Last Updated: 09/April/2026
The Law and Order cast 2024 and 2025 has seen some of the biggest changes in history. Season 24 began in late 2024 with new leaders. While fans said goodbye to Jack McCoy, new stars like Tony Goldwyn joined. As we move through 2026, Season 25 has brought even more updates to the Law & Order franchise.
Major Cast Changes in 2024
The year 2024 marked a turning point for the original Law & Order series. For the first time in decades, the show saw a complete shift in its most senior roles. These changes are important for fans to understand because they change how the legal and police teams work together.
The Exit of Jack McCoy (Sam Waterston)
The biggest news for the Law and Order cast 2024 was the departure of Sam Waterston. He played the iconic District Attorney Jack McCoy for 30 years. His final episode aired in February 2024. McCoy was the moral compass of the show. He was known for his tough but fair approach to justice. His exit was a massive event that made headlines across the world. The show handled his departure by having McCoy resign to protect the integrity of the office.
The Departure of Lieutenant Kate Dixon (Camryn Manheim)
Another major change happened at the police precinct. Camryn Manheim, who played Lieutenant Kate Dixon, left the show at the end of Season 23. Dixon was the steady leader who guided the detectives through difficult cases. Her absence left a vacancy that needed a strong new character to fill the gap.
Meet the New Law & Order Cast Members
To keep the show moving, NBC introduced new actors to take over these vacant spots. These new characters bring different styles and backgrounds to the series.
Tony Goldwyn as District Attorney Nicholas Baxter
Tony Goldwyn joined the Law and Order cast 2024 as the new District Attorney, Nicholas Baxter. You might recognize Goldwyn from his famous role in the show Scandal. As Nicholas Baxter, he brings a more political and modern approach to the DA’s office compared to Jack McCoy. Baxter is focused on how the public sees the office while still trying to win cases. His arrival has created a new dynamic with the prosecutors, as they adjust to his leadership style.
Maura Tierney as Lieutenant Jessica Brady
In Season 24, Maura Tierney joined the team as Lieutenant Jessica Brady. She took over the leadership role at the precinct after Lieutenant Dixon left. Tierney is a well-known actress from shows like ER and The Affair. Her character, Jessica Brady, is smart and direct. She has a different way of managing her detectives, which adds a fresh layer of drama to the police half of the show.
Reid Scott as Detective Vincent Riley
Reid Scott joined the show earlier in 2024 as Detective Vincent Riley. He is the partner of Detective Jalen Shaw. Riley is a character with a complicated past, which makes him very interesting to watch. He is a tough investigator who isn’t afraid to ask hard questions. His chemistry with the rest of the squad has been a highlight of the recent episodes.
The New Detective in Season 25: Theo Walker (H3)
In late 2025, a big change happened in the squad. Detective Jalen Shaw moved back to Brooklyn. To fill his spot, David Ajala joined the Law and Order cast as Detective Theo Walker. He is a smart detective who uses new ways to solve crimes. His partnership with Vincent Riley has been a big part of Season 25 in 2026.
Law & Order Season 24 & 25 Main Cast Table
To help you keep track of everyone, here is a simple table showing the main cast and their roles through 2026.
| Actor Name | Character Name | Role / Position |
| Tony Goldwyn | Nicholas Baxter | District Attorney |
| Maura Tierney | Jessica Brady | Police Lieutenant |
| Hugh Dancy | Nolan Price | Executive Assistant DA |
| Reid Scott | Vincent Riley | Senior Detective |
| David Ajala | Theo Walker | Junior Detective (Season 25) |
| Odelya Halevi | Samantha Maroun | Assistant District Attorney |
Returning Favorites: Who is Staying for 2024?
While there are many new people, several actors have returned to keep the show familiar for long-time viewers. These characters provide the continuity that fans love.
Hugh Dancy as Nolan Price
Hugh Dancy continues his role as Executive Assistant District Attorney Nolan Price. Price is known for his strong ethics and emotional connection to his cases. In 2024, he has to navigate working under a new boss, Nicholas Baxter. This relationship is a major part of the courtroom drama this season.
Mehcad Brooks as Detective Jalen Shaw
Mehcad Brooks is back as Detective Jalen Shaw. Shaw is a calm and professional detective who always follows the law. He provides a good balance to his partner, Vincent Riley. Shaw has become a fan favorite because of his dedication to finding the truth in every case.
Odelya Halevi as Samantha Maroun
Odelya Halevi returns as Samantha Maroun. She works closely with Nolan Price in the DA’s office. Maroun often provides a unique perspective on cases based on her personal background. Her character continues to grow as she takes on more responsibility in the courtroom during Season 24.
Why Did Sam Waterston Leave Law & Order?
Many fans searched for the reason behind Sam Waterston’s exit in 2024. After playing Jack McCoy since 1994, Waterston decided it was the right time to move on to new projects. In a statement to the fans, he mentioned that he wanted to see what was next for him after such a long time on one show. His departure was respectful, and the creators of the show made sure he had a heroic send-off. This allowed the show to transition into a new era with Tony Goldwyn.
Law & Order: SVU 2024 Cast Updates
It is also helpful to look at the other shows in the franchise. Many fans who follow the main Law and Order cast 2024 also watch Law & Order: Special Victims Unit (SVU).
- Mariska Hargitay: She continues to lead SVU as Captain Olivia Benson. She is now the longest-running character in the entire franchise.
- Ice-T: He remains a staple of the show as Sergeant Odafin “Fin” Tutuola.
- Peter Scanavino: He continues his role as ADA Sonny Carisi, linking the police work to the legal side.
- Kevin Kane and Aimé Donna Kelly: These actors have also seen increased roles in the 2024 season of SVU.
SVU Update: Amanda Rollins is Back!
For fans of Law & Order: SVU, 2026 brought great news. Kelli Giddish returned as Sergeant Amanda Rollins. She is now a main part of the team again in Season 27. Fans missed her, and her return has made the show even better this year.
Guest Stars and Recurring Roles
Law & Order is famous for its guest stars. In 2024, the show continues to bring in talented actors for one-off episodes. Ryan Eggold, known from New Amsterdam, appeared in Season 24 as the brother of Detective Vincent Riley. These guest roles are important because they help explore the personal lives of the main characters. They make the show feel more like a real community rather than just a workplace.
How the Cast Changes Affect the Stories
With new leaders like Nicholas Baxter and Jessica Brady, the stories in 2024 feel different. There is more focus on the pressure of the job.
- New Leadership: Baxter’s focus on politics means the prosecutors have to be more careful.
- New Tactics: Lieutenant Brady has a high-tech and analytical approach to solving crimes.
- New Partners: The partnership between Shaw and Riley is still developing, leading to better teamwork in the field.
Where to Watch Law & Order Season 24
If you want to see the Law and Order cast 2024 in action, you can find the show on several platforms.
- NBC: The show airs live on NBC on Thursday nights.
- Peacock: You can stream new episodes the day after they air on the Peacock streaming service.
- Hulu: Some past seasons are available on Hulu for those who want to catch up on the transition from Jack McCoy to Nicholas Baxter.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Who is the new actor in Law and Order 2024?
The primary new actors in 2024 are Tony Goldwyn, who plays DA Nicholas Baxter, and Maura Tierney, who plays Lieutenant Jessica Brady. Reid Scott also joined the main cast as Detective Vincent Riley.
Who is the longest-running cast member in Law & Order?
In the original series, Sam Waterston held the record. However, across the whole franchise, Mariska Hargitay from SVU is the longest-running cast member, having played Olivia Benson since 1999.
Is Sam Waterston still on Law and Order?
No, Sam Waterston left the show in February 2024. His character, Jack McCoy, resigned as District Attorney. He was replaced by Tony Goldwyn’s character.
Who replaced Lieutenant Dixon in Season 24?
Maura Tierney replaced Camryn Manheim (Lieutenant Dixon). Tierney plays the new character Lieutenant Jessica Brady, who now leads the homicide squad.
Will there be a Law & Order Season 25?
While NBC has not officially announced every detail, the franchise remains very popular. Given the success of the Law and Order cast 2024, fans expect the show to continue for many more years.
Conclusion
The Law and Order cast 2024 has successfully moved the show into a new chapter. Losing Jack McCoy was a big change, but Tony Goldwyn and Maura Tierney have brought new energy to the series. Whether you are watching the senior detectives solve crimes or the prosecutors fighting in court, the current cast provides the high-quality drama that fans expect. For more updates on your favorite TV shows and cast guides, stay tuned to our website.
Disclaimer:
We provide this guide for information only. We try our best to share correct and new facts about the show’s cast. However, we do not work for NBC or the show creators. Sometimes, cast lists can change without notice. Please check official TV schedules for the latest news. We are not responsible for any errors in this post.
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