Law & Order

Western series

Law & Order (1990)

  • Crime
  • Drama

Airing Ep 3/549 · next episode: Ep 4, Oct 29, 2026

7.3/10 Drama4U Score · from 737 TMDB votes · How the score works

Law & Order (1990) guide: the NBC crime drama's premise, cast including Sam Waterston and Jerry Orbach, episodes and where to watch legally in the US.

Law & Order plot summary

Set in New York City, Law & Order follows a crime from two angles: the investigation and the prosecution. Each story usually opens with the discovery of a serious offence, often a killing. Homicide detectives then visit the scene, follow leads, interview witnesses and press suspects until they can make an arrest.

The arrest is not the end of the story. The case then passes to the Manhattan District Attorney’s office, where prosecutors decide how to charge the suspect, negotiate with defence lawyers and prepare for trial. They must prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt, and the evidence the police gathered does not always hold up in a courtroom.

This two-part structure is central to the series. It shows how police work and criminal law rely on each other, and how the criminal justice system can test both sides. Most episodes are built around a self-contained case, so viewers can start with almost any instalment. The series tagline, “Truth matters.”, sums up its focus on evidence, procedure and accountability.

Law & Order — Mood illustration, not a still from the series
Mood illustration, not a still from the series

Review guide: what makes Law & Order notable

  • Creator and network: Created by Dick Wolf, Law & Order is an American crime and legal drama that has aired on NBC since its premiere on 13 September 1990.
  • Format: It is a returning series with 26 seasons and 549 episodes listed so far. Episodes run about 42 minutes. The original run continued through season 20, which premiered in 2009. The show returned with season 21 in February 2022. Season 26 premiered on 8 October 2026, and new episodes are still being released.
  • Cast: The ensemble has changed over the decades. Sam Waterston plays prosecutor Jack McCoy, and S. Epatha Merkerson plays Lt. Anita Van Buren. Jerry Orbach plays detective Lennie Briscoe, and Steven Hill plays District Attorney Adam Schiff. Other key cast members include:
    • Jesse L. Martin as Ed Green
    • Leslie Hendrix as medical examiner Elizabeth Rodgers
    • Fred Thompson as Arthur Branch
    • Chris Noth as Mike Logan
    • Benjamin Bratt as Rey Curtis
    • Hugh Dancy as Nolan Price
  • Behind the camera: A large rotation of writers and directors has worked on the series. Writers include René Balcer, Richard Sweren, Ed Zuckerman and Rick Eid. Directors include Constantine Makris, Edwin Sherin and Jace Alexander.
  • Content rating: TV-14 in the US.

Who will enjoy Law & Order

  • Viewers who like procedural crime stories with a clear case-of-the-week structure
  • Fans of courtroom and legal dramas centred on prosecutors and trial strategy
  • Anyone interested in how investigations and criminal law intersect in New York City
  • Viewers who prefer self-contained episodes they can start at almost any point
  • Fans of long-running ensemble series with evolving casts

Where to watch Law & Order in the US

Several official US platforms list Law & Order. Availability of individual seasons can differ between services.

  • Subscription:
    • Netflix (including Netflix Standard with Ads)
    • Hulu
    • Peacock Premium and Peacock Premium Plus
    • fuboTV
    • Philo
    • YouTube TV
  • Free with ads: NBC
  • Buy:
    • Amazon Video
    • Apple TV Store
    • Google Play Movies
    • Fandango At Home

The series is still airing, so new episodes continue to arrive on NBC.

Trailer

Cast

  • Sam WaterstonSam Waterstonas Jack McCoy405 episodes
  • S. Epatha MerkersonS. Epatha Merkersonas Anita Van Buren / Denise Winters391 episodes
  • Jerry OrbachJerry Orbachas Lennie Briscoe / Frank Lehrman274 episodes
  • Steven HillSteven Hillas Adam Schiff229 episodes
  • Jesse L. MartinJesse L. Martinas Ed Green202 episodes
  • Leslie HendrixLeslie Hendrixas Elizabeth Rodgers142 episodes
  • Fred ThompsonFred Thompsonas Arthur Branch116 episodes
  • Chris NothChris Nothas Mike Logan111 episodes

Photo: TMDB

Episode guide

SeasonEpisodeOriginal air date
261Aired
262Aired
263Aired
264Upcoming
265Upcoming

Dates are original broadcast dates in the country of origin (Korea/China). Official streaming platforms in your country may add episodes the same day or later.

FAQ

How many episodes of Law & Order are there?
There are 549 episodes listed so far across 26 seasons, each running about 42 minutes. The series is still airing, so the total will continue to grow.
When did Law & Order first premiere?
Law & Order premiered on NBC on 13 September 1990. It returned with season 21 in February 2022, and season 26 premiered on 8 October 2026.
Who is in the cast of Law & Order?
The main cast includes Sam Waterston as Jack McCoy and S. Epatha Merkerson as Anita Van Buren. Jerry Orbach plays Lennie Briscoe, Steven Hill plays Adam Schiff and Jesse L. Martin plays Ed Green. Chris Noth, Benjamin Bratt, Fred Thompson, Leslie Hendrix and Hugh Dancy also appear.
Where can I watch Law & Order legally in the US?
It is listed on several subscription services: Netflix, Hulu, Peacock Premium, Peacock Premium Plus, fuboTV, Philo and YouTube TV. NBC offers it free with ads. You can also buy it on Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies and Fandango At Home.
What genre is Law & Order?
It is a crime drama that combines a police procedural with a legal drama. Homicide detectives investigate a case, and prosecutors then take it to court.

Sources

  1. TMDB
  2. IMDb

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