Mariska Hargitay & Sam Waterson Talk “Law & Order” Reboot Differences
After 30 years, Sam Waterston is leaving the iconic “dun-dun” behind.
Waterston announced on Feb. 2 that he would be stepping down from his role as District Attorney Jack McCoy on Law & Order after more than 400 episodes, with his final episode airing on Feb. 22.
“The time has come for me to move on and take Jack McCoy with me,” the 83-year-old said in a statement to E! News. “There’s sadness in leaving, but I’m just too curious about what’s next. An actor doesn’t want to let himself get too comfortable.”
He also thanked the fans and show creator Dick Wolf for their support during the NBC series’ “continuing and amazing long run,” adding, “I feel very blessed. I hope to see you all on the flip side. Thank you.”
Waterston first joined the cast in 1994 and was with the series until its original run came to an end in 2010. He returned for the show’s revival in 2022.
Over the course of his decades-long run with the series, he was nominated for three Emmy Awards, one Golden Globe and 11 SAG Awards. He won the SAG Award for Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Drama Series in 1999.
Peter Kramer/NBC via Getty Images
However, the Law & Order cast—Hugh Dancy, Camryn Manheim, Odelya Halevi, Mehcad Brooks and Reid Scott.—won’t be alone for long. Amid Waterston’s departure, Tony Goldwyn will be joining the show in a yet-unnamed district attorney role, helping to continue telling stories of the criminal justice system.
Though Goldwyn is most known as President Fitzgerald Grant on Scandal from 2012 to 2018, he holds credits in 1990’s Ghost, 1999’s Tarzan and the 2023 Oscar-nominated film Oppenheimer.
Jason Mendez/Getty Images for BAFTA
With the 23rd season of Law & Order underway, keep reading to find out when your other favorite shows are returning this year.
(E! and NBC are both part of the NBCUniversal family.)
Peacock/NBCUniversa;
Kings From Queens: The RUN DMC Story (Peacock) – Feb. 1
Kings From Queens: The RUN DMC Story is a three-part documentary series, produced by Believe Entertainment Group, chronicling the iconic forefathers of hip-hop, RUN DMC. This unique series will take you back to the 1980s, when Joseph “Rev Run” Simmons, Darryl “DMC” McDaniels and Jason “Jam Master Jay” Mizell cultivated a one-of-a-kind sound that took not only Queens, but the world, by storm.
Prime Video
Mr. & Mrs. Smith (Prime Video) – Feb. 2
In this version of Mr. & Mrs. Smith, two lonely strangers (Donald Glover and Maya Erskine) land jobs working for a mysterious spy agency that offers them a glorious life of espionage, wealth, world travels, and a dream brownstone in Manhattan. The catch? New identities in an arranged marriage as Mr. and Mrs. John and Jane Smith. Now hitched, John and Jane navigate a high-risk mission every week while also facing a new relationship milestone. Their complex cover story becomes even more complicated when they catch real feelings for each other. What’s riskier: espionage or marriage?
HBO
Curb Your Enthusiasm (HBO & Max) – Feb. 4
Larry David‘s Emmy-winning comedy returns for it’s 12th and final season February.
Bravo
Below Deck (Bravo) – Feb. 5
Captain Kerry Titheradge crosses over from Below Deck Adventure to helm M/Y St. David. Additionally, Chief Stew Fraser Olender and lead deckhand Ben Willoughby return for the new season. New crew members include Chef Anthony Iracane, Bosun Jared Woodin, deckhands Sunny Marquis and Kyle Stillie and stews Cat Baugh, Xandi Olivier and Barbie Pascual.
Disney/ABC
The Conners (ABC) – Feb. 7
Season five of the comedy debuts Feb. 7.
ABC/Matt Sayles
Abbott Elementary (ABC) – Feb. 7
Season three of the Emmy-winning comedy debuts Feb. 7.
Santiago Felipe/Getty Images for MTV
Jersey Shore Family Vacation (MTV) – Feb. 8
Following last season’s shocking return of OG fan favorite Sammi “Sweetheart” Giancola, the infamous exes will finally reunite when Ronnie Ortiz-Magro joins the “Shore” family trip in Nashville. But the legendary family vacation doesn’t stop there, with the Mayor of Atlantic City honoring the gang, “MVP” trying to find zen in Tucson, and the group returning to where it all started, Seaside Heights. This season of Jersey Shore Family Vacation will bring shocking revelations, explosive confrontations, and reunions years in the making.
Peacock
Couple to Throuple (Peacock) – Feb. 8
Hosted by Scott Evans and guided by Sex and Relationship expert Shamyra Howard, Peacock’s new original series Couple to Throuple follows four curious couples through the world of polyamory as they experiment with bringing a third partner into their relationship. Set at a remote tropical resort, the couples will meet, mingle, and date a group of singles, many of whom are experienced in polyamory. With three times the fun, the feelings, and drama, these relationships are put through the ultimate test to see if they are the perfect match. At the end of their time in paradise, the couples will decide if their hearts have room for more than just “the one” and commit as a throuple, go home as they arrived, or leave separately.
Michael Courtney/CBS
Tracker (CBS) – Feb 11
Tracker stars Justin Hartley as Colter Shaw, a lone-wolf survivalist who roams the country as a reward seeker, using his expert tracking skills to help private citizens and law enforcement solve all manner of mysteries while contending with his own fractured family. The series is based on the bestselling novel The Never Game by Jeffery Deaver.
Michael Yarish/CBS
Bob Hearts Abishola (CBS) – Feb. 12
Fifth season debuts Feb. 12.
Karen Neal/CBS
NCIS: Hawaii (CBS) – Feb. 12
Season three debuts Feb. 12.
Monty Brinton/CBS
The Neighborhood (CBS) – Feb. 12
Season six premieres Feb. 12.
CBS
NCIS (CBS) – Feb. 12
NCIS‘ 21st season premieres Feb. 12.
Bennett Raglin/CBS
All FBI Series (CBS) – Feb. 13
FBI, FBI True, FBI: International and FBI: Most Wanted all return Feb. 13
SYFY/NBCUniversal
Resident Alien (SYFY) – Feb. 14
Based on the Dark Horse comics, SYFY’s “Resident Alien” follows a crash-landed alien named Harry (Alan Tudyk) whose secret mission is to kill all humans. In season three, Harry is vowing to work with General McCallister (Linda Hamilton) to rid the Earth of the Grey aliens – a task made more difficult when he discovers that the Grey Hybrid Joseph (Enver Gjokaj) has taken a job in town as the new Deputy. Joseph isn’t Harry’s only obstacle – Harry struggles to balance business and his personal life when he falls in love for the first time.
Michael Courtney/CBS
So Help Me Todd (CBS) – Feb. 15
Season two returns Feb. 15.
Bertrand Calmeau/CBS
Ghosts (CBS) – Feb. 15
Season three premieres Feb. 15.
Robert Voets/Warner Bros./CBS
Young Sheldon (CBS) – Feb. 15
Season seven debuts Feb. 15.
Scott McDermott/Hulu/Disney
Life & Beth (Hulu) – Feb. 16
As Beth (Amy Schumer) and John’s (Michael Cera) relationship grows more serious, Beth begins to examine the possibilities of marriage and having a family as she and John seek answers for their communication problems. Is Beth’s traumatic history with men, and people she trusted from her youth destined to repeat itself? And what is triggering her fears? Beth does her best to keep her relationships alive while struggling to support friends and family who are all facing their own problems while entering their fourth decade.
CBS
S.W.A.T. (CBS) – Feb. 16
Season seven returns Feb. 16.
Sergei Bachlakov/CBS
Fire Country (CBS) – Feb. 16
The second season debuts Feb. 16.
CBS
Blue Bloods (CBS) – Feb. 16
Season 14 premieres Feb. 16.
Disney/ABC
American Idol (ABC) – Feb. 18
Season 21 of the singing competition kicks off this February.
Discovery Channel
Naked and Afraid (Discovery) – Feb. 18
Man-eating crocodiles, aggressive hippos and toxic frogs await a new group of survivalists when Naked and Afraid debuts Sunday, Feb. 18, on Discovery Channel. Throughout the series, the participants must overcome their personal struggles and face the raw brutality of nature without easy access to food, water or clothing.
Monty Brinton/CBS
CSI: Vegas (CBS) – Feb. 18
Season three debuts Feb. 18.
Michael Greenberg/CBS
The Equalizer (CBS) – Feb. 18
Season four premieres Feb. 18.
TLC/Discovery
Little People, Big World (TLC) – Feb. 20
Just as the Roloffs settle into a rhythm, family surprises and continued tension give rise to new struggles and questions. After an unexpected proposal, Matt and Caryn excitedly look to the future while building their dream home on the farm, but the constant strain on the family makes them wonder what that future will look like. While Amy continues to enjoy married life with Chris, she remains unsettled by the family strife. To help bring the family together and support a cause near and dear to her, she decides to throw a fundraiser and enlists Chris, Matt, and Caryn’s help. But it doesn’t take long before the stress rises to the surface. Meanwhile, Zach and Tori are enjoying their busy lives with three kids. However, everything is turned upside down when Zach is rushed to the hospital for emergency surgery.
Disney/ABC
The Good Doctor (ABC) – Feb. 20
The seventh and final season debuts February.
Disney/ABC
The Rookie (ABC) – Feb. 20
The sixth season premieres in February.
Disney/ABC
Will Trent (ABC) – Feb. 20
The sophomore season premieres Feb. 20.
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