When “Law & Order” first premiered in 1990, no one could have predicted that the show would still be going strong in 2025. Yet, here we are, eagerly awaiting Season 25 of the hit NBC series.
Luckily, fans of the show won’t have to wait long as the next season is set to premiere Thursday, Sept. 25, at 8 p.m. ET.
Since its debut, “Law & Order” has inspired several spinoff series, including “Special Victims Unit” and “Organized Crime.” The former will mark its season premiere on the same night as “Law & Order,” giving fans a double dose of drama. The most recent season of “Organized Crime,” which aired on Peacock, will run in the 10 p.m. time slot.
Before viewers follow their favorite characters back into the courtroom, here’s a look at the cast for Season 25.
The Legal Team
Tony Goldwyn — District Attorney Nicholas Baxter
Tony Goldwyn officially joined the cast of “Law & Order” as District Attorney Nicholas Baxter in Season 23 of the show in 2024, replacing Sam Waterston. However, the actor was previously a guest star on “Criminal Intent” on multiple occasions.
Over the summer, Goldwyn appeared on TODAY with Jenna & Friends to discuss his role on the series. While speaking with Jenna Bush Hager, the star said his experience on the show has been awesome so far.
“It’s just a great group of people, and it’s a New York institution,” he said.
Last season, viewers also saw a bit of Baxter’s home life, when he recused himself from a case after the defense attorney he was dating at the time was involved.
“I especially thought this episode was so well done,” Goldwyn told TODAY.com. “It’s so nice because the cases are always interesting on ‘Law & Order,’ but to be able to bring in our personal lives and to discover more about the characters, it just makes it more interesting to play and explore.”
Hugh Dancy — Executive Assistant District Attorney Nolan Price
In 2022, Hugh Dancy joined the cast of “Law & Order” as Executive Assistant District Attorney Nolan Price when the show returned to the air after 12 years away.
In a full-circle moment of sorts, the actor’s wife, Claire Danes, once appeared on the show in 1992.
“She’s guilty as sin, clearly,” Dancy joked on TODAY in 2022 after watching a clip of Danes’ appearance on “L&O.”
Since portraying the EADA, Dancy has had the chance to go toe-to-toe with both Waterston and Goldwyn.
Price had a difficult time adjusting to working with new boss Baxter after Waterston’s Jack McCoy stepped down as the DA.
“Nick Baxter is trying to put his team together, and as these initial episodes evolve, you’re really going to see Nolan Price, Hugh Dancy’s character, and I kind of sniffing each other out,” Goldwyn told TODAY.com in 2024. “They’re trying to figure out where we come from, so there’s quite a lot of tension in addition to some really interesting cases that I was really happy to see.”
Last season, Price also got a visit from his brother, played by Justin Chatwin, who told him their father was dying. In a storyline similar to the events of the case he was trying, Price had to decide whether to take measures to prolong his father’s life or let him go.
Odelya Halevi — Assistant District Attorney Samantha Maroun
Like Dancy when “L&O” returned in 2022, Odelya Halevi joined the cast as Assistant District Attorney Samantha Maroun, working closely with Price.
The character has a gripping backstory that resurfaced in last season’s finale. Maroun’s sister was raped and killed over a decade ago, and in the final episode of Season 24, the man believed to be behind that killing was shot and killed after he was acquitted of another murder.
This season will pick up where the last left off, and “a major lead points to ADA Maroun,” according to NBC.
The Police Team
Maura Tierney — Lt. Jessica Brady
Maura Tierney officially joined the cast of “Law & Order” in Season 24 as Lt. Jessica Brady, replacing Camryn Manheim. While appearing on TODAY in 2024, the actor said she was having “fun” exploring her new character.
“It’s weird, I almost conjured it. I was talking to a writer friend of mine, and he’s like, ‘You’ve never played a cop. Maybe we should write a show for you where you play a cop.’ And I was like, ‘That’s an interesting idea.’ And then out of nowhere, this job offer came,” she said.
Tierney said her character isn’t “very charming” and explained that she’s used to playing “warmer people.” However, she said it’s a fun challenge because her character “doesn’t really care if anybody likes her.”
Tierney also made a guest appearance during the show’s second season in 1991, just a few years before she landed her notable role on “ER.”
Reid Scott — Detective Vincent Riley
Reid Scott joined the cast of “Law & Order” in Season 23 as Detective Vincent Riley.
His character’s personal backstory last season included a troubled younger brother, Matt, played by Ryan Eggold. He was put in a difficult spot when he found out Matt was connected to the team’s murder investigation.
“These two brothers … are really pit against one another, and Vincent’s doing everything he can to help his brother not make another giant mistake. And in the end he really has to make a very difficult choice, which is to turn his brother in, kind of in an effort to save his brother because his brother just won’t save himself for his own personal reasons,” Scott told TODAY.com in a 2024 interview.
The former “Veep” star also said he’s a fan of the series highlighting the characters’ personal stories.
“It helps this show find a brand-new gear after 24 seasons,” he said at the time, “which I think is just really cool.”