Law & Order Secured for Season 26 at NBC; Renewal Not Positioned as Series Finale

NBC is moving forward with a 26th season of Law & Order, marking another chapter for the long-running procedural drama.

According to reports, the network is poised to formally announce the renewal, with the decision finalized just ahead of the May upfronts presentation to advertisers. The timing was critical, as NBC needed to settle on its fall slate before the industry event.

The original series joins SVU in returning for another season, though Organized Crime has been canceled. The network's decision on Law & Order had been pending as the upfronts approached.

Notably, NBC is not branding the upcoming season as a finale, leaving the door open for potential future installments. This approach differs from the show's previous cancellation in 2010, when the network abruptly ended the series. Law & Order subsequently made a comeback following a 12-year hiatus, and viewers have expressed hope that any future cancellation would allow for a more deliberate conclusion rather than an unexpected shutdown.

The renewal continues NBC's ongoing adjustments to its programming slate, with various series receiving cancellations and renewals in recent months.