When Does ‘Law & Order’ Return for Season 26 With Major Changes?
When Does ‘Law & Order’ Return for Season 26 With Major Changes?
Meredith JacobsFri, July 31, 2026 at 8:38 PM UTC
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David Ajala as Detective Theo Walker, Odelya Halevi as A.D.A. Samantha Maroun, Reid Scott as Detective Vincent Riley, Hugh Dancy as A.D.A. Nolan Price, Maura Tierney as Lieutenant Jessica Brady, Tony Goldwyn as District Attorney Nicholas Baxter — 'Law & Order' Season 25 - Virginia Sherwood/NBC
Law & Order shows have become a staple of NBC Thursday nights in recent years. But how long will that continue?
The franchise used to dominate the primetime lineup for three hours, but then the newest spinoff, Organized Crime, moved over to Peacock, leaving just two hours of the original series and SVU airing back to back. The original series has been renewed for Season 26 — it was one of the last NBC shows to have its fate announced — but when it returns in the fall, it will do so with a major change: It’s moving from 8/7c to 10/9c.
It will also do so without one of its leads, with Reid Scottexiting “a few episodes” into the season. James Badge Dale will be replacing him, but it has not yet been revealed when his first episode is.
Below, we’re taking a look at everything we know so far about a Law & Order Season 26.
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Tony Goldwyn Is Trying to Get Kerry Washington on 'Law & Order'When will Law & Order Season 26 premiere?
Law & Order Season 26 premieres on Thursday, October 8, at 10/9c, after SVU.
What is Law & Order about?
As NBC puts it, “The series is known for its unique bifurcated format and examines ‘the police who investigate crime and the district attorneys who prosecute the offenders.'”
Who’s in the Law & Order cast?
Law & Order stars Hugh Dancy as A.D.A. Nolan Price, Tony Goldwyn as District Attorney Nicholas Baxter, Odelya Halevi as A.D.A. Samantha Maroun, David Ajala as Detective Theo Walker, and Maura Tierney as Lieutenant Jessica Brady. Reid Scott is exiting at the beginning of the season, and James Badge Dale will be joining as a new senior detective.
Will Hart/NBC
What about the other Law & Order shows?
Law & Order: SVUhas been renewed for Season 28. Law & Order: Organized Crimehas been canceled.
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Source: “AOL Entertainment”
