‘Law & Order’ Fans Cheer as Shows Renewed for Another Season
TV’s most venerable franchise will keep on kicking for another year. NBC has renewed both Law & Order and Law & Order: SVU for the 2025-26 season, it announced on Thursday.
The twin renewals bring the combined total number of seasons for the Dick Wolf dramas to more than 50. Law & Order is now heading into its 25th season, while SVU has hit its 27th season. SVU is the second-longest running scripted primetime show, after The Simpsons, while the OG Law & Order is in the No. 3 spot. Combined, Law & Order and Law & Order: SVU have reached more than 44 million total viewers across linear and digital platforms this season.
Mariska Hargitay toasts ‘Law & Order: SVU’ renewal
SVU star Mariska Hargitay celebrated the renewal news on Instagram.
“Here’s to season 27!! WHAAA??? #CHEERS LFG!” she captioned a photo of herself toasting with a glass of champagne.
Fans were equally thrilled to learn that their fave shows would be back with more stories of crime and justice in NYC.
“YAYYY!! my forever show, so ready for more dun dun,” one person commented on a post about the SVU renewal.
“They can make 1,000 seasons. I’d always watch,” another wrote.
“I have been watching LO since its debut,’ one fan shared. “I was 19 and now I’m 46. Best written show in crime tv history.”
However, there will be some changes in the squad room when SVU returns in the fall. Cast members Octavio Pisano (who plays Det. Joe Velasco) and Juliana Aidén Martinez (who plays Det. Kate Silva) will not return as series regulars, TVLine reports..
NBC cancels ‘Found,’ ‘The Irrational’ and other shows
While Law & Order fans got good news this weeks, the updates weren’t so positive for fans of some of NBC’s other shows. On Friday, the network stunned viewers by axing five series in one fell swoop. Suits: LA, Found, The Irrational, Lopez vs. Lopez, and Night Court have all been canceled.
“We built something so special … Whilst my heart is heavy today with the news of our cancellation, I’m so grateful I have this tv family in my life,” Found‘s Karen David wrote on Instagram. “Each and every cast and crew member and creatives, have made me not only a better actor, but a better human being … to our Irrational fans… what a pleasure getting to know you these past two seasons. YOU guys inspire us to continue to tell great stories and to keep on with our creative journeys. Thank you for all the love and support and encouragement.”
One reason for the drastic cutbacks at NBC? The network needs to make room in its schedule for NBA games starting this fall, notes The Hollywood Reporter. Meanwhile, the fate of three shows is still up in the air. Grosse Pointe Garden Society, Brilliant Minds, and The Hunting Party all remain in limbo. However, all three One Chicago shows (Chicago Fire, Chicago Med, and Chicago P.D.) are confirmed to return next year, along with new comedies St. Denis Medical and Happy’s Place. The Voice will also return for a 28th season.
The Law & Order Season 24 finale airs Thursday, May 15 at 8 p.m. ET/PT on NBC. It will be followed by the Law & Order: SVU Season 26 finale at 9 p.m. ET/PT.
Law & Order and Law & Order: SVU are streaming on Peacock.
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