Regular In Season 23|url=https://deadline.com/2023/11/reid-scott-law-and-order-series-regular-cast-jeffrey-donovan-1235634726/|website=Deadline Hollywood|date=November 22, 2023|access-date=November 22, 2023}} On February 2, 2024, it was announced that Waterston would depart from the series and Tony Goldwyn would join the cast as District Attorney Nicholas Baxter.{{#invoke:cite|web|title=Sam Waterston Exiting 'Law & Order' As Tony Goldwyn Joins Cast|url=https://deadline.com/2024/02/sam-waterston-exit-law-and-order-tony-goldwyn-cast-1235812525/|last=Cordero|first=Rosy|website=Deadline Hollywood|date=February 2, 2024|access-date=February 2, 2024}} On May 10, 2024, it was announced Camryn Manheim would depart the series after season 23.{{#invoke:cite|web|last=Cordero |first=Rosy |date=2024-05-10 |title='Law & Order': Camryn Manheim Not Returning To NBC Series For Season 24 |url=https://deadline.com/2024/05/law-and-order-camryn-manheim-exit-season-23-1235911808/ |access-date=2024-05-11 |website=Deadline Hollywood |language=en-US}} On July 22, 2024, Maura Tierney was cast as a new lieutenant for season 24, replacing Manheim as Lieutenant Jessica Brady.{{#invoke:cite|web|last=Petski |first=Denise |date=2024-07-22 |title=Maura Tierney Joins 'Law & Order' As Series Regular In Season 24 |url=https://deadline.com/2024/07/maura-tierney-law-amp-order-series-regular-season-24-1236018069/ |access-date=2024-07-22 |website=Deadline Hollywood |language=en-US}} In May 2025, NBC renewed the series for its twenty-fifth season.{{cite magazine |last1=Otterson |first1=Joe |title=Law & Order, Law & Order: SVU Renewed at NBC |url=https://variety.com/2025/tv/news/law-and-order-law-and-order-svu-renewed-nbc-1236391162/ |magazine=Variety |publisher=Penske Media Corporation |access-date=May 8, 2025 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20250508191630/https://variety.com/2025/tv/news/law-and-order-law-and-order-svu-renewed-nbc-1236391162/ |archive-date=May 8, 2025 |issn=0042-2738 |oclc=60626328 |date=May 8, 2025 |url-status=live}}{{cite web |last1=Andreeva |first1=Nellie |title=Law & Order: SVU and Law & Order Renewed for 2025–2026 After Combined 50 Seasons On NBC |url=https://deadline.com/2025/05/law-amp-order-svu-law-amp-order-renewed-nbc-2025-26-season-1236390251/ |website=Deadline Hollywood |publisher=Penske Media Corporation |access-date=May 8, 2025 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20250508190734/https://deadline.com/2025/05/law-amp-order-svu-law-amp-order-renewed-nbc-2025-26-season-1236390251/ |archive-date=May 8, 2025 |date=May 8, 2025 |url-status=live}}

{{quote box|width=35% |Darius Blueberry|quote=In the criminal justice system, the people are represented by two separate yet equally important groups: the police who investigate crime, and the district attorneys who prosecute the offenders. These are their stories.|source=—Opening narration, spoken by Steven Zirnkilton.{{#invoke:cite|news|agency=Associated Press|work=Today|title='Law & Order' reunion salutes 20th season|url=http://www.today.com/id/32991751|date=September 23, 2009|accessdate=July 28, 2013|archive-date=March 5, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160305081013/http://www.today.com/id/32991751|url-status=live}}"Ask the Editors"; TV Guide; April 19, 2010; Page 6.{{cite episode| title = Everybody's Favorite Bagman| credits=Writer: Dick Wolf. Director: John Patterson | network = NBC | series = Law & Order| airdate = 1990-10-30| season = 1| number = 6}}}}

Law & Order episodes are structured into two parts. The initial segment involves police investigations, and the subsequent segment portrays legal and courtroom proceedings. The show focuses on the progression of each case rather than character backstories.

In the first half of each episode, the detectives of New York City Police Department's fictional 27th precinct investigate a violent crime such as a murder, kidnapping, or rape. The police collect evidence and interview witnesses and potential suspects. When the evidence indicates a likely suspect, the police arrest them.

In the second half of each episode, the prosecutors of the Manhattan District Attorney's office take over. The prosecutors discuss deals and plea bargains, prepare the witnesses and evidence, and represent the people's case in the trial of the accused. The prosecutors take it in turns with the defendant's defense attorney to argue the case before a jury until an outcome is decided.

Law & Order episodes are often advertised as being "ripped from the headlines", a slogan that refers to the franchise's practice of conceiving stories that are partially inspired by recent headlines. There might be a few scenes that resemble a well-known headline, while the majority of the episode goes in a different direction, or there could be one character that is based on a famous individual, but the circumstances the person encounters are largely fictional, and the rest of the plot usually diverges significantly from the actual events that may have inspired the episode.{{#invoke:cite|web|last=Gay |first=Verne |title='Law & Order' rips story from Taconic tragedy |url=https://www.newsday.com/long-island/nassau/law-order-rips-story-from-taconic-tragedy-1.1569725 |website=Newsday |access-date=February 22, 2022 |date=November 9, 2009 |archive-date=March 19, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220319080538/https://www.newsday.com/long-island/nassau/law-order-rips-story-from-taconic-tragedy-1.1569725 |url-status=live }} This "ripped from the headlines" theme is reflected in the opening credits sequence that evolves from newspaper halftones to high-resolution photos. Advertisements of episodes with close real-life case parallels often use the "ripped from the headlines" phrase, although a textual disclaimer, within the actual episode, emphasizes that the story and characters are fictional.

Some real-life crime victims have felt used and exploited, with one lawyer, Ravi Batra, going so far as to sue the show in 2004 for libel with regard to the season 14 episode "Floater", which portrayed a lawyer with a similar name and the distinctive features of Batra.{{#invoke:cite|news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/03/05/AR2009030504029.html|title=Ripped From the Headlines – and From the Heart|last=Farhi|first=Paul|date=March 8, 2009|newspaper=The Washington Post|access-date=October 23, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121112041118/http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/03/05/AR2009030504029.html|archive-date=November 12, 2012|url-status=live|df=mdy-all}} Batra and the show later settled out of court for an unspecified amount.{{#invoke:cite|news|url=https://www.dnainfo.com/new-york/20161228/st-george/ravi-batra-idnyc-document-delete-lawsuit/|title=Lawyer Who Sued 'Law & Order' Joins IDNYC Destruction Suit|last=Rizzi|first=Nicholas|date=December 28, 2016|work=DNAinfo New York|access-date=March 25, 2021|archive-date=June 24, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210624041255/https://www.dnainfo.com/new-york/20161228/st-george/ravi-batra-idnyc-document-delete-lawsuit/|url-status=dead}}

{{Main|List of Law & Order episodes}}

{{:List of Law & Order episodes}}

The show premiered September 13, 1990,{{cite web |last1=History |title=“Law & Order” debuts |url=https://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/september-13/law-order-debuts |website=history.com |access-date=2 July 2025}} and ended its first run on May 24, 2010. 456 episodes were aired and produced. The show ran for twenty seasons on NBC. In 2002, Law & Order surpassed Hawaii Five-O as the longest-running police drama on American television. At this time, it was NBC's longest running crime drama, and tied for longest-running primetime scripted drama with Gunsmoke. The first two seasons were broadcast Tuesdays at 10 p.m. From season 3 through 16 the show aired Wednesday at 10 p.m. For season 17 it moved to Fridays at 10 p.m. For seasons 18 and 19 the show shifted back to Wednesdays at 10 p.m. For season 20 the show was broadcast Fridays at 8 p.m., while in the spring it moved to Mondays at 10 p.m., where it broadcast its initial series finale on May 24, 2010. The revival (season 21–present) now airs as part of NBC's 'Law & Order Thursday' lineup broadcasting Thursdays at 8 p.m. since February 24, 2022.

{{Television season ratings

| hide_18_49_rating = y

| hide_18_49_rank = y

| link1 = Law & Order season 1

| timeslot1 = Tuesday 10:00 p.m.

| timeslot_length1 = 2

| episodes1 = 22

| start1 = {{Start date|1990|9|13}}

| startrating1 = 14.00

| end1 = {{End date|1991|6|9}}

| endrating1 = 12.2

| season1 = 1990–91

| rank1 = 33

| viewers1 = 12.2

| 18_49_rank1 = 46

| 18_49_rating1 = 12.1

| link2 = Law & Order season 2

| episodes2 = 22

| start2 = {{Start date|1991|9|17}}

| startrating2 = 16.4

| end2 = {{End date|1992|5|12}}

| endrating2 = 12.1

| season2 = 1991–92

| rank2 = 46

| viewers2 = 12.1

| 18_49_rank2 = 46

| 18_49_rating2 = 12.3

| link3 = Law & Order season 3

| timeslot3 = Wednesday 10:00 p.m.

| timeslot_length3 = 14

| episodes3 = 22

| start3 = {{Start date|1992|9|23}}

| startrating3 = 14.90

| end3 = {{End date|1993|5|19}}

| endrating3 = 15.4

| season3 = 1992–93

| rank3 = 56

| viewers3 = 12.1

| 18_49_rank3 = 56

| 18_49_rating3 = 10.2

| link4 = Law & Order season 4

| episodes4 = 22

| start4 = {{Start date|1993|9|15}}

| startrating4 = 13.6

| end4 = {{End date|1994|5|25}}

| endrating4 = 15.4

| season4 = 1993–94

| rank4 = 38

| viewers4 = 15.3

| 18_49_rank4 = 38

| 18_49_rating4 = 11.9

| link5 = Law & Order season 5

| episodes5 = 23

| start5 = {{Start date|1994|9|21}}

| startrating5 = 18.3

| end5 = {{End date|1995|5|24}}

| endrating5 = 13.4

| season5 = 1994–95

| rank5 = 27

| viewers5 = 15.3

| 18_49_rank5 = 27

| 18_49_rating5 = 11.6

| link6 = Law & Order season 6

| episodes6 = 23

| start6 = {{Start date|1995|9|20}}

| startrating6 = 17.3

| end6 = {{End date|1996|5|22}}

| endrating6 = 15.0

| season6 = 1995–96

| rank6 = 24

| viewers6 = 15.3

| 18_49_rank6 = 24

| 18_49_rating6 = 10.9

| link7 = Law & Order season 7

| episodes7 = 23

| start7 = {{Start date|1996|9|18}}

| startrating7 = 15.7

| end7 = {{End date|1997|5|21}}

| endrating7 = 14.9

| season7 = 1996–97

| rank7 = 27

| viewers7 = 15

| 18_49_rank7 = 27

| 18_49_rating7 = 10.5

| link8 = Law & Order season 8

| episodes8 = 24

| start8 = {{Start date|1997|9|24}}

| startrating8 = 17.58

| end8 = {{End date|1998|5|20}}

| endrating8 = 14.8

| season8 = 1997–98

| rank8 = 24

| viewers8 = 14.1

| 18_49_rank8 = 24

| 18_49_rating8 = 14.1

| link9 = Law & Order season 9

| episodes9 = 24

| start9 = {{Start date|1998|9|23}}

| startrating9 = 15.6

| end9 = {{End date|1999|5|26}}

| endrating9 = 19.28

| season9 = 1998–99

| rank9 = 20

| viewers9 = 13.8

| 18_49_rank9 = 20

| 18_49_rating9 = 13.8

| link10 = Law & Order season 10

| episodes10 = 24

| start10 = {{Start date|1999|9|22}}

| startrating10 = 18.0

| end10 = {{End date|2000|5|24}}

| endrating10 = 19.48

| season10 = 1999–2000

| rank10 = 13

| viewers10 = 19.48

| 18_49_rank10 = 13

| 18_49_rating10 = 16.3

| link11 = Law & Order season 11

| episodes11 = 24

| start11 = {{Start date|2000|10|18}}

| startrating11 = 17.8

| end11 = {{End date|2001|5|23}}

| endrating11 = 20.0

| season11 = 2000–01

| rank11 = 27

| viewers11 = 17.7

| 18_49_rank11 = 11

| 18_49_rating11 = 17.7

| link12 = Law & Order season 12

| episodes12 = 24

| start12 = {{Start date|2001|9|26}}

| startrating12 = 17.8

| end12 = {{End date|2002|5|22}}

| endrating12 = 20.7

| season12 = 2001–02

| rank12 = 7

| viewers12 = 19.5

| 18_49_rank12 = 11

| 18_49_rating12 = 18.7

| link13 = Law & Order season 13

| episodes13 = 24

| start13 = {{Start date|2002|10|2}}

| startrating13 = 19.1

| end13 = {{End date|2003|5|21}}

| endrating13 = 19.0

| season13 = 2002–03

| rank13 = 10

| viewers13 = 17.3

| 18_49_rank13 = 10

| 18_49_rating13 = 17.3

| link14 = Law & Order season 14

| episodes14 = 24

| start14 = {{Start date|2003|9|24}}

| startrating14 = 20.9

| end14 = {{End date|2004|5|19}}

| endrating14 = 19.5

| season14 = 2003–04

| rank14 = 14

| viewers14 = 15.9

| 18_49_rank14 = 14

| 18_49_rating14 = 15.9

| link15 = Law & Order season 15

| episodes15 = 24

| start15 = {{Start date|2004|9|22}}

| startrating15 = 18.86

| end15 = {{End date|2005|5|18}}

| endrating15 = 19.0

| season15 = 2004–05

| rank15 = 25

| viewers15 = 13.0

| 18_49_rank15 = 25

| 18_49_rating15 = 13.0

| link16 = Law & Order season 16

| episodes16 = 22

| start16 = {{Start date|2005|9|21}}

| startrating16 = 13.0

| end16 = {{End date|2006|5|17}}

| endrating16 = 13.5

| season16 = 2005–06

| rank16 = 35

| viewers16 = 11.2

| 18_49_rank16 = 35

| 18_49_rating16 = 11.2

| link17 = Law & Order season 17

| timeslot17 = Friday 10:00 p.m.

| episodes17 = 22

| start17 = {{Start date|2006|9|22}}

| startrating17 = 11.0

| end17 = {{End date|2007|5|18}}

| endrating17 = 9.23

| season17 = 2006–07

| rank17 = 54

| viewers17 = 9.4

| 18_49_rank17 = 54

| 18_49_rating17 = 9.4

| link18 = Law & Order season 18

| timeslot18 = Wednesday 10:00 p.m.

| timeslot_length18 = 2

| episodes18 = 18

| start18 = {{Start date|2008|1|2}}

| startrating18 = 13.45

| end18 = {{End date|2008|5|21}}

| endrating18 = 8.45

| season18 = 2007–08

| rank18 = 38

| viewers18 = 9.7

| 18_49_rank18 = 46

| 18_49_rating18 = 9.7

| link19 = Law & Order season 19

| episodes19 = 22

| start19 = {{Start date|2008|11|5}}

| startrating19 = 7.85

| end19 = {{End date|2009|6|3}}

| endrating19 = 8.79

| season19 = 2008–09

| rank19 = 62

| viewers19 = 8.2

| 18_49_rank19 = 62

| 18_49_rating19 = 8.2

| link20 = Law & Order season 20

| timeslot20 = Friday 8:00 p.m. (eps 1–12)
Monday 10:00 p.m. (eps 13–23)

| episodes20 = 23

| start20 = {{Start date|2009|9|25}}

| startrating20 = 6.29

| end20 = {{End date|2010|5|24}}

| endrating20 = 7.6

| season20 = 2009–10

| rank20 = 60

| viewers20 = 8.2

| 18_49_rank20 = 60

| 18_49_rating20 = 7.2

| link21 = Law & Order season 21

| timeslot21 = Thursday 8:00 p.m.{{#invoke:cite|web|title=Shows A-Z – Law & Order on NBC|url=http://www.thefutoncritic.com/showatch/law-and-order/listings/|website=The Futon Critic|access-date=April 7, 2025}}

| timeslot_length21 = 4

| episodes21 = 10

| start21 = {{Start date|2022|2|24}}

| startrating21 = 5.80{{#invoke:cite|web|url=https://showbuzzdaily.com/articles/showbuzzdailys-thursday-2-24-2022-top-150-cable-originals-network-finals.html|title=SHOWBUZZDAILY's Thursday 2.24.2022|first=Mitch|last=Metcalf|publisher=Showbuzz Daily|date=February 25, 2022|accessdate=February 28, 2022|archive-date=February 28, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220228183818/https://showbuzzdaily.com/articles/showbuzzdailys-thursday-2-24-2022-top-150-cable-originals-network-finals.html|url-status=live}}

| end21 = {{End date|2022|5|19}}

| endrating21 = 3.94{{#invoke:cite|web|url=https://showbuzzdaily.com/articles/showbuzzdailys-thursday-5-19-2022-top-150-cable-originals-network-finals.html|title=ShowBuzzDaily's Thursday 5.19.2022 Top 150 Cable Originals & Network Finals Updated|last=Metcalf|first=Mitch|date=May 20, 2022|work=Showbuzz Daily|access-date=May 22, 2022|archive-date=May 31, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220531013546/https://showbuzzdaily.com/articles/showbuzzdailys-thursday-5-19-2022-top-150-cable-originals-network-finals.html|url-status=live}}

| season21 = 2021–22

| rank21 = 39

| viewers21 = 5.92{{#invoke:cite|web| url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-news/2021-22-tv-ratings-every-network-series-ranked-1235161738/ | title=2021-22 TV Ratings: Final Seven-Day Numbers for Every Network Series | website=The Hollywood Reporter | date=June 9, 2022 | access-date=October 28, 2022 | archive-date=June 9, 2022 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220609001940/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-news/2021-22-tv-ratings-every-network-series-ranked-1235161738/ | url-status=live }}

| 18_49_rank21 =

| 18_49_rating21 =

| link22 = Law & Order season 22

| episodes22 = 22

| start22 = {{Start date|2022|9|22}}

| startrating22 = 4.69{{#invoke:cite|web|url=https://showbuzzdaily.com/articles/showbuzzdailys-thursday-9-22-2022-top-150-cable-originals-network-finals.html|title=SHOWBUZZDAILY's Thursday 9.22.2022|first=Mitch|last=Metcalf|publisher=Showbuzz Daily|date=September 23, 2022|accessdate=September 23, 2022|archive-date=September 25, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220925183659/https://showbuzzdaily.com/articles/showbuzzdailys-thursday-9-22-2022-top-150-cable-originals-network-finals.html|url-status=live}}

| end22 = {{End date|2023|5|18}}

| endrating22 = 3.96{{#invoke:cite|web|url=https://showbuzzdaily.com/articles/showbuzzdailys-thursday-5-18-2023-top-150-cable-originals-network-finals.html|title=ShowBuzzDaily's Thursday 5.18.2023 Top 150 Cable Originals & Network Finals Updated|work=Showbuzz Daily|last=Salem|first=Mitch|date=May 19, 2023|access-date=May 19, 2023}}

| season22 = 2022–23

| rank22 = 34

| viewers22 = 5.88{{#invoke:cite|web| url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-news/tv-ratings-2022-23-every-primetime-network-show-ranked-1235508593/ | title=TV Ratings 2022-23: Final Seven-Day Averages for Every Network Series | website=The Hollywood Reporter | date=June 7, 2023 }}

| 18_49_rank22 =

| 18_49_rating22 =

| link23 = Law & Order season 23

| episodes23 = 13

| start23 = {{Start date|2024|1|18}}

| startrating23 = 5.32{{#invoke:cite|web|url=https://programminginsider.com/thursday-ratings-nbc-prevails-with-the-return-of-its-law-order-trio/|title=Thursday Ratings: NBC Prevails With the Return of its Law & Order Trio|work=Programming Insider|first=Douglas|last=Pucci|date=January 19, 2024|access-date=January 22, 2024}}

| end23 = {{End date|2024|5|16}}

| endrating23 = 3.68{{#invoke:cite|web|url=https://programminginsider.com/thursday-ratings-young-sheldon-on-cbs-reaches-four-year-high-with-series-finale/|title=Thursday Ratings: 'Young Sheldon' on CBS Reaches Four-Year High with Series Finale|work=Programming Insider|first=Douglas|last=Pucci|date=May 17, 2024|access-date=May 17, 2024}}

| season23 = 2023–24

| rank23 = 34

| viewers23 = 5.75{{#invoke:cite|web|last=Porter |first=Rick |date=2024-06-11 |title=TV Ratings 2023-24: Final Numbers for (Almost) Every Network Series |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-news/tv-ratings-2023-24-primetime-network-show-rankings-1235919819/ |access-date=2024-07-19 |website=The Hollywood Reporter |language=en-US}}

| 18_49_rank23 =

| 18_49_rating23 =

| link24 = Law & Order season 24

| episodes24 = 22

| start24 = {{Start date|2024|10|3}}

| startrating24 = 3.64{{#invoke:cite|web|url=https://programminginsider.com/thursday-ratings-abc-edges-past-nbcs-lineup-of-season-premieres/|title=Thursday Ratings: ABC Edges Past NBC's Lineup of Season Premieres|work=Programming Insider|first=Douglas|last=Pucci|date=October 4, 2024|access-date=October 4, 2024}}

| end24 = {{End date|2025|5|15}}

| endrating24 = 3.67{{cite web|url=https://programminginsider.com/thursday-ratings-georgie-mandys-first-marriage-on-cbs-rises-in-season-finale/|title=Thursday Ratings: 'Georgie & Mandy's First Marriage' on CBS Rises in Season Finale|work=Programming Insider|last=Pucci|first=Douglas|date=May 16, 2025|access-date=May 16, 2025}}

| season24 = 2024–25

| rank24 =

| viewers24 =

| 18_49_rank24 =

| 18_49_rating24 =

}}

Repeats of Law & Order were first broadcast weekdays on cable TV network A&E during the 1994–95 season. The A&E broadcasts were credited with drawing a new, much larger audience to the current weekly NBC Law & Order episodes. In 2002, A&E did not renew its contract to syndicate Law & Order as the price was then four times the original 1995 contract price.{{#invoke:cite|news|last1=Block |first1=Alex Ben |title=A+E at 30: How a Tiny Network Became a $26 Billion Success Story |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/general-news/a-e-at-30-how-690921/ |access-date=February 22, 2022 |work=The Hollywood Reporter |date=March 28, 2014 |archive-date=October 3, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221003151804/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/general-news/a-e-at-30-how-690921/ |url-status=live }}

As of 2023, the series is being broadcast on Sundance TV, WE tv, Ion Mystery, BBC America, Bounce TV, Paramount Network and Pop.

Since mid-2020, selected seasons of Law & Order have been available for streaming on Peacock along with Chicago Fire, Chicago P.D., Chicago Med, Law & Order: Special Victims Unit, and Law & Order: Criminal Intent. However, unlike some shows on Peacock such as selected seasons of SVU, which are free, access to Law & Order requires a paid Peacock subscription.{{#invoke:cite|web|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-news/dick-wolf-sets-rich-six-show-streaming-deal-at-peacock-1270337/|title=Dick Wolf Sets Rich Six-Show Streaming Deal at Peacock|publisher=The Hollywood Reporter|first=Lesley|last=Goldberg|date=January 16, 2020|access-date=February 22, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200117013702/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/amp/live-feed/dick-wolf-sets-rich-six-show-streaming-deal-at-peacock-1270337|archive-date=January 17, 2020|url-status=live}}

As of December 16, 2024, Law & Order seasons 1–20 are now available to stream on Hulu.

On May 14, 2010, NBC officially canceled Law & Order,{{#invoke:cite|news|last=Schneider|first=Michael|title=It's official: Original 'Law and Order' to end|url=https://variety.com/2010/tv/features/it-s-official-original-law-order-to-end-1118019334/|access-date=May 15, 2010|newspaper=Variety|issn=0042-2738|oclc=810134503|date=May 14, 2010|archive-date=March 19, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220319080542/https://variety.com/2010/tv/features/it-s-official-original-law-order-to-end-1118019334/|url-status=live}} opting instead to pick up Law & Order: Los Angeles as a series and renew Law & Order: Special Victims Unit for a twelfth season. Creator Dick Wolf continued to pressure the series' producer NBCUniversal to make a deal with TNT, which held syndication rights to the show, for a twenty-first season if an acceptable license fee could be negotiated. Talks between the two started up after upfronts.{{cite magazine | first=Nikki | last=Finke | title=TOLDJA! 'Law & Order' Heading To TNT? Or Will Dick Wolf Howl At NBCU's Hardball? | date=May 17, 2010 | url=https://deadline.com/2010/05/toldja-law-order-heading-to-tnt-42109/ | magazine=Deadline Hollywood | publisher=Mail.com Media| access-date=May 23, 2010 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100521081659/http://www.deadline.com/2010/05/toldja-law-order-heading-to-tnt/ | archive-date=May 21, 2010 | url-status=live | df=mdy-all }} However, TNT said in a statement it was not interested in picking the show up for a new season.{{#invoke:cite|news| first=Greg | last=Braxton | title=TNT arrests 'Law & Order' rumors | date=May 25, 2010 | url=http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/showtracker/2010/05/tnt-arrests-law-order-rumors.html | work=Los Angeles Times | access-date=May 28, 2010 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100527072959/http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/showtracker/2010/05/tnt-arrests-law-order-rumors.html | archive-date=May 27, 2010 | url-status=live | df=mdy-all }}

After TNT discussions fell through, cable network AMC also considered reviving Law & Order;{{#invoke:cite|web|url= https://www.vulture.com/2010/07/law_order_amc.html|title=AMC Investigates Reviving Law & Order |date=July 6, 2010 |work=Vulture| last1 = Adalian | first1 = Josef | publisher = New York |access-date=February 22, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100710132509/http://nymag.com/daily/entertainment/2010/07/law_order_amc.html |archive-date=July 10, 2010 |url-status=live |df=mdy-all }} however, attempts to revive it failed, and according to creator Dick Wolf, the series "moved into the history books".{{#invoke:cite|news|last1=de Moraes |first1=Lisa |title='Law & Order: Los Angeles" gets cast, new premiere date |url=http://voices.washingtonpost.com/tvblog/2010/07/law-order-los-angeles-gets-cas.html |access-date=19 June 2022 |work=The TV Column |publisher=The Washington Post |date=30 July 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130224053711/http://voices.washingtonpost.com/tvblog/2010/07/law-order-los-angeles-gets-cas.html |archive-date=24 February 2013 |format=Blog |quote=It's not happening, Wolf said. "That's business. That's life. Everything on TV is born under a death sentence. They just don't tell you the execution date," Wolf said, grimly. Asked if his salary or other money issues on the show had caused talks to fall apart, Wolf snarled, "You can't believe we're going to discuss negotiations!" "In the 25 years I've been continuously on the air at NBC, we've never failed to make a deal when there was a deal to be made," he snapped. Yes, when asked sensitive questions at a press tour, Dick Wolf tends turn into that third-grade teacher who made you stand at the front of the class with your nose placed inside the little circle she'd drawn on the chalkboard ...}}{{#invoke:cite|news|date=July 31, 2010 |title=Law & Order is dead, says Wolf |website=The Spy Report |url=http://www.mediaspy.org/report/2010/07/31/us-law-order-is-dead-says-wolf/ |url-status=dead |access-date=July 31, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100803195424/http://www.mediaspy.org/report/2010/07/31/us-law-order-is-dead-says-wolf/ |archive-date=August 3, 2010}}{{#invoke:cite|news| last = Levin | first = Gary | title = 'Law & Order' is L.A.-bound |publisher= Gannett | location = McLean VA|issn = 0734-7456 |work= USA Today|date = July 30, 2010 | url = http://content.usatoday.com/communities/livefrom/post/2010/07/law--order-is-la-bound/1 | access-date = July 31, 2010 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20101112110850/http://content.usatoday.com/communities/livefrom/post/2010/07/law--order-is-la-bound/1 | archive-date = November 12, 2010 | url-status = live | df = mdy-all }}

In February 2015, NBC considered bringing the series back for a 10-episode limited series.{{cite magazine|last=Andreeva|first=Nellie|title=NBC Eyes 'Law & Order' Limited Series| publisher =Penske Media Corporation |magazine=Deadline Hollywood |date=February 6, 2015|url=https://deadline.com/2015/02/law-and-order-limited-series-return-nbc-1201367497/|access-date=February 6, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150207012442/http://deadline.com/2015/02/law-and-order-limited-series-return-nbc-1201367497/|archive-date=February 7, 2015|url-status=live|df=mdy-all}}{{#invoke:cite|news|last=Gelman |first=Vlada |url=http://tvline.com/2015/02/06/law-order-limited-series-nbc-chris-noth-sam-waterston/ |title=Report: NBC Eyeing Law & Order Revival, With Original Stars |work=TVLine |date=2015-02-06 |access-date=2016-09-14 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150224213557/http://tvline.com/2015/02/06/law-order-limited-series-nbc-chris-noth-sam-waterston/ |archive-date=February 24, 2015 |url-status=live |df=mdy-all }}

On September 28, 2021, NBC announced that a 21st season had been ordered. The new season was announced after plans for a new Law & Order spin-off, For the Defense, had fallen through during the summer.{{#invoke:cite|web|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-news/law-order-for-the-defense-spinoff-scrapped-at-nbc-1234982753/|title='Law & Order: For the Defense' Spinoff Scrapped at NBC|first=Lesley|last=Goldberg|work=The Hollywood Reporter|date=July 15, 2021|access-date=July 15, 2021|archive-date=April 7, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220407172419/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-news/law-order-for-the-defense-spinoff-scrapped-at-nbc-1234982753/|url-status=live}}{{cite magazine|url=https://deadline.com/2021/07/law-order-for-the-defense-dead-new-spinoff-nbc-1234793923/|title='Law & Order: For the Defense' Not Moving Forward, New 'L&O' Spinoff In Works At NBC|first=Nellie|last=Andreeva| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20210716185051/https://deadline.com/2021/07/law-order-for-the-defense-dead-new-spinoff-nbc-1234793923/ | archive-date = July 16, 2021 |publisher = Penske Media Corporation |magazine=Deadline Hollywood|date=July 15, 2021|access-date=July 15, 2021}} On November 1, 2021, it was announced that Jeffrey Donovan was cast as a new series regular, while Sam Waterston and Anthony Anderson would later be announced to return. On November 12, 2021, it was announced that the 21st season would premiere on February 24, 2022.{{#invoke:cite|news|last1=Sager |first1=Jessica |title=Jack's Back! All About Sam Waterston's Return to Law & Order for Its 21st Season—Plus, When It Premieres |url=https://parade.com/1270108/jessicasager/law-and-order-reboot-sesaon-21/ |work=Parade |publisher=Advance Publications |date=December 16, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211217022313/https://parade.com/1270108/jessicasager/law-and-order-reboot-sesaon-21/ |archive-date=December 17, 2021 |oclc=1772138}}{{cite press release|title=NBC Rings in 2022 with Dynamic Talent, A Double Dose of New Comedy, Bold Dramas and Supercharged Unscripted Formats|url=http://www.thefutoncritic.com/news/2021/11/12/nbc-rings-in-2022-with-dynamic-talent-a-double-dose-of-new-comedy-bold-dramas-and-supercharged-unscripted-formats-354110/20211112nbc01/|publisher=NBC|via=The Futon Critic|date=November 12, 2021|access-date=November 12, 2021}}

On November 23, 2021, it was announced that Hugh Dancy would join the cast for the 21st season, and it was announced Anderson would reprise his role as Detective Kevin Bernard.

On December 10, 2021, it was revealed that Camryn Manheim had been cast as Lieutenant Kate Dixon, the successor to Merkerson's character, Lieutenant Anita Van Buren. Manheim portrayed minor characters in previous seasons of the series. On December 15, 2021, Odelya Halevi was announced to be joining the cast as Assistant District Attorney Samantha Maroun. A day later, Waterston was announced to have finalized a one-year deal to return as District Attorney Jack McCoy. Law & Order officially aired its first new episode in almost 12 years on February 24, 2022.

On May 10, 2022, NBC renewed the series for a twenty-second season.{{cite magazine|last=Petski|first=Denise|title='Law & Order' & 'Law & Order: Organized Crime' Renewed By NBC|url=https://deadline.com/2022/05/law-order-law-order-organized-crime-renewed-nbc-dick-wolf-1235020827/|magazine=Deadline Hollywood|publisher=Penske Media Corporation|date=May 10, 2022|access-date=May 11, 2022|archive-date=June 1, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220601113204/https://deadline.com/2022/05/law-order-law-order-organized-crime-renewed-nbc-dick-wolf-1235020827/|url-status=live}} One week after the twenty-first season ended, On May 26, 2022, it was confirmed that Anderson would not be returning for the twenty-second season.{{#invoke:cite|web|last1=Hatchett|first1=Keisha|title=Law & Order: Anthony Anderson Confirmed Not to Return for Season 22|url=https://tvline.com/2022/05/26/law-and-order-anthony-anderson-leaving-season-22/|website=TVLine|date=May 26, 2022|access-date=May 27, 2022|archive-date=March 31, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230331125828/https://tvline.com/2022/05/26/law-and-order-anthony-anderson-leaving-season-22/|url-status=live}} On June 7, 2022, it was announced that Waterston would reprise his role as McCoy for the twenty-second season.{{cite magazine |last1=Andreeva |first1=Nellie |title='Law & Order': Sam Waterston Returning For Season 22 Of NBC Series |url=https://deadline.com/2022/06/law-order-sam-waterston-return-season-22-jack-mccoy-nbc-1235039847/ |magazine=Deadline Hollywood |publisher=Penske Media Corporation |date=June 7, 2022 |access-date=June 8, 2022 |archive-date=September 25, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220925140851/https://deadline.com/2022/06/law-order-sam-waterston-return-season-22-jack-mccoy-nbc-1235039847/ |url-status=live }} On June 13, 2022, it was reported that Mehcad Brooks was cast for the twenty-second season.{{cite magazine |last1=Rice |first1=Lynette |title='Law & Order': Mehcad Brooks Cast As Detective In Season 22 |url=https://deadline.com/2022/06/law-order-mehcad-brooks-cast-upcoming-season-1235044583/ |magazine=Deadline Hollywood |date=June 13, 2022 |publisher=Penske Media Corporation |access-date=June 20, 2022 |archive-date=July 21, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220721093014/https://deadline.com/2022/06/law-order-mehcad-brooks-cast-upcoming-season-1235044583/ |url-status=live }}

On April 10, 2023, the series was renewed for its twenty-third season,{{#invoke:cite|web|last=Roots |first=Kimberly |title=Law & Order, SVU and Organized Crime Renewed at NBC |url=https://tvline.com/2023/04/10/law-and-order-svu-renewed-season-25-nbc/ |website=TVLine |access-date=April 10, 2023 |date=April 10, 2023}}{{#invoke:cite|web|title=NBC Renews All Six Dick Wolf Series Including 'One Chicago' Franchise & 'Law & Order' Trio|url=https://deadline.com/2023/04/nbc-renews-one-chicago-franchise-law-and-order-trio-1235321210/|website=Deadline Hollywood|last=Cordero|first=Rosy|date=April 10, 2023|access-date=April 10, 2023}} which premiered on January 18, 2024. Two months later, the series was renewed for its twenty-fourth season.{{#invoke:cite|web|last=White |first=Peter |date=2024-03-21 |title='Law & Order' & 'Law & Order: SVU' Renewed At NBC, 'Law & Order: Organized Crime' In Limbo |url=https://deadline.com/2024/03/law-and-order-svu-renewed-nbc-law-and-order-organized-crime-limbo-1235864770/ |access-date=2024-03-21 |website=Deadline |language=en-US}} On May 8, 2025, the series was renewed for its twenty-fifth season.{{cite news |last1=Sederstrom |first1=Jill |title=Both Law & Order and Special Victims Unit Renewed for 2025–2026 Season By NBC |url=https://www.nbc.com/nbc-insider/law-and-order-season-25-special-victims-unit-27-renewed-2025-2026-nbc |access-date=May 8, 2025 |agency=NBC Insider |publisher=NBCUniversal Media |date=May 8, 2025 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20250508215118/https://www.nbc.com/nbc-insider/law-and-order-season-25-special-victims-unit-27-renewed-2025-2026-nbc |archive-date=May 8, 2025 |url-status=live}}

{{Main|Law & Order (franchise)}}

The longevity and success of Law & Order have spawned six American television series (Law & Order: Special Victims Unit, Law & Order: Criminal Intent, Law & Order: Trial by Jury, Law & Order: LA, Law & Order True Crime, and Law & Order: Organized Crime) as well as a television film (Exiled: A Law & Order Movie). The commercial potential of the Law & Order name outweighed initial fears that failed spin-offs (such as Trial by Jury and Los Angeles) could erode the audience of the original series.Green and Dawn (2009), pp. 10–11 To differentiate it from other series in the franchise, Law & Order is often referred to as "The Mother Ship" by producers and critics.Green and Dawn (2009), p. 2

Law & Order has had crossover episodes with other series in its franchise. Additionally, it crossed over with New York Undercover and Conviction; while neither series belongs to the Law & Order franchise officially, both are part of its fictional universe, and were also created by Wolf. It also had several crossover episodes with Homicide: Life on the Street. Law & Order{{'s}} success has spawned two other external franchises that co-exist in the same universe (Chicago and FBI). Chicago and Law & Order were connected through Chicago Fire and Chicago P.D. with crossovers between SVU. Chicago P.D. also had crossovers with FBI.

The series has been adapted for British television as Law & Order: UK, with the setting being changed to London. In 2024, a Canadian produced series, Law & Order Toronto: Criminal Intent premiered on Citytv; this series is based on the Criminal Intent format and set in the city of Toronto.

There have been a few unofficial "rip-offs" of Law & Order in other countries. For example, Singapore's version of Law & Order was entitled Code of Law, starring Keagan Kang and Joanne Peh as Jacob Fernandez and Sabrina Wong (the counterparts to Jack McCoy and Serena Southerlyn respectively from the original Law & Order), and aired a total of five seasons of 59 episodes between September 2012 and June 2020.{{#invoke:cite|news|last=ONG |first=S M |title=What happened to Joanne Peh? |url=https://stage-a1.asiaone.com/entertainment/what-happened-joanne-peh |access-date=April 9, 2024 |work=AsiaOne |date=February 3, 2015 |language=en}}

{{Main|List of awards and nominations received by Law & Order}}

Law & Order has been nominated for numerous awards in the television industry over the span of its run.

Among its wins are the 1997 Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Drama Series, Screen Actors Guild Awards for Outstanding Male Actor in a Drama Series for Sam Waterston in 1999 and Jerry Orbach in 2005 (awarded after his death), and numerous Edgar Awards for Best Episode in a Television Series Teleplay.

In 2002, Law & Order was ranked #24 on TV Guide's 50 Greatest TV Shows of All Time.{{#invoke:cite|web|title=50 Greatest shows of all time |url=https://www.tvinsider.com/list/50-greatest-shows-of-all-time/ |website=TV Insider |date=May 4, 2002 |access-date=19 June 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220619191523/https://www.tvinsider.com/list/50-greatest-shows-of-all-time/ |archive-date=19 June 2022 |quote=This list was first published in the May 4, 2002, issue of TV Guide Magazine.}}[https://www.cbsnews.com/news/tv-guide-names-top-50-shows/ TV Guide Names Top 50 Shows] The Associated Press via CBS News. February 11, 2009. {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120904061715/http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2002/04/26/entertainment/main507388.shtml |date=September 4, 2012 }}. Retrieved on February 22, 2022. The show also placed #27 on Entertainment Weekly{{'s}} "New TV Classics" list.{{cite magazine|title=The New Classics: TV|url=https://ew.com/article/2007/06/18/new-classics-tv/|magazine=Entertainment Weekly|issn = 1049-0434 | oclc = 21114137 |location = New York City | publisher = Time Inc. |access-date=February 22, 2022|date=June 18, 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180115162745/http://ew.com/article/2007/06/18/new-classics-tv/|archive-date=January 15, 2018|url-status=live|df=mdy-all}}

In 2013, TV Guide ranked Law & Order #14 on their list of the 60 Greatest Shows of All Time.{{cite journal |last1=Fretts |first1=Bruce |last2=Roush |first2=Matt |title=The Greatest Shows on Earth |journal=TV Guide Magazine|date = December 23, 2013 | location = Hollywood Blvd., Los Angeles |issn = 0039-8543 |volume=61 |issue=3194–3195 |pages=16–19}}

A box set titled Law & Order Producer's Collection was released on VHS in 2000.{{Cite AV media |title= Law & Order Producer's Collection |isbn = 0783234856}} The 3-tape set included six episodes of the series.

Universal Studios has separately released all twenty seasons on DVD in Region 1, along with the complete series in a box set. Law & Order: The Complete Series boxed set features all 20 seasons. Each season is individually packaged (in tray-stack style), with all new cover-art (including new cover art for the seasons that have been released). The set also includes a 50-page full-color book titled "The Episode Guide". Along with episode names and synopsis, there is trivia, facts about the making of the show, liner notes, and over 80 full-color photos. In Region 2, Universal Playback has released the first seven seasons on DVD in the UK. In Region 4, Universal Pictures has released all 20 seasons on DVD in Australia and New Zealand.

The DVD box set is all NTSC even though the show switched to ATSC in season 15.

• List of police television dramas

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• {{Cite book |last1=Courrier |first1=Kevin |last2=Green |first2=Susan |year=1999 |title=Law & Order: The Unofficial Companion |edition=2nd |location=Los Angeles |publisher=Renaissance Books |isbn=1580631088 |oclc=42995115}}
• {{cite book |last1=Green |first1=Susan |last2=Dawn |first2=Randee |title=Law & Order: Special Victims Unit: The Unofficial Companion |date=2009 |publisher=BenBella Books |location=Dallas |isbn=978-1933771-88-5 |url=https://archive.org/details/laworderspecialv0000gree}}

{{Refend}}

{{Wikiquote}}

• {{Official website|https://wolfentertainment.com/television/current/law-order/}} on Wolf Entertainment
• {{Official website|https://www.nbc.com/law-order}} on NBC
• {{Official website|https://www.hulu.com/series/law-order-4a6e33e1-330a-4ea8-bc44-5aa5c482441b}} on Hulu Streaming site.
• {{Official website|https://web.archive.org/web/20110606141739/http://www.tnt.tv/series/lawandorder/}} on TNT
• {{Official website|https://www.channel5.com/show/law-order}} on Channel 5
• [https://www.citytv.com/show/law-order/ Official Website] on City in Canada
• [https://onlocationtours.com/locations/law-order-series/ Law & Order filming locations], Mayor's Office of Film, Theater and Broadcasting
• {{IMDb title}}
• {{epguides|LawandOrder}}

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Category:Law & Order (franchise) television series

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