Law & Order Cast 2025: Shocking Exits, Major New Detectives, And The Full Lineup For All Three Shows

The Law & Order universe is set for one of its most dramatic cast shakeups in recent memory as the franchise heads into its 2025 seasons, promising fresh faces and shocking departures across the board. As of December 18, 2025, fans of the flagship series, Law & Order, will have to prepare to say goodbye to a beloved detective while welcoming a new Lieutenant and a completely new face to the 27th Precinct.

This comprehensive guide breaks down the full 2025 cast for all three interconnected Dick Wolf crime dramas—Law & Order (Season 25), Law & Order: Special Victims Unit (Season 26), and Law & Order: Organized Crime (Season 5)—highlighting every confirmed returning star, new addition, and significant exit that will define the upcoming year in New York City's criminal justice system. The topical authority of the franchise remains strong, but the dynamics are changing drastically.

Law & Order (Flagship Series) Season 25: The Full 2025 Roster and Major Departures

The original Law & Order is barreling into its 25th season with a significant overhaul to its police half, ensuring the classic "police procedural" and "courtroom drama" split feels as fresh as ever. The biggest news is the confirmed exit of a lead detective, which has paved the way for a new dynamic duo and the promotion of a familiar face.

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Cast Biography and Character Profiles for 2025

• Tony Goldwyn as District Attorney Nicholas Baxter: Goldwyn joined the cast in 2024, replacing Sam Waterston's iconic Jack McCoy. As the new District Attorney, Baxter brings a pragmatic, politically savvy, and often challenging perspective to the prosecution's office, setting the tone for the entire legal side of the show.
• Hugh Dancy as Executive ADA Nolan Price: Price remains the dedicated, morally complex prosecutor who works closely with his team to secure convictions. Dancy’s portrayal has been a cornerstone of the revival, focusing on the ethical tightrope walk of modern law.
• Odelya Halevi as ADA Samantha Maroun: As the junior Assistant District Attorney, Maroun provides the grounding perspective to Price. Her character's sharp intellect and commitment to justice are essential to the courtroom drama.
• Maura Tierney as Lieutenant Jessica Brady: Tierney has been promoted to a series regular as Lieutenant Brady, the commanding officer of the 27th Precinct. Her character steps into a significant leadership role, overseeing the detectives and managing the political pressures that often influence police work.
• Reid Scott as Detective Vincent Riley: Riley is the established detective who will now lead the investigative half of the partnership. Scott's character is known for his sharp investigative skills and grounded approach to solving cases in the NYPD.
• David Ajala as Detective Theo Walker (New Cast Member): Ajala joins the cast to fill the void left by Detective Shaw. Walker is expected to be Riley's new partner, bringing a fresh personality and a different investigative style to the squad.

The Shocking Exit of Detective Jalen Shaw

The most impactful change for the 25th season is the departure of Mehcad Brooks, who played Detective Jalen Shaw. Shaw had been a central figure in the police half of the show, and his exit creates a significant shift in the precinct's dynamic. While the official reasons for the character's departure have not been fully explored on-screen, the reality of the Law & Order franchise is its willingness to rotate cast members to keep the procedural elements fresh and the storylines grounded in new character conflicts.

The introduction of David Ajala as Detective Theo Walker is a direct response to this vacancy. Ajala, known for his work on other high-profile series, is expected to bring a compelling new energy to the partnership with Detective Riley. The dynamic between Riley and Walker will be a key LSI (Latent Semantic Indexing) element for the upcoming season, as fans tune in to see how the new team gels.

Law & Order: Special Victims Unit (SVU) Season 26 Cast Updates

As the longest-running primetime live-action series in television history, Law & Order: Special Victims Unit is returning for its unprecedented 26th season in 2025. The stability of the SVU cast is a major draw for the show's massive fanbase, and the 2025 lineup reflects this consistency, though it's not without its own compelling twists.

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The Core SVU Team in 2025

The heart of SVU remains its commanding officer and the squad she leads. The 2025 season is expected to feature the following core cast members, maintaining the show's high topical authority on sensitive issues:

• Mariska Hargitay as Captain Olivia Benson: Benson remains the anchor of the entire Law & Order universe. Her journey continues to explore the emotional and professional toll of leading the Special Victims Unit.
• Ice-T as Sergeant Odafin "Fin" Tutuola: Fin’s presence provides essential continuity and a veteran perspective on the often-brutal cases the squad handles. Ice-T is a pillar of the franchise.
• Peter Scanavino as ADA Dominick "Sonny" Carisi: Carisi has fully transitioned from detective to Assistant District Attorney. His relationship with Benson and his work in the courtroom will continue to be a central focus of the legal side of the SVU cases.
• Octavio Pisano as Detective Joe Velasco: Velasco continues his tenure as a key detective in the squad, often taking the lead on field investigations.

The Potential Return of Kelli Giddish

A significant entity for SVU fans is Kelli Giddish, who played Detective Amanda Rollins. While she officially departed as a series regular, she has made notable guest appearances. The ongoing possibility of her return, especially in cross-over events or for major life events, keeps the door open for fan-favorite moments in the 2025 season. Her character's relationship with Carisi is a key LSI element that drives viewership.

Law & Order: Organized Crime (OC) Season 5: New Faces and Stabler's Future

Law & Order: Organized Crime, the newest spin-off, returns for its 5th season in 2025, continuing the highly serialized story of Detective Elliot Stabler and the Organized Crime Control Bureau. The 2025 season is set to introduce a major new player, signaling a fresh narrative direction for Stabler's unit.

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Organized Crime Control Bureau Cast for 2025

The cast for Organized Crime Season 5 is built around a tight-knit team, focused on taking down New York’s most powerful criminal syndicates. The team’s dynamics are a key factor in the show's success.

• Christopher Meloni as Detective Elliot Stabler: Stabler remains the driving force of the show, dedicated to dismantling organized crime networks. His personal and professional life, including the long-running "Benson and Stabler" dynamic (known as "Bensler" by fans), will continue to be a major LSI keyword.
• Danielle Moné Truitt as Sergeant Ayanna Bell: Bell is Stabler’s commanding officer and a crucial figure in the OCCB. Her leadership and personal struggles provide a grounding element to the high-stakes world of organized crime.
• Ainsley Seiger as Detective Jet Slootmaekers: Jet is the unit’s tech expert, whose skills are indispensable in tracking down sophisticated criminals. Her character's growth and unique personality are a fan favorite.
• Rick Gonzalez as Detective Bobby Reyes: Reyes is a key member of the OCCB, known for his undercover work and street smarts.

Jason Patric Joins the Organized Crime Ranks

The most exciting new addition to the Organized Crime cast for Season 5 is veteran actor Jason Patric. Patric will join the team in a significant role, though the exact details of his character—whether he is a new detective, a commanding officer, or perhaps a temporary task force leader—are being kept under wraps. His casting suggests a major new storyline that will challenge Stabler and Bell, potentially bringing in a darker, more cinematic tone to the series, which is a key differentiator from the other *Law & Order* shows.

The 2025 slate for the entire Law & Order universe is defined by change. From the flagship show's new detective partnership and Lieutenant Brady’s command to the continued stability of Captain Benson’s SVU and the high-profile addition of Jason Patric to Organized Crime, the franchise is ensuring that its next seasons are full of fresh conflicts, new character dynamics, and the compelling legal and police work that has made Dick Wolf's universe an enduring television phenomenon.