The first season premiered on April 1, 2021, and was renewed for a second season originally comprising 24 episodes, though only 22 were produced.[2] The second season premiered on September 23, 2021,[3] and the series was renewed in May 2022 for a third season,[4] which premiered on September 22, 2022.[5] In April 2023, the series was renewed for a fourth season, which premiered on January 18, 2024.[6] On April 25, 2024, it was announced that the series was renewed for a fifth season and would move toPeacock.[7][8] The fifth season premiered its first two episodes on Peacock on April 17, 2025, with the first episode also having a special airing on NBC.[9]
On July 28, 2025, it was reported that the show's fifth season will re-air in its original Thursday 10 p.m. slot on NBC starting on September 25, 2025, and that NBC could decide on whether to pick it up for a sixth season based on its ratings.[10][11]
In the nation's largest city, the vicious and violent members of the underworld are hunted by the detectives of theOrganized Crime Control Bureau. These are their stories.
The series centers onLaw & Order: Special Victims Unit characterElliot Stabler, a veteran detective who returns to theNYPD in New York following his wife's murder. Stabler joins the Organized Crime Task Force, led by Sergeant Ayanna Bell.
Christopher Meloni as Detective 1st GradeElliot Stabler, a former Manhattan Special Victims Unit detective who returns to New York after retiring from the police department several years earlier. He joins a task force within the Organized Crime Control Bureau to find his wife's killers and becomes its second-in-command.
Danielle Moné Truitt as Sergeant Ayanna Bell, squad supervisor of the OCCB task force and Stabler's current direct superior and partner
Tamara Taylor as Prof. Angela Wheatley (seasons 1–2), a former math professor at Columbia University, ex-wife of Richard Wheatley, and a suspect in the hit ordered on Kathy Stabler
Ainsley Seiger as Detective 2nd Grade Jet Slootmaekers (seasons 1–5), a former independent hacker who is recruited to the OCCB task force on Stabler's recommendation. She was requalified as an NYPD officer to work with the OCCB task force. In season 3 episode 16 ("Chinatown"), she is promoted from Detective 3rd Grade to Detective 2nd Grade. In season 5, she leaves the OCCB task force to work with the FBI.
Dylan McDermott as Richard Wheatley (né Sinatra) (seasons 1–2), son of notorious mobster Manfredi Sinatra, now a businessman and owner of an online pharmaceutical company who leads a second life as a crime boss, and was a suspect in the murder of Stabler's wife. He was presumed murdered by Angela after she discovered that Wheatley murdered their son Richie.
Nona Parker Johnson as Detective 3rd Grade Carmen "Nova" Riley (season 2), an undercover narcotics detective working under Brewster's command to infiltrate the Marcy Killers. She retires from the NYPD and leaves New York after the murder of the gang's leader Preston Webb.
Brent Antonello as Detective 2nd Grade Jamie Whelan (season 3), a detective with the OCCB. Formerly at theBelle Harbor, Queens Precinct. In the season 3 finale, he is shot and paralyzed by Kyle Wilkie and later dies in the hospital.
Rick Gonzalez as Detective 2nd Grade Roberto "Bobby" Reyes (season 3–present), an undercover detective with the OCCB
Dean Norris as Randall Stabler (season 5; recurring season 4), Stabler's older brother and a real-estate developer based inFlorida
Ben Chase as Detective 1st Grade Freddie Washburn (season 1), a detective from the Narcotics unit recruited to the OCCB task force, and Bell's former senior partner in Narcotics
Michael Rivera as Detective 2nd Grade Diego Morales (season 1), a detective originally from the Gun Violence Suppression Division recruited to the OCCB task force
Shauna Harley as Pilar Wheatley (season 1; guest season 2), Richard's current wife
Nick Creegan as Richard "Richie" Wheatley Jr. (season 1; guest season 2), Richard and Prof. Angela Wheatley's older son, who aspires to follow in the family business
Jaylin Fletcher as Ryan Wheatley (season 1), Richard's and Pilar's son
Christina Marie Karis as Dana Wheatley (season 1; guest season 2), Richard and Prof. Angela Wheatley's only daughter who assists her father in his crimes
Ibrahim Renno as Izak Bekher (season 1), anIsraeli criminal with combatant experience at theIDF
Charlotte Sullivan as Detective 3rd Grade Gina Cappelletti (season 1), an undercover detective assigned to the OCCB task force
Autumn Mirassou as Maureen "Mau" Stabler, Stabler's oldest child
Allison Siko as Kathleen Stabler, Stabler's second daughter
Jeffrey Scaperrotta as Richard "Dickie" Stabler, Stabler's oldest son and Lizze's twin brother
Kaitlyn Davidson as Elizabeth "Lizzie" Stabler, Stabler's youngest daughter and Dickie's twin sister
Nicky Torchia as Elliot "Eli" Stabler Jr., Stabler's youngest child
Michael Totter as Joseph Stabler Jr. (seasons 4–5), Stabler's younger brother
Keren Dukes as Denise Bullock (seasons 1–3), the ex-wife of Ayanna Bell, and birthmother of Jake, their shared son
Wendy Moniz as ADA Anne Frasier (seasons 1–2; guest season 5), the prosecutor on the Wheatley and K-O case
Daniel Oreskes as Lieutenant Marv Moennig (seasons 1–2), the commanding officer of the OCCB task force
Nicholas Baroudi as Joey Raven (season 1), the owner of theSeven Knights club
Diany Rodriguez as ADA Maria Delgado (season 1), an ADA who formerly worked with the task force
Steve Harris as Ellsworth Lee (season 1), Angela Wheatley's attorney
Mike Cannon as Detective 3rd Grade Carlos Maldonado (season 2), a detective formerly under Brewster's command, but who now works under Bell's
Rachel Lin as Detective 1st Grade Victoria Cho (season 2), a detective formerly under Brewster's command, but who now works under Bell's
Lolita Davidovich as Flutura Briscu (season 2), the wife of Albanian mobster and gang leader, Albi Briscu
Antino Crowley-Kamenwati as Hugo Bankole (season 2; guest season 1), a VP in the Marcy Killers organization
Izabela Vidovic as Rita Lasku (season 2; guest season 4), a waitress who was trafficked by the Kosta Organization
Caroline Lagerfelt as Agniezjka "Agnes" Bogdani (season 2), Reggie Bogdani's mother and Albi Briscu's sister
Robin Lord Taylor as Sebastian "Constantine" McClane (season 2), a notorious hacker and high-security convict who escaped prison
Gregg Henry as Edmund Ross (season 2), a businessman who was involved in a sex trafficking ring with the Kosta Organization
Wesam Keesh as Adam "Malachi" Mintock (season 2), a hacker who created an app for the Kosta Organization, now forced to assist the Organized Crime Task Force in order to avoid prosecution
Jen Jacob as Bridget Donnelly (season 2), Frank's second wife (whom he cheats), and mother of their son, Elliott, named after Stabler
James Cromwell as Miles Darman (season 2), a neighbor of Stabler who was hired by Wheatley to charm Bernadette
Liris Crosse as Officer Tanisha Carling (season 2), a member of the Brotherhood
Eddie Yu as Officer David Yoshida (season 2), a member of the Brotherhood
Justin Grace as Ron Bolton (season 2), a member of the Brotherhood
Sebastian Arroyo as Officer Jessie Santos (season 2), a member of the Brotherhood
Patrick Murney as Officer Scott Parnell, a member of the Brotherhood
Tim Ransom as Officer Stanwood (season 2), a member of the Brotherhood
Wass Stevens as Dominic Russo (season 3),an enforcer associated with Vincent Bishop and Teddy Silas
Kevin Corrigan as Vincent Bishop (season 3), a former construction foreman associated with Teddy Silas
Michael Drayer as Kenny Kyle (season 3), a career criminal and a suspect in the murder of Henry Cole
Janel Moloney as Deputy Inspector Lillian Goldfarb (season 3)
Christopher Cassarino as Vaughn Davis (season 3), a gang leader who recruited fake cops to rob and assault civilians. He is also the foster brother of Bobby Reyes, Manny Rivera, and Dante Scott.
JR Lemon as Deputy Inspector Ray Thurman (season 3)
Pooch Hall as Dante Scott (season 3), a recently released drug dealer who joins a criminal gang run by Vaughn Davis. He is also the foster brother of Vaughn Davis, Bobby Reyes, and Manny Rivera.
Daniel Jenkins as Leonard Baker (season 3), the former sexually abusive foster father of Bobby Reyes, Vaughn Davis, Dante Scott, and Manny Rivera
Ayelet Zurer as Agent Tia Leonetti (season 3), an agent with Italian police
Mark Ivanir as Michael Abramov (season 3), anIsraeli criminal who operates from Eastern Europe, and smuggles gold and sweatshop workers into the United States
Tate Ellington as Professor Kyle Vargas (season 4–present), an artificial intelligence expert who joined the Organized Crime Control Bureau
Kiaya Scott as Becky (season 4–present), Eli's girlfriend and mother of their son, Owen
Abubakr Ali as Detective Samir "Sam" Bashir (season 4), a detective with the Organized Crime Control Bureau
Nicole Shalhoub as Captain Nazanin Shah (season 4), the commanding officer of the Hate Crimes Division
Will Janowitz as Eric Bonner (season 4), the son of Judge Clay Bonner and the brother of Chief Meredith Bonner, who became a serial killer
Vinnie Jones as Albi Briscu (season 2), anAlbanian gangster who is the last remaining member of his organization from the old country. He serves as Jon Kosta's underboss
Dash Mihok as Reggie Bogdani (season 2), Albi Briscu's nephew who serves as Stabler's boss during his time undercover infiltrating the Kosta organization
Guillermo Díaz as Sergeant/Lieutenant William "Bill" Brewster (season 2), the sergeant of a Narcotics task force and was previously Ayanna Bell's boss before she was transferred to the Organized Crime Control Bureau. He is promoted to lieutenant and takes over as commanding officer following Lieutenant Moennig's departure.
Ron Cephas Jones as Congressman Leon Kilbride (season 2), a politician who fosters connections and seems to have one with the Wheatleys. He is also the mentor of Preston Webb and is affiliated with Marcy Killers.
Mykelti Williamson as Preston Webb (season 2), a construction magnate who is actually a dangerous crime kingpin in charge of theMarcy Killers organization; he is affiliated with Congressman Kilbride. He is killed in the season 2 finale.
Jennifer Beals as Cassandra Webb (season 2), the wife of Preston Webb
Denis Leary as Frank Donnelly (season 2), a longtime member of the NYPD who has a history with Stabler. Donnelly is revealed to be the leader of The Brotherhood, a crime syndicate of dirty cops within the NYPD. After the Brotherhood is uncovered and arrested at the end of the second season, Donnelly commits suicide to avoid disgrace and prison.
Gus Halper as Teddy Silas (season 3), a construction foreman who gets involved in a murder investigation run by the OCCB task force. He is the husband of Pearl Serrano and the son of Robert Silas. He later helps OCCB to try to take down theNew Westies organization, but he leaves in the middle of their investigation, and he gets arrested once again.
Camilla Belle as Pearl Serrano (season 3), the wife of Teddy Silas
Jennifer Ehle as Chief Meredith Bonner (season 4), police chief of the town of Westbrook, daughter of Clay Bonner and sister of Eric Bonner
Keith Carradine as Judge Clay Bonner (season 4), judge of the town of Westbrook, father of Meredith and Eric Bonner
Jason Patric as Detective Tim McKenna (season 5), Stabler’s former partner on the Anti-Crime Task Force
In March 2020,NBC had given a 13-episode order to a new crime drama starring Meloni as his character fromLaw & Order: Special Victims Unit, Elliot Stabler.Dick Wolf, Arthur W. Forney, andPeter Jankowski, serve as the executive producers, withMatt Olmstead being looked at as showrunner and writer. The series came following Wolf's five-year deal withUniversal Television, which will serve as the series' production company along with Wolf Entertainment.[13]
The series was originally planned to be set up in thetwenty-first season finale ofLaw & Order: Special Victims Unit, with Stabler's wife and son returning. The episode would also have revealed the whereabouts of the Stabler family following Meloni's departure as the character inseason twelve. When asked whether or not the storyline would instead happen in thetwenty-second season premiere,Law & Order: Special Victims Unit showrunnerWarren Leight said that "it's pretty clear that Elliot will be in theSVU season opener".[14]Craig Gore was set to be a writer for the series, but was fired by Wolf on June 2, 2020, for controversialFacebook posts about looters and the curfew put in place inLos Angeles due to protests about themurder of George Floyd.[15] Gore had listed himself as co-executive producer on the series on his Facebook profile,[15] but Meloni announced Olmstead would be the showrunner for the series, not Gore.[16] The same day, the series title was revealed to beLaw & Order: Organized Crime.[15] The first teaser for the series was released during the30 Rock: A One-Time Special on July 17.[17] In July, Meloni stated he had not yet seen a script, and the writers were still working on the story.[18] By October, Olmstead had stepped down as showrunner,[19] and he was later replaced byIlene Chaiken in December.[20]
In February 2022, Chaiken was replaced as showrunner byBarry O'Brien.[21] In May 2021, NBC renewed the series for a second season,[22] which premiered on September 23, 2021.[23] In May 2022, NBC renewed the series for a third season,[24] which premiered on September 22, 2022.[5] Bryan Goluboff was appointed showrunner for the third season, but left after three months, and was replaced by Sean Jablonski, who then also left due to "creative differences", andDavid Graziano took over for the final episodes of the third season.[25] In April 2023, NBC renewed the series for a fourth season that premiered on January 18, 2024,[26][6] withJohn Shiban as showrunner.[25] Shiban departed during production of the fifth season in fall 2024, marking the sixth change in showrunners over the show's five seasons.[27]
During the production of the series, in July 2020, Meloni announcedMariska Hargitay would make a guest appearance as her character fromLaw & Order: Special Victims Unit,Olivia Benson.[28] On January 27, 2021,Dylan McDermott had been cast in the series,[29] withTamara Taylor,[30]Danielle Moné Truitt,[31]Ainsley Seiger, Jaylin Fletcher,Charlotte Sullivan, Nick Creegan, and Ben Chase joining the following month.[32] At the end of March, it was reported that Nicky Torchia, Michael Rivera, and Ibrahim Renno would appear in recurring roles.[33] In March, it was revealed that some of the actors who played members of the Stabler family as far back as 1999, in episodes ofLaw & Order: Special Victims Unit, would appear in the new series, including Allison Siko as daughter Kathleen and Jeffrey Scaperrotta as son Dickie, whileIsabel Gillies appeared as soon to be murdered wifeKathy in theLaw & Order: Special Victims Unit episode that sees the Stablers return to New York, setting the scene for the new series.[34] In August,Ron Cephas Jones,Vinnie Jones,Lolita Davidovich,Mykelti Williamson,Guillermo Díaz andDash Mihok joined the cast in recurring roles for the second season.[35][36] In early 2022,Jennifer Beals andDenis Leary joined the cast in recurring roles.[37][38] In July 2022,Rick Gonzalez andBrent Antonello joined the cast for the third season.[39] In August 2022,Camilla Belle andGus Halper joined the cast for the third season.[40]
LikeLaw & Order: Special Victims Unit, the series is filmed on location in New York.[41] Production was set to begin on the series in August 2020,[42] but was announced in September that the series was the only one produced by Wolf Entertainment to not be given a start date for production.[43] The series later began production on January 27, 2021, during theCOVID-19 pandemic, with Meloni and Hargitay sharing pictures on set.[29][44] In the following months, the production on the series had been halted twice due to two positive COVID-19 tests; despite the halt, it was announced the series would still premiere on the same date.[45][46]
On July 19, 2022, Johnny Pizarro, a crew member working on the show, was fatally shot while filming was underway for the third season.[47][48][49]
Filming on the fifth season, set to air onPeacock, began in August 2024.[50]
On June 16, 2020, it was announced the series would air on Thursdays onNBC at 10 p.m.Eastern Time, the former timeslot ofLaw & Order: Special Victims Unit, with the latter moving up an hour to 9 p.m. The series was the only new series on NBC's fall lineup at the moment for the2020–21 television season.[51] In August 2020, the series was pushed back to 2021[52] and on February 4, 2021, it was announced the series would premiere on April 1, 2021, as part of a two-hour crossover withLaw & Order: Special Victims Unit.[53][54] The first season consists of eight episodes.[55] The series moved from broadcast to streaming for season 5, with NBC airing the premiere episode on April 17, 2025 after theLaw & Order andSVU crossover.[56]
The series is available on the streaming service,Peacock, with episodes being released on the service a week after they air on NBC for the service's free tier, and the next day for the paid tier.[51] In 2024, it was announced the series will move permanently to streaming on Peacock for season 5 premiering on April 17, 2025.[7][56]
In Canada,Organized Crime airs onCitytv insimulcast with NBC, unlike past American-setLaw & Order series which have all aired onCTV.[57] Because of commitments to other Thursday night programming likeGrey's Anatomy, CTV aired thedirect lead-in episode ofSVU out of simulcast in the 10:00 p.m. ET/PT timeslot, airing directly against the premiere of its spin-off on Citytv.[58][59] In 2021, allLaw & Order series moved to Citytv, airing simulcast with NBC. Like in the United States, the series moved to Citytv's streaming serviceCitytv+ for season 5, releasing new episodes on the same day as Peacock, but unlike NBC, which aired the first episode afterSVU, Citytv did not due to commitments toLaw & Order Toronto: Criminal Intent. In Australia,Organized Crime airs on theNine Network on Monday night timeslot starting April 12, 2021.[60]
The show was well received by long time fans of the franchise, especially those eager to see Olivia Benson and Elliot Stabler back on screen together. Upon the series premiere,TVLine wrote, "It's rare that a television event lives up to its hype. But thanks to Meloni and Hargitay, Elliot Stabler's big return to theLaw & Order universe really did... From the first moment that Hargitay and Meloni shared a scene, they were right back in it. Therefore, so were we."[76]
Stacy Lambe ofE! Online noted that the Benson-Stabler reunion was "worth the wait, with the franchise delivering some unexpected twists and turns as well as plenty of heartfelt moments.[77]"
Variety's Daniel D'Addario called the premiere "juicily entertaining,[78]" andDecider's Joel Keller wrote, "Law & Order: Organized Crime isn’t 'classic'L&O, but it’s got an intriguing continuing storyline and two fantastic leads... it’s a story that looks to be really compelling to watch. Much of that, of course, is due to Meloni’s incendiary acting.[79]
TheLA Times wrote about the fan reaction to the premiere, saying "the reaction to Stabler’s highly anticipated comeback was, predictably, intense — and mostly communicated through various GIFs and memes of people crying, screaming and collapsing on the floor. So yeah. That’s where theLaw & Order fandom is at right now.[80]
^The second episode of the second season aired outside of its regular timeslot, at Thursday 9p.m. The third season premiered outside its timeslot, at Thursday 8p.m.
