It's the end of an era at Law & Order with Sam Waterston's exit
Sam Waterston is leaving NBC's long-running drama after 20 seasons, and his replacement has already been announced
So long, Jack McCoy. At least that’s what everyone will be saying (again) to Law & Order’s resident DA later this month. Don’t worry, the legal drama isn’t ending anytime soon—Dick Wolf would sooner face an apocalypse than let go of his long-running series—but Sam Waterston is leaving the show he joined in 1994. And you know what? We can’t begrudge him for exiting a job after 30 rewarding, but probably also exhausting, years.
Waterston joined Law & Order halfway through season four of its original run, which began in 1990. Once it ended in 2010, he returned to reprise the role in NBC’s revival starting in 2022. He’s appeared in over 400 episodes of the show (let’s digest that) taking McCoy from assistant district attorney to interim DA to, finally in season 20, the District Attorney. The performance earned him multiple Emmy and Golden Globe nominations.
In a statement (via The Hollywood Reporter), the actor shared a long goodbye, stating, “The time has come for me to move on and take Jack McCoy with me. 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. I’m more grateful to you than I can say… I feel very blessed. I hope to see you all on the flip side.”
If you’re worried about how the hell the Law & Order world will function normally without a DA, don’t be. NBC has already announced a scandalous replacement for him. It’s not necessarily shocking, but it is Scandal’s Tony Goldwyn, who will be hopping aboard NBC’s drama as the new district attorney. The network is keeping his character’s name and details under wraps for now. Goldwyn previously directed season 16's “Thinking Makes It So,” and he also appeared in a spin-off, Law & Order: Criminal Intent for four episodes. Hey, it’s classic L&O to recast actors for different parts.
The show also stars Hugh Dancy, Reid Scott, Mehcad Brooks, Camryn Manheim, and Odelya Halevi. Waterston’s last episode airs on Thursday, February 22 at 8 p.m. ET.