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The Law & Order Universe: Shocking Cast Changes & New Faces For The 2024-2025 Season

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The Law & Order franchise, a cornerstone of television crime procedurals, is undergoing one of its most significant shakeups in recent memory for the 2024-2025 season. As of today, December 25, 2025, fans of the original series, Special Victims Unit (SVU), and Organized Crime (OC) are witnessing major departures and the arrival of powerful new series regulars, promising a dramatic shift in the dynamics of the NYPD and the Manhattan District Attorney's office.

This deep dive explores the current main cast across all three active shows, highlights the massive hole left by a legendary actor's exit, and introduces the new faces stepping into the most critical roles in the Dick Wolf universe. From the return of a beloved ER star to the continuation of the longest-running drama's core duo, here is the essential guide to the updated cast of the interconnected Law & Order universe.

The Main Cast & Major Shakeups of the 2024-2025 Season

The 2024-2025 television season is defined by major transitions, most notably the departure of a franchise icon and the introduction of new leadership in both the police precinct and the DA's office on the flagship show. Meanwhile, the spin-offs continue with their established, record-breaking stars.

Law & Order (The Original Series)

Season 24 of the original Law & Order saw the end of an era and the beginning of a new chapter for the main investigative and legal teams. The focus is squarely on the new District Attorney and the new Lieutenant.

The Cast Biography Profile: New & Remaining Stars

  • Tony Goldwyn as District Attorney Nicholas Baxter: Goldwyn, known for his role as President Fitzgerald Grant on Scandal, stepped into the formidable shoes of the District Attorney. He replaced Sam Waterston's character, Jack McCoy, a move that stunned the franchise's loyal fanbase. Goldwyn previously appeared in the franchise as Frank Goren, the brother of Detective Robert Goren, in a 2006 episode of Law & Order: Criminal Intent.
  • Maura Tierney as Lieutenant Jessica Brady: Tierney, a Golden Globe winner and twice-Emmy nominated actress best known for her long run on ER, joins the cast as the new chief of the NYPD's homicide unit, replacing Lieutenant Kate Dixon (Camryn Manheim). Her character, Lieutenant Brady, is described as a tough-talking cop ready to confront the city's worst crimes.
  • Hugh Dancy as Executive Assistant District Attorney Nolan Price: The British actor continues his role as the morally complex ADA, who often finds himself in philosophical and legal battles with the District Attorney.
  • Odelya Halevi as Assistant District Attorney Samantha Maroun: Halevi returns as Price's sharp, dedicated junior partner in the courtroom.
  • Reid Scott as Detective Vincent Riley: Scott, who joined the cast in Season 23, continues as a key member of the homicide squad.
  • Mehcad Brooks as Senior Detective Jalen Shaw: Brooks is set to depart the series early in the 24th season, leaving a significant gap in the detective lineup.

The End of an Era: Sam Waterston's Exit

The biggest news of the season was the farewell of Sam Waterston as District Attorney Jack McCoy. Waterston's final episode aired in February 2024, marking his exit after 19 seasons and over 400 episodes, making him one of the longest-serving actors in the history of the franchise. His character's departure was described as a "beautiful exit," with Waterston himself stating that the time had come to "move on and take Jack McCoy with me."

Law & Order: Special Victims Unit (SVU)

As the longest-running primetime live-action series in U.S. television history (Season 26 is confirmed), SVU relies heavily on the stability of its core cast, though major changes are on the horizon.

The Cast Biography Profile: The Record-Breakers

  • Mariska Hargitay as Captain Olivia Benson: Hargitay remains the heart and soul of the show, a role she has played since 1999. She is one of the highest-paid actresses on television, with a reported net worth of over $50 million. Her on-screen and off-screen partnership with Ice-T is a major factor in the show's longevity.
  • Ice-T as Sergeant Odafin “Fin” Tutuola: The rapper-turned-actor is the second-longest-serving character on the show. Ice-T has often joked about his initial surprise at the show's success, noting that Hargitay was "just another actress" when he joined the cast, before they formed their decades-long friendship.
  • Peter Scanavino as Assistant District Attorney Dominick “Sonny” Carisi, Jr.: Carisi transitioned from detective to ADA, a move that has provided new dramatic avenues for the character.
  • Kevin Kane as Detective Terry Bruno: After recurring for several seasons, Kane has been officially promoted to a series regular for Season 26, solidifying his role in the squad.
  • Octavio Pisano as Detective Joe Velasco: Pisano is set to leave the NBC drama after Season 26 concludes, marking a significant departure from the squad room.
  • Juliana Martinez: Also reported to be departing alongside Octavio Pisano after the conclusion of Season 26.

Law & Order: Organized Crime (OC)

Organized Crime continues to focus on the story of Detective Elliot Stabler, providing a more serialized, character-driven narrative compared to the traditional procedural format of SVU and the original series. Season 5 is expected to maintain this structure.

The Cast Biography Profile: Stabler's Team

  • Christopher Meloni as Senior Detective Elliot Stabler: Meloni's return to the franchise in 2021 to lead Organized Crime was one of the biggest television events of the decade. His character's narrative focuses on fighting organized crime syndicates while dealing with the personal trauma of his wife's murder.
  • Danielle Moné Truitt as Sergeant Ayanna Bell: Truitt plays the strong, principled leader of the Organized Crime Control Bureau (OCCB) who often acts as a foil and partner to Stabler.
  • Ainsley Seiger as Detective Jet Slootmaekers: Seiger's character is the team's tech expert, a brilliant hacker and analyst who provides the necessary technological edge in their complex investigations.
  • Rick Gonzalez as Detective Bobby Reyes: Gonzalez, who joined the cast in Season 3, is confirmed to return for Season 5, continuing as a series regular.

The Interconnected Universe: Why the Changes Matter

The Law & Order universe, created by Dick Wolf, thrives on the stability of its ensemble casts, which is why the 2024-2025 changes are so impactful. The replacement of Sam Waterston with Tony Goldwyn fundamentally alters the legal half of the original show's formula, bringing a new District Attorney with a potentially different political and legal philosophy than the iconic Jack McCoy. This shift will inevitably influence how ADAs Price and Maroun approach their cases.

Similarly, the promotion of Kevin Kane to a series regular on SVU ensures that the vacuum left by the eventual departure of Detectives Velasco and Martinez is filled by a familiar face, maintaining the continuity of the Special Victims Unit's investigative process. The core partnership of Benson and Fin remains intact, serving as the emotional and structural anchor for the entire franchise.

The continuity of the Organized Crime cast, led by Christopher Meloni, allows the show to delve deeper into its serialized storylines without the distraction of major team changes. This stability is crucial for a show that relies on long-form arcs to explore the complex world of organized crime in New York City.

These cast developments confirm that the Law & Order universe is not resting on its laurels. By introducing fresh talent like Maura Tierney and Tony Goldwyn while saying goodbye to legends like Sam Waterston, the franchise is actively attempting to revitalize its core stories and ensure its dominance in the procedural drama landscape for years to come. Fans are eager to see how these new dynamics play out, especially in the highly anticipated crossover events that define the interconnected nature of the three shows.

cast of law an order
cast of law an order

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