Law & Order is returning for its 26th season with a new time slot and a major cast change. Reid Scott is leaving the show after three seasons as Detective Vincent Riley, and James Badge Dale is joining the cast as a new senior detective. The season premieres on Thursday, October 8, at 10/9c on NBC, moving from its long-time 8 p.m. slot to follow Law & Order: SVU. Episodes will stream the next day on Peacock. Here is a complete look at what is changing and what is staying the same.
New Time Slot for Law & Order Season 26
Law & Order is moving to Thursdays at 10/9c for Season 26. The show spent the past five seasons in the 8/7c slot, but NBC is shifting it later in the night. Law & Order: SVU Season 28 will lead the lineup at 9/8c, with Law & Order following at 10/9c . This is the first time the flagship series has aired at 10 p.m. since the revival began. The season premiere is set for Thursday, October 8, 2026, on NBC . New episodes will be available to stream the next day on Peacock.
For viewers outside the United States, Law & Order airs on NBC in the USA and streams on Peacock. In Canada, the show is available on Citytv and streaming platforms. UK viewers can watch on Sky Witness and NOW. Australian audiences can stream on Binge and Foxtel. Global availability may vary by region, and fans should check local listings for exact times.
Reid Scott Exits as Detective Vincent Riley
Reid Scott is leaving Law & Order after playing Senior Detective Vincent Riley for three seasons. He joined the show in Season 23, replacing Jeffrey Donovan as the senior detective partnered with Detective Jalen Shaw and later Detective Theo Walker . Scott’s exit is reportedly due to the cross-country commute to New York and being away from his family for nine months of the year. He is based in California, and the show films in New York City . The exit is described as amicable, and Scott will return for a few episodes in Season 26 to wrap up his character’s story.
Riley’s exit will be handled with a proper on-screen goodbye rather than a throwaway line. Showrunner Rick Eid said, “It’s centered around Riley, and his exit will be very powerful and emotional” . The storyline will involve Ryan Eggold returning as Matt Riley, Vincent’s troubled brother, who was last seen in a medically induced coma after being stabbed . Riley’s final episodes will air in October, with his send-off episode scheduled for October 15 .
James Badge Dale Joins as Detective Rob Calvino
James Badge Dale is joining Law & Order Season 26 as Detective Rob Calvino, a new senior detective. Dale is known for his roles in 24, The Pacific, 1923, Hightown, and films like The Departed, The Grey, and Iron Man 3 . His character, Calvino, is a native New Yorker homicide detective who “drips with New York energy and knowledge” and comes from “a tough, urban background in the city” .
Showrunner Rick Eid said Calvino will have a different dynamic with Detective Theo Walker (played by David Ajala) than Riley did. “We think he and Walker will have a really interesting relationship. It’ll be different than Walker’s relationship with Reid’s character, Riley,” Eid said. “He comes in kind of fresh. He knows of a few of the people: He knows of Brady, he knows of Riley, but he’s not buddies with anybody” .
Returning Cast for Season 26
Several key cast members are returning for Law & Order Season 26. The confirmed returning cast includes:
- Tony Goldwyn as District Attorney Nicholas Baxter
- Hugh Dancy as Executive Assistant District Attorney Nolan Price
- Maura Tierney as Lieutenant Jessica Brady
- Odelya Halevi as Assistant District Attorney Samantha Maroun
- David Ajala as Detective Theo Walker
Odelya Halevi recently announced she is pregnant with her first child, and her character’s storyline may be adjusted accordingly . Connie Shi also appeared in Season 25 and may return .
Guest Stars and Storylines in Season 26
Vincent Kartheiser, known for Mad Men, will guest star in the Season 26 premiere. He plays a tech visionary in a case that showrunner Rick Eid describes as “topical, controversial, and provocative” . Ryan Eggold returns as Matt Riley early in the season as part of Riley’s exit storyline .
Eid said the first several cases will “resonate with people who feel like it’s something they want to engage with and talk about” . The show continues its tradition of drawing from current social issues while trying to present multiple points of view.
How to Watch Law & Order Season 26
- USA: NBC at 10/9c on Thursdays, streaming next day on Peacock
- Canada: Citytv and streaming platforms
- UK: Sky Witness and NOW
- Australia: Binge and Foxtel
- Global: Check local listings for availability
The Season 26 premiere airs Thursday, October 8, 2026, at 10/9c on NBC. New episodes will follow weekly on Thursdays. The season premiere will stream the next day on Peacock .
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What to Expect from the New Season
Law & Order Season 26 marks a new chapter for the long-running series. With a new time slot, a new detective, and a proper farewell to a main character, the show is making changes while keeping its core format intact. The move to 10 p.m. places it in a later slot that has historically been home to dramas with more mature themes. The addition of James Badge Dale brings a new energy to the squad room, and his dynamic with David Ajala’s Walker will be a key focus of the season .
Reid Scott’s exit is handled with care, giving his character a meaningful send-off rather than a quick write-off. The involvement of Ryan Eggold as Matt Riley ties back to a storyline that has been building for two seasons . The Vincent Kartheiser guest spot in the premiere sets the tone for a season that aims to tackle current issues with the show’s signature approach.
Also Read: Mariska Hargitay Confirms New York Knicks Star Jalen Brunson Will Appear on Law & Order: SVU
Stay tuned to VvipTimes for more updates on Law & Order Season 26 and other top TV news.
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