The ambitious spinoff Law & Order: Organized Crime has changed the face of the TV franchise across its first four seasons, and season 5 is on the way with one major change. Premiering in 2021, the series follows Detective Elliot Stabler as he joins the elite Organized Crime division of the NYPD to bring down international criminals who operate in the city. Unlike previous series in the franchise, Organized Crime utilizes a serialized story structure that follows an arc across an entire season and more. On top of that, the series also puts the focus exclusively on Detective Stabler and explores his internal struggles.
Like every Dick Wolf TV show produced for NBC, Organized Crime proved to be an instant hit and added some much-needed narrative diversity to the franchise that had been carried by Special Victims Unit for the better part of a decade. Not long after the debut of Organized Crime, the original Law & Order series was also revived, and there was suddenly a bona fide franchise dominating NBC’s Thursday lineup. Despite the overwhelming success of the franchise, there was some doubt that Organized Crime would return for season 5.
Stream On Peacock
The future of the spinoff was not certain after NBC renewed its contemporaries but left Organized Crime to twist in the wind for several weeks. Finally, NBC renewed Organized Crime in May 2024, but with the caveat that it would move to Peacock for its fifth season (via Variety). Earlier reports suggested the move was possible, but NBC finally made the decision to open the primetime spot for sophomore series From which will now take Law & Order: Organized Crime‘s old time slot.
Law & Order: Organized Crime season 5 was the last of the franchise to recieve a renewal order, and season 5 was announced several weeks after its contemporaries were given additional season orders. The announcement also came with the news that Organized Crime season 5 will move to Peacock exclusively and will not air on NBC.
Unlike other hit procedurals, the cast of Law & Order: Organized Crime is less solid from season to season and could change drastically by the time season 5 rolls around. The only near-certainty is the return of Christopher Meloni as Detective Elliot Stabler since it has been his story since episode one. However, other likely returns include Danielle Moné Truitt as Sergeant Ayanna Bell, Ainsley Seiger as Detective 2nd Grade Jet Slootmaekers, and Rick Gonzalez as Detective 2nd Grade Bobby Reyes.
Outside the team of regular cast members, other guest stars are easy to speculate on, including Law & Order: SVU star Mariska Hargitay, who plays Olivia Benson. Benson has appeared frequently in Organized Crime and her emotional link with Stabler might see her return once again. Additionally, Stabler’s newly introduced brothers Randall and Joe Jr, played by Dean Norris and Michael Trotter, respectively, could also continue to be a part of his life in season 5.
The prospective cast of Law & Order: Organized Crime includes:
Though Law & Order: Organized Crime is different from its procedural contemporaries because it tells an overarching story each season, there is still little continuity from season to season. With that in mind, it is impossible to guess what will happen in season 5 because the plot of season 4 will likely have little bearing on what happens. Season 4 sees the seasoned detective go undercover on another dangerous mission, but season 5 will probably devise some new story for Stabler that sees him take on another dangerous foe.