Everything to Know About 'Law & Order' Season 23

With the writers' and actors' strikes in the rearview, Law & Order finally premiered its 23rd season on Jan. 18, 2024. But the show looked different than it did when it last aired back in May 2023. Jeffrey Donovan, who played fan-favorite Detective Cosgrove in Seasons 21 and 22, did not return to the series (according to TVLine, the star was let go "for creative reasons").   

Keep reading for details on who NBC tapped to replace Donovan and more about about Law & Order Season 23, which wrapped May 16, 2024.  

Was there 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 & Order: Organized Crime were also renewed. All three shows wrapped their latest seasons on May 16, 2024. 

Related: Dick Wolf's Net Worth In 2024 Basically Has a Zero for Every 'Law & Order' Show

When was the Law & Order Season 23 release date?

Ordinarily the show would have returned in the fall of 2023, but given production delays, it premiered Jan. 18, 2024 at 8 p.m. ET. 

Related: Everything to Know About 'Law & Order: SVU' Season 25

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 and killed 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. 

Which cast member did not return for Law & Order Season 23? 

Jeffrey Donovan (Senior Detective Frank Cosgrove)

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 for Seasons 21 and 22. However, he did not return for Season 23, reportedly for "creative reasons." 

Related: 'Law & Order' Fans Have Big Feelings About How Cosgrove Got Written Off the Show

Who replaced Jeffrey Donovan on Law & Order Season 23?

NBC tapped The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel and Veep alum Reid Scott to fill the Cosgrove-shaped hole on the show. He plays Detective Shaw's new partner, Detective Vincent Riley, a newcomer to the precinct.

Who was cast in Law & Order Season 23?

In addition to newcomer Reid Scott, the following actors were back:

Mehcad Brooks (Junior Detective Jalen Shaw)

Mehcad Brooks' Jalen Shaw is calm and more progressive than his (now former) partner Cosgrove ever was. Brooks, whose had previous roles on Desperate Housewives and Supergirl, revealed that he grew up watching Law & Order.

Camryn Manheim (Lieutenant Kate Dixon)

Emmy Award-winning actress Camryn Manheim, known for her work on The Practice, continues to command the squad as the hard-nosed (but compassionate and sign-language-fluent) Kate Dixon. However, Season 23 will be her last, as she's not going to return after the finale. 

Sam Waterston (District Attorney Jack McCoy)

The longest-tenured original Law & Order cast member in history, Sam Waterston reprised he role of District Attorney Jack McCoy for his 19th season. However, he left the series after appearing in more than 400 episodes. His final episode aired Feb. 22, 2024. 

Hugh Dancy (Executive Assistant District Attorney Nolan Price)

Hugh Dancy plays Nolan Price, a former defense attorney who switched sides. 

Odelya Halevi (Assistant District Attorney Samantha Maroun)

Odelya Halevi returned as ADA Samantha Maroun, whose backstory includes a sister who was raped and murdered.

Related: Dun-Dun! The 30 Best Law & Order Episodes of All Time

Is Sam Waterston still on Law & Order?

No. Waterston, the longest-tenured original Law & Order cast member in history, left the show during Season 23. His last episode aired Feb. 22, 2024.  

"The time has come for me to move on and take Jack McCoy with me," he said in a statement. "There’s sadness in leaving, but I’m just too curious about what’s next.”

Related: How 'Law and Order' Wrote of Sam Waterston's Jack McCoy

Who replaced Sam Waterston on Law & Order?

The new DA on the series is Scandal’s Tony Goldwyn. His first episode aired March 14, 2024. 

How many episodes were in Law & Order Season 23?

The show had 13 episodes this season—about 10 fewer than usual. 

Law & Order Season 23 Episode Guide

Law & Order Season 23, Episode 1 — "Freedom of Expression"

Logline: "In the wake of a murder on campus, the line between free speech and hate speech at a university is examined. Meanwhile, Detective Jalen Shaw is still getting used to working with his new partner, Detective Vincent Riley."

Law & Order Season 23, Episode 2 — "Human Innovation"

Logline: "When a prominent tech CEO is killed, Shaw and Riley untangle multiple leads to reveal a plot for retribution. Price and Maroun debate whether an overdue piece of evidence should be submitted to the jury."

Law & Order Season 23, Episode 3 — "Turn the Page"

Logline: "When a young woman is strangled, Yee connects the M.O. to a potential serial offender, leading Riley to revisit a case that went cold on his watch; Price makes a risky move to bait one of their own on the stand."

Law & Order Season 23, Episode 4 — "Unintended Consequences"

Logline: "Shaw and Riley investigate the murder of a real estate agent. After speaking with prominent clients an unexpected witness appears leaving Price and Maroun to convince the jury of motive while facing difficult decision about their witness."

Law & Order Season 23, Episode 5 — "Last Dance"

Logline: "When a woman is found murdered in Central Park, evidence points to two frequent park-goers: a street vendor and a tech billionaire; in the face of extreme political pressure, McCoy takes drastic action to make the case."

Law & Order Season 23, Episode 6 — "On the Ledge"

Logline: "When NYPD responds to the scene of an active shooter in a nearby hospital, Shaw is shocked at his connection to the suspect; Maroun and Price face a difficult trial when the defendant offers up an insanity plea."

Law & Order Season 23, Episode 7 — "Balance of Power" 

Logline: "When a successful Wall Street investor is murdered in his home, Shaw and Riley dig into his professional and personal lives to identify his killer; DA Baxter puts pressure on Price and Maroun to make sure his first case in office is a success."

Law & Order Season 23, Episode 8 — "Facade" 

Logline: "Shaw and Riley investigate the death of a comic after a subway altercation; when a suspect is arrested, Baxter insists they increase the charges despite Price's apprehension; at trial, a new witness comes forward to throw the case into question."

Law & Order Season 23, Episode 9 — "Family Ties"

Logline: "When a congressman's aide is found dead after testifying in a corruption case, Shaw and Riley discover the suspect may be someone close to home; as Price solidifies his case against the defendant, Baxter proposes they go after an accomplice as well."

Law & Order Season 23, Episode 10 — "Inconvenient Truth"

Logline: "Shaw and Riley investigate the death of a prominent chef when he's stabbed in his own restaurant; Price has hesitations about prosecuting the defendant after new evidence comes to light."

Law & Order Season 23, Episode 11 — "Castle in the Sky"

Logline: "When a real estate developer is found dead in one of his buildings, Shaw and Riley sift through a long list of suspects; concerned for the welfare of the defendant's young daughter, Dixon and her son plead with Price and Maroun for help."

Law & Order Season 23, Episode 12 — "No Good Dead"

Logline: "Shaw and Riley investigate the death of a therapist with a long list of troubled clients; Baxter takes over Price's chair when a disturbing connection to the defendant is discovered during the trial."

Law & Order Season 23, Episode 13 — "In Harm's Way"

Logline: "When a sports star is killed, Shaw and Riley suspect the shooter missed their intended target; Baxter's daughter comes forward as a witness, but her public testimony could impact his re-election campaign with the confession of a family secret."

How to watch Law & Order Season 23

In season, Law & Order airs Thursdays at 8 p.m. ET on NBC. Now that Season 23 has wrapped, it's available to stream on Peacock. 

Next, 'Law & Order' Renewed for Season 24: What We Know