Despite being off our screens for 12 years, some classic characters will be reprising their roles for Season 21 of Law & Order on NBC.
The popular crime procedural, which later spawned many spin-off series, will still feel familiar to long-time fans thanks to the returning talent—but there are also new characters joining to freshen things up. It's the third series within the Law & Order franchise to appear on television during the 2021-22 season and the ninth overall set within the same universe.
While some characters are returning, other former fan favorites won't be returning from Season 20 of Law & Order, which last aired on May 24, 2010. Here's a list of who's back, who's missing and who's joining the cast of Law & Order Season 21.
Returning for Season 21 of Law & Order
There are two headline names returning for the latest season of Law & Order, both reprising the same roles they last played 12 years ago.
First up is Anthony Anderson (Black-ish) who is back as Kevin Bernard. He was classed as a junior detective back in Season 20 but a dozen years later it's likely he's progressed through the ranks. Anderson joined Law & Order during Season 18, but his returning co-star is a comparative veteran.
The other headline name is a man who's been involved with the Law & Order franchise since Season 5. Sam Waterstone (Gracie & Frankie) returns as District Attorney Jack McCoy, a role he first played 28 years ago in 1994.
Carey Lowell is rumored to return and reprise her regular role as Defense Attorney Jamie Ross in Season 21 also. Law & Order creator Dick Wolf is returning too as an executive producer on the latest season.
There's always the possibility that former characters may return as a guest for the new season, but ahead of the show's launch on February 24, no one else has been confirmed.
New characters joining Law & Order Season 21
Law & Order veterans Anderson and Waterston won't be working alone when Season 21 begins. They've got new colleagues to help them bring justice to the streets of New York City.
Partnering up with Anderson's Kevin Bernard is Jeffrey Donovan (Burn Notice) who'll play Detective Frank Cosgrove. Camryn Manheim (The Practice) will also work in the police precinct as Lieutenant Kate Dixon.
Working alongside Waterston's Jack McCoy in the District Attorney's office is Hugh Dancy (Hannibal), who plays Executive Assistant District Attorney Nolan Price, and Odelya Halevi (Good Trouble), who'll play Assistant District Attorney Samantha Maroun.
Law and Order has been on the air for so long that some of the new cast members have actually already starred in the show but in different roles. Donovan previously played two different roles, first in 1995 then again in 2007, while Manheim starred in the first series in 1991, then again in 1993 and 1994, each time as a different character.
How to watch Law & Order Season 21
The new series of Law & Order starts on Thursday, February 24 at 8/7c.
Episode 1, "The Right Thing," airs first with each episode then playing out every Thursday night on NBC. Episode 2, "Free Speech," will air on Thursday, March 3, 2022.
New episodes will also be available to watch on NBC's streaming service Peacock.
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Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground.
About the writer
Jamie Burton is a Newsweek Senior TV and Film Reporter (Interviews) based in London, U.K. His focus is reporting on ... Read more
