Law & Order Loses Reid Scott for Season 26 as James Badge Dale Joins Cast

Q: Can 'Law & Order's' streaming boom save it from its new late-night time slot and declining viewership?

Yes—streaming is likely the main reason NBC can afford to keep “Law & Order” viable despite a weaker linear outlook, but it is not a guarantee on its own. The risk is real. The flagship series is moving to Thursdays at 10 p.m., a later slot that usually draws smaller live audiences than 8 p.m. It has also been one of NBC’s weaker renewed scripted performers, with reports of a 20% drop in the 18-49 demo in Season 25 and budget pressure around the renewal. Cast turnover, including Reid Scott’s exit, adds another layer of uncertainty as Season 26 begins. What offsets that is the show’s strong multiplatform performance. Season 25 reportedly posted a 56% year-over-year streaming increase on Peacock, its best streaming result since the revival. Broader audience data also suggest “Law & Order” reaches well beyond its same-night ratings, with roughly 4.8 million Live+7 viewers and about 6.6 million across 35 days and platforms. That gap matters: it shows the series is finding a sizable audience after broadcast, especially on Peacock. The new schedule may even help somewhat. Airing after “SVU” gives NBC a full “Law & Order” block and a stronger promotional flow, which executives have cited as part of the strategy. So streaming probably can cushion the damage from the later hour and declining live ratings. But “save” is too strong if costs keep rising or linear erosion accelerates. For now, Peacock growth appears to be the show’s clearest protection.

3 articles · Updated · tvline.com · Jul 23

Reid Scott is leaving “Law & Order” ahead of Season 26, ending his run as Det. Vincent Riley after joining the NBC drama in Season 23.
Deadline reported Scott chose to exit because the California-based actor no longer wanted to spend much of the year away from his family while the series films in New York City.
James Badge Dale will join Season 26 as a senior detective, while Scott is expected to appear in some upcoming episodes to give Riley a proper send-off.
Season 26 premieres Oct. 8 in a new Thursday 10/9c slot, with Hugh Dancy, Tony Goldwyn, Maura Tierney and Odelya Halevi returning.