New ‘Law & Order’ Photos of James Badge Dale Filming With Maura Tierney for Season 26

There’s a new detective in the city when NBC’s long-running drama, Law & Order, returns for its 26th season on Thursday, October 8, though not right away. There will be a major cast change in the season, as opposed to off-screen, as has been the case in the past. Reid Scott, who plays Detective Vincent Riley, will be leaving, and James Badge Dale is coming in as a new detective. Thanks to photos of the cast filming in Brooklyn earlier in August, we now have a first look at the latter.

As you can see in the photos above and below, Dale’s character is working with Maura Tierney‘s Lieutenant Jessica Brady — it looks like they’re talking to someone who may know something about the case — and the actors are having fun when the cameras stop rolling as well.

We’ll have to wait to see what their characters’ dynamic is like, as well as Dale’s with David Ajala‘s Theo Walker, whom he’ll be partnering with following Scott’s exit.

Jose Perez/Bauer-Griffin/GC Images

It was in July that it was announced that Scott will be leaving in Law & Order Season 26, but he’ll appear in a few episodes and Riley will be written out onscreen. There was nothing onscreen in the Season 25 finale to suggest an exit storyline, though we do imagine that it could involve his brother, Matt (Ryan Eggold), who, at last mention, was still in a coma.

The cast change isn’t the only thing that will be different about Law & Order for its 26th season. The series will also be airing at a later time, moving from leading off the night at 8/7c to capping it off at 10/9c, following SVU. (The Traitors: New Blood has joined the franchise in the Thursday night lineup on NBC.)

What do you think of this first look at James Badge Dale in character? What are you hoping to see with the cast change? Let us know in the comments section below.

Law & Order, Season 26 Premiere, Thursday, October 8, 10/9c, NBC