The 20th season of ''

Law & Order ''Law & Order'' is an American police procedural and legal drama television series created by Dick Wolf and produced by Wolf Entertainment, launching the '' Law & Order'' franchise. ''Law & Order'' aired its entire run on NBC, premiering on ...

'' premiered on

NBC The National Broadcasting Company (NBC) is an Television in the United States, American English-language Commercial broadcasting, commercial television network, broadcast television and radio network. The flagship property of the NBC Enterta ...

on September 25, 2009 which remained unchanged, for which it was moved from its previous

time slot Broadcast programming is the practice of organizing or ordering (scheduling) of broadcast media shows, typically radio and television, in a daily, weekly, monthly, quarterly or season-long schedule. Modern broadcasters use broadcast automation ...

to air on Fridays at 8 p.m. ET for the

broadcast. ''L&O'' was moved to Monday nights on March 1, 2010, with a two-hour telecast at 9 p.m. ET, before settling into its new time slot at 10 p.m. the following week, March 8. During the season, ''

The Jay Leno Show ''The Jay Leno Show'' is a talk show created and hosted by Jay Leno. Premiering on NBC on September 14, 2009, the program aired on weeknights at 10:00 p.m. ET/ PT through February 9, 2010. The program was modeled upon the format of a late ...

'' in primetime was canceled, and Leno returned to the 11:35 pm ''

Tonight Show ''The Tonight Show'' is an American late-night talk show that has aired on NBC since 1954. The show has been hosted by six comedians: Steve Allen (1954–1957), Jack Paar (1957–1962), Johnny Carson (1962–1992), Jay Leno (1992–2009 and 2010� ...

'' because of affiliate dissatisfaction. Three more episodes of ''Law & Order'' were ordered to fill the primetime gap, increasing the number of episodes for the season to 23. In early January 2010, NBC initially announced they were going to renew ''Law & Order'' for a 21st season. NBC's President of Primetime Entertainment at the time, Angela Bromstad, said, "I’m a "Law & Order" junkie... I wouldn’t want to be responsible for not having "Law & Order" break the record." However, on May 14, 2010, NBC abruptly cancelled ''Law & Order'' after 20 seasons on the air, tying it with ''

Gunsmoke ''Gunsmoke'' is an American radio and television Western drama series created by director Norman Macdonnell and writer John Meston. It centers on Dodge City, Kansas, in the 1870s, during the settlement of the American West. The central character ...

'' as American network television's longest-running, regularly scheduled primetime drama. The final episode aired on

on May 24, 2010. The late announcement of the cancellation resulted in ''Law & Order'' not having a "series finale" episode. Had the series continued, it would have been the last to feature

S. Epatha Merkerson Sharon Epatha Merkerson (born November 28, 1952) is a film, stage, and television actor. Known by her stage name S. Epatha Merkerson, she has received numerous high-profile accolades for her work, including an Emmy Award, a Golden Globe Award, ...

, who prior to the cancellation announcement had herself announced that she would not return for the 21st season. Although NBC canceled ''Law & Order'',

AMC Network AMC is an American multinational basic cable television channel that is the flagship property of AMC Networks. The channel's programming primarily consists of theatrically released films, along with a limited amount of original programming. ...

investigated its revival; however, attempts to revive the series failed, and according to series creator Dick Wolf, the series has "moved to the history books". However, on September 28, 2021, NBC announced that the show was being revived and a 21st season had been ordered.

Cast

Main cast

Jeremy Sisto Jeremy Merton Sisto (born October 6, 1974) is an American actor. He is known for his roles as Billy Chenowith in HBO's '' Six Feet Under'', NYPD Detective Cyrus Lupo in NBC's '' Law & Order'', George Altman in the ABC sitcom ''Suburgatory'', fo ...

as Senior Detective

Cyrus Lupo Det. Cyrus "Lupes" Lupo is a fictional character on the long-running NBC series ''Law & Order'', played by Jeremy Sisto. He replaced Nina Cassady, who was written out of the show due to Milena Govich's departure from the cast. He appeared in 6 ...

Anthony Anderson Anthony Anderson (born August 15, 1970) is an American actor, comedian and game show host. He is best known for his leading roles in drama series such as Marlin Boulet on '' K-Ville'', and as NYPD Detective Kevin Bernard on the NBC crime drama ' ...

as Junior Detective

Kevin Bernard Kevin Bernard is a fictional character on the NBC crime drama ''Law & Order'', portrayed by Anthony Anderson. Bernard appears in his position as a junior detective for part of the eighteenth season through what was at the time the final twenti ...

as Lieutenant

Anita Van Buren Anita Van Buren was a fictional character on NBC's long-running police procedural and legal drama television series '' Law & Order'', portrayed by S. Epatha Merkerson. The character of Van Buren was an "authoritative lieutenant" in the New Yor ...

Linus Roache Linus William Roache (born 1 February 1964) is a British actor. He is known for playing Executive ADA Michael Cutter in the NBC dramas ''Law & Order'' (2008–2010) and '' Law & Order: Special Victims Unit'' (2011–2012). More recently, Roach ...

as Executive Assistant District Attorney

Michael Cutter Michael Cutter is a fictional character on the long-running NBC series '' Law & Order'' and its spinoff '' Law & Order: Special Victims Unit'' portrayed by Linus Roache. The character debuted in the eighteenth season premiere of ''Law & Order'', ...

Alana de la Garza Alana de la Garza (born June 18, 1976) is an American actress. She is known for her roles as Connie Rubirosa on the NBC television series ''Law & Order'' in its last four seasons through 2010, ''Law & Order: LA'' until the show's conclusion in 2 ...

as Assistant District Attorney

Connie Rubirosa Consuela Rubirosa is a fictional character, portrayed by Alana de la Garza, who joined the cast of long-running NBC drama series ''Law & Order'' during the 17th-season premiere episode "Fame". She is the only second-chair assistant district att ...

Sam Waterston Samuel Atkinson Waterston (born November 15, 1940) is an American actor. Waterston is known for his work in theater, television and, film. He has received a Primetime Emmy Award, Golden Globe Award, and Screen Actors Guild Award, and has receive ...

as District Attorney

Jack McCoy John James McCoy is a fictional character in the television drama ''Law & Order''. He was created by Dick Wolf and Michael S. Chernuchin and has been portrayed by Sam Waterston during both the show's original run from 1994 to 2010 and since it ...

Recurring cast

Leslie Hendrix Leslie Hendrix is an American actress. She is best known for playing the role of medical examiner Elizabeth Rodgers on four ''Law & Order'' series (''Law & Order'', '' Law & Order: Special Victims Unit'', '' Law & Order: Criminal Intent'' and '' ...

as M.E. Dr. Elizabeth Rodgers *

Ernie Hudson Earnest Lee Hudson (born December 17, 1945) is an American actor. His roles include Winston Zeddemore in the ''Ghostbusters'' film series, Sergeant Darryl Albrecht in ''The Crow'' (1994), and Warden Leo Glynn on HBO's '' Oz'' (1997–2003). Hu ...

as Frank Gibson *

Carolyn McCormick Carolyn Inez McCormick (born September 19, 1959) is an American actress who played Dr. Elizabeth Olivet in the ''Law & Order'' franchise. Life and career McCormick was born and raised in Midland, Texas, and graduated first in her class from ...

as Dr.

Elizabeth Olivet Dr Elizabeth Olivet is a fictional character on the TV crime drama '' Law & Order''. She was portrayed by Carolyn McCormick from 1991 to 1997 and in 1999. The character was revived in 2002, although her appearances became much more infrequent; h ...

J. K. Simmons Jonathan Kimble Simmons (born January 9, 1955) is an American actor, considered one of the most prolific and well-established character actors of his generation. He has appeared in over 200 films and television roles since his debut in 1986. He i ...

as Dr. Emil Skoda

Notable guest stars

In addition to above, ''Law & Order's'' notable guest stars included Annaleigh Ashford,

Adam Driver Adam Douglas Driver (born November 19, 1983) is an American actor. He is the recipient of various accolades, including nominations for two Academy Awards, four Primetime Emmy Awards and a Tony Award; making him one of few performers nominated ...

David Alan Basche David Alan Basche (born August 25, 1968) is an American actor. He is best known for playing Todd Beamer in the film '' United 93'', directed by Paul Greengrass. He has been a series regular on many TV comedies and dramas, and has also appeared in ...

Ned Eisenberg Ned Eisenberg (January 13, 1957 – February 27, 2022) was an American actor known for his recurring role on '' Law & Order: Special Victims Unit'' as Roger Kressler. Early life and education Eisenberg grew up in the Riverdale neighborhood of ...

Camille Chen Camille Chen (born September 1, 1979) is a Taiwanese-born American actress. Early life, education, and career Born in Taiwan but raised in the U.S., Chen attended the University of Texas at Austin and then began her career in show business, do ...

, John Bolger,

Sean Nelson Sean Nelson (born June 12, 1973) is an American musician and journalist. He was the lead singer of the alternative rock group Harvey Danger and is the arts editor for '' The Stranger'' newspaper in Seattle, Washington. Music career Nelson i ...

Portia Reiners Portia Sullivan Reiners (born March 8, 1990) is an American actress. She has worked in theater, television, and film. Her television career includes the role of Britney Jennings on ''One Life to Live''. Career Reiners began her acting career in t ...

Jim Gaffigan James Christopher Gaffigan (born July 7, 1966) is an American stand-up comedian, actor, writer, and producer. His material often addresses fatherhood, laziness, food, religion, and general observations. He is regarded as a "clean" comic, using l ...

, Richard Thomas, Bill Sage,

Deirdre O'Connell Eleanore Deirdre O'Connell (16 June 1939 – 9 June 2001) was an Irish American actress, singer, and theatre director who founded the Focus Theatre in Dublin, Ireland. Biography O'Connell was born in the South Bronx district of New York City, o ...

Rob Corddry Robert William Corddry (born February 4, 1971) is an American actor and comedian. He is known for his work as a correspondent on ''The Daily Show with Jon Stewart'' (2002–2006) and for his starring role in the film ''Hot Tub Time Machine''. He ...

Jenna Stern Jenna Stern is an American actress who appeared in the play "Skyscraper". Stern is the daughter of actress Samantha Eggar and actor and producer Tom Stern. Her brothers are Nicolas Stern and Cameron Cash. Stern is married to actor Brennan Brow ...

, Kate Burton,

Elliott Gould Elliott Gould (; né Goldstein; born August 29, 1938) is an American actor. He began acting in Hollywood films during the 1960s. Elliott's breakthrough role was in the ''Bob & Carol & Ted & Alice'' (1969), for which he received a nomination f ...

Peter Scanavino Peter Muller Scanavino (born February 29, 1980) is an American actor. He currently stars as ADA Dominick "Sonny" Carisi Jr. in the long-running NBC crime/legal drama series '' Law & Order: Special Victims Unit''. Career Since 2005, Scanavino ha ...

Raúl Esparza Raúl Eduardo Esparza (born October 24, 1970) is an American stage, screen, and voice actor. Considered one of Broadway's leading men since the 2000s, he is best known for his Tony Award-nominated performance as Bobby in the 2006 Broadway reviva ...

Samantha Bee Samantha Anne Bee (born October 25, 1969) is a Canadian-American comedian, writer, producer, political commentator, actress, and television host. Bee rose to fame as a correspondent on ''The Daily Show with Jon Stewart'', where she became the ...

Rebecca Creskoff Rebecca Creskoff (born February 1, 1971) is an American actress. Career Creskoff graduated from the University of Pennsylvania before attending New York University, where she received her master of fine arts degree. She has guest-starred in a nu ...

, Aaron Shaw,

Debra Winger Debra Lynn Wingerhttps://www.pressreader.com/usa/closer-weekly/20200511/282084868951188https://www.discountmags.com/magazine/closer-weekly-may-11-2020-digital/in-this-issue/99961 (born May 16, 1955)https://www.google.co.uk/books/edition/The_Inter ...

Adriane Lenox Adriane Lenox is an American actress, best known for her performances in Broadway theatre. Her performance in the play ''Doubt: A Parable'' garnered her the Tony Award for Best Featured Actress in a Play in 2005. She received another Tony Award ...

, Julito McCullum,

Tammy Blanchard Tammy Blanchard (born December 14, 1976) is an American actress. She rose to prominence for her role as teenage Judy Garland in the critically acclaimed television film '' Life with Judy Garland: Me and My Shadows'' (2001), for which she received ...

Tony Hale Anthony Russell Hale (born September 30, 1970) is an American actor and comedian. He is known for his role in the Fox comedy series ''Arrested Development'' as Buster Bluth. Hale played Gary Walsh on the HBO comedy ''Veep'' from 2012 until its ...

, Tony Roberts,

Robin Weigert Robin Weigert (born July 7, 1969) is an American television and film actress. She is best known for portraying Calamity Jane on the television series '' Deadwood'' (2004–2006), for which she received a nomination for the Primetime Emmy Award f ...

Mark Linn-Baker Mark Linn-Baker (born June 17, 1954) is an American actor and director who played Benjy Stone in the film ''My Favorite Year'' and Larry Appleton in the television sitcom '' Perfect Strangers''. Early life and education Mark Linn-Baker was bor ...

Clea DuVall Clea Helen D'Etienne DuVall (born September 25, 1977) is an American actress, writer, producer, and director. She is known for her appearances in the films ''The Faculty'' (1998), '' She's All That''; '' But I'm a Cheerleader''; ''Girl, Interrup ...

, Doug E. Doug,

David Costabile David Costabile (; born January 9, 1967) is an American actor. He is best known for his television work, having appeared in supporting roles in several television series such as '' Billions'', ''Breaking Bad'', ''Damages'', ''Flight of the Conch ...

Anna Gunn Anna Gunn (born August 11, 1968) is an American actress. She is best known for her role as Skyler White on the AMC drama series ''Breaking Bad'' (2008–2013), for which she won the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a D ...

Lindsey Vonn Lindsey Caroline Vonn ( ; born October 18, 1984) is an American former World Cup alpine ski racer on the US Ski Team. She won four World Cup overall championships — second only amongst female skiers to Annemarie Moser-Pröll — with three ...

Kathy Baker } Katherine Whitton Baker (born June 8, 1950) is an American actress. Baker began her career in theater and made her screen debut in the 1983 drama film '' The Right Stuff''. She received the National Society of Film Critics Award for Best Suppor ...

Ben Schnetzer Benjamin Schnetzer (born February 8, 1990) is an American actor. He was nominated for two British Independent Film Awards for his performance in the film ''Pride'' (2014). Early life Schnetzer was born and raised in New York City, the son of a ...

Jonathan Cake Jonathan James Cake (born 31 August 1967) is an English actor who has worked on various TV programmes and films. His notable screen roles include Jack Favell in ''Rebecca'' (1997), Oswald Mosley in '' Mosley'' (1997), Japheth in the NBC televisi ...

Amy Madigan Amy Marie Madigan (born September 11, 1950) is an American actress. She was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress for the 1985 film '' Twice in a Lifetime''. Her other film credits include '' Love Child'' (1982), ''Places ...

, and

Benjamin Bratt Benjamin Bratt (born December 16, 1963) is an American actor and producer who has worked in film and on television. He had supporting roles in the 1990s in such box office hits as ''Demolition Man'' (1993), ''Clear and Present Danger'' (1994), ...

Rey Curtis Reynaldo Curtis is a fictional character on the TV drama '' Law & Order'', created by Ed Zuckerman and portrayed by Benjamin Bratt from 1995 to 1999. He appeared in 98 episodes (95 episodes of ''Law & Order'' and three episodes of '' Homicide: Li ...

Episodes

References

External links

Episode guide from NBC.com
{{DEFAULTSORT:Law And Order episodes (season 20), List of 20 2009 American television seasons 2010 American television seasons