I’m Frustrated by the Ever-Changing Cast on Law & Order

We all know that many of the Dick Wolf series experience casting changes every year.

It’s only been a few weeks since we sadly reported that Kevin Atwater was exiting Chicago PD.

I should have expected more hits for Law & Order, since the cast changes every season, but I almost thought it might keep the same cast when no announcements came by mid-July.

But as filming for Law & Order Season 26  began, the series released the latest tea. Reid Scott will be leaving the series as Senior Detective Vincent Riley.

He’s been there since Law & Order Season 23 and has been partnered with both Jalen Shaw (Mehcad Brooks) and, most recently, Theo Walker (David Ajala).

It took some time, but Reid Scott and David Ajala gelled fantastically well as partners.

Vince Riley was typically stoic, but Law & Order Season 25 delved more into his personal life, including his hardest case, his marriage, and even his sobriety.

I feel ripped off that we won’t see more of his personal journey.

And that includes whether his brother Matt (Ryan Egghold) ever wakes up from his coma.

There’s so much more to be done with procedurals than weekly cases.

Fans can’t get invested in these characters, and why do the detectives fight crime if they’re only around for a season or two?

Since Law & Order was rebooted, one of the detectives has left every year, beginning with Anthony Anderson.

Reid Scott replaced Jeffrey Donovan after he left when Law & Order Season 22 ended.

At least, Reid Scott chose to leave because he disliked being away from his family for months at a time to commute to New York and film.

I can respect his decision, but it will still make the upcoming season of Law & Order challenging, as we need to acclimate to yet another detective.

Unlike the previous departures, Det. Riley will get an actual ending on Law & Order before James Badge Dale (1923) begins as the new senior detective and Det. Walker’s new partner.

Hopefully, that will make the transition smoother, but it’s still exhausting.

Det. Riley evolved so much over the last three seasons, mainly thanks to Reid Scott’s performances.

Now Walker needs to start from scratch, and he’s already a lone wolf.

He was beginning to trust Det. Riley, and it worries me that this could set him back.

It’s no secret that my favorite part of Law & Order has been the “Order” half.

That’s partly because Sam and Nolan are the only cast members who have been around since the reboot began in 2021.

There’s something about consistency.

Nick Baxter has led them well, and the lawyers have continued to feature some interesting and compelling stories.

But viewers need to be invested throughout the entire episode and in all the characters. 

Over to you, Law & Order Fanatics. How do you feel about Reid Scott’s exit?

Are all these exits making it harder for you to invest in the series?

What do you want to see in Law & Order Season 26?

Let’s discuss this in the comments.

Let’s keep the conversation going — it’s the only way the good stuff survives.

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