Sam Waterston Exits ‘Law & Order,’ Replacement Announced
After three decades of playing Jack McCoy, Sam Waterston is leaving Law & Order. Which popular TV star will replace him as DA? Keep reading for all the details on the shocking cast shakeup.
Sam Waterston Exits Law & Order
Big changes are coming to the Law & Order universe again. The longtime NBC franchise has seen its fair share of cast upheaval and changes in recent years.
Richard Belzer, who played John Munch on Law & Order: SVU, sadly passed away last year. The regular L&O was abruptly canceled in 2010. It was revived in 2022 but has already had many cast changes since then.
Anthony Anderson left the reboot after its first season. He starred in the original series for three seasons before its cancellation.
Actor Jeffrey Donovan left the show ahead of Season 23. Veep alum Reid Scott replaced him as a new detective.
Even with all the changes, Sam Waterston had been a mainstay in the franchise. When he joined the show in 1994, his character, Jack McCoy, was an ADA. Jack McCoy has been the DA since Season 17.
On February 2, 2024, the network announced the actor’s shocking exit from the show he’s appeared on for 30 years. The network didn’t comment on a reason for his exit, but Sam Waterston is 83. His age could be a factor in the decision to step away from the show.
PEOPLE magazine reports that Sam Waterston will last appear in the episode airing on Thursday, February 22.
Replacement Announced
The role of the DA won’t be vacant for long. NBC already announced which actor is joining the show as the new DA. Tony Goldwyn is leaving the Oval Office behind for the courtroom.
The Scandal actor joins Law & Order in the role of District Attorney. NBC didn’t reveal if Goldwyn will appear on the February episode or make his debut later.
Tony Goldwyn is also known for his role in the 1990 movie Ghost alongside Demi Moore and Patrick Swayze.
Hugh Dancy, Camryn Manheim, Odelya Halevi, and Mehcad Brooks round out the Law & Order cast.
Scandal Reboot Hopes Dashed?
Scandal aired on ABC from 2012 until 2018. Tony Goldwyn played President Fitzgerald “Fitz” Thomas Grant III. Throughout the show’s seven seasons, Fitz had a torrid affair with Olivia Pope, played by Kerry Washington.
The stars reunited in late 2023 when Kerry Washington was promoting her Thicker Than Water memoir. Scandal fans were hoping the reunion was a hint toward the show’s return. One fan wrote, “Please bring this show backkkkk” in the comments on the Instagram post.
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However, if Tony Goldwyn has a new gig on Law & Order, a Scandal reboot seems unlikely. Kerry Washington’s Hulu show UnPrisoned was renewed for Season 2.
Are you sad to see Sam Waterston leave Law & Order? What do you think about Tony Goldwyn replacing him? Sound off in the comments.
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