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Everything to Know About Law & Order Season 23
A new DA and new detective joined the show after a beloved character retired, making this a must-watch season.
Tap the gavel — Season 23 of Law & Order is Dun Dun.
The NBC nail-biter continued to captivate during its new era, and this latest season was jam-packed with gripping cases, heartwarming storylines, and new powerhouse characters who made their way to the 27th Precinct following a beloved original's departure.
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As new squad members settled in and beloved fan favorites headed for the door, Law & Order Season 23 was a heartwarming journey amid the courtroom chaos.
Who was in the Season 23 cast of Law & Order?
The Season 23 cast of Law & Order included Sam Waterston as D.A. Jack McCoy, Mehcad Brooks as Detective Jalen Shaw, Hugh Dancy as A.D.A. Nolan Pierce, Odelya Halevi as A.D.A. Samantha Maroun, and Camryn Manheim as Lieutenant Kate Dixon.
“We understand the emotional connection our audience has with these characters, and we can’t wait to bring more of their stories to the forefront,” Lisa Katz, president of scripted programming at NBCUniversal and Streaming, said.
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The precinct also welcomed some new characters destined to shake things up. Reid Scott joined the Season 23 cast as a new detective, Vincent Riley. After Waterston's emotional departure from his longstanding role, the team welcomed a new District Attorney, Nicholas Baxter, played by Tony Goldwyn.
What happened in Law & Order Season 23?
Season 23 of Law & Order excelled at balancing hard-hitting cases with character-driven stories, the makings of a must-watch season.
It was a chapter of change for the 27th Precinct: After Frank Cosgrove (Jeffrey Donovan) left the squad at the end of Season 22, Shaw teamed up with his new partner, Riley, to hit the ground running on the latest homicide case. Meanwhile, Pierce and Maroun continued to be rockstars in the courtroom while the investigators finessed hard-to-crack cases around the city.
Later in the season, McCoy contemplated his long-running tenure amid increasing political tension and ultimately opted to retire from the D.A.'s office. As a cornerstone of the series for nearly three decades, Waterston's farewell was emotional.
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After his departure, viewers met his dedicated replacement, Baxter. On his first day, Baxter instantly set out to form steel-tight bonds with the squad while also bringing a fresh perspective to the D.A.'s office.
"It's a very singular experience to step into something that's such an institution and do it in a capacity where my character's very central now to the story," Goldwyn told People in May 2024. "Stepping into Sam's shoes — I felt honored to be doing that, so it was cool. I felt very excited and privileged.”
Will there be a Law & Order Season 24 on NBC?
The gripping courtroom cases and intricate investigations will continue on Season 24 of Law & Order, which returns to NBC this fall.
Keep an eye on NBC Insider to learn the premiere date — and refresh your memories of Seasons 13-23 on Peacock now.
Originally published Apr 12, 2023.
