'Law & Order: Organized Crime' Has a Premiere Date
Christopher Meloni in 'Organized Crime.'
Law & Order fans had their dreams of a September return for Law & Order and Law & Order: SVU dashed during the writers' strike, which ended Sept. 27. However, viewers had already gotten a heads up that Law & Order: Organized Crime wouldn't return until January. The series, starring Christopher Meloni as Det. Elliott Stabler, was renewed for a 13-episode fourth season with a midseason premiere date all the way back in April.
Although NBC didn't give an official reason for the reduced order, a source told TVLine that producers had specific plans for the new season that are best accomplished in fewer episodes. What could that mean?!
Let's grab a (diamond) compass and navigate what happened and what lies ahead for Stabler, Sargeant Bell and Jet. From cast to release date, here's everything to know about Law & Order: Organized Crime Season 4.
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Is there a new season of Law & Order: Organized Crime?
Yes. Law & Order: Organized Crime was renewed for Season 4 in April. At the time, producers announced that the season would consist of 13 episodes and a midseason premiere. Unlike other series, including Law & Order and Law & Order: SVU, these plans didn't require reshuffling during the writers' strike, which ended in September.
What is the Law & Order: Organized Crime Season 4 Release Date?
Law & Order: Organized Crime returns to NBC on Thursday, Jan. 18 at 10 p.m. ET. It will be part of the network's Law & Order Thursday night lineup and air after the original Law & Order (8 p.m. ET) and Law & Order: SVU (9 p.m. ET).
Related: 'Law & Order' Has a Major Cast Shakeup Ahead of Season 23: Everything You Need to Know
How Did Law & Order: Organized Crime Season 3 End?
It was an emotional rollercoaster. Law & Order: Organized Crime's third season ended with a two-week crossover finale with Law & Order: SVU.
The recap: When the two squads team up to take down Shadowërk, a revenge-for-hire website, its leader, Kyle (Michael Drayer), places a hit on Sergeant Olivia Benson (Mariska Hargitay) and Elliott Stabler (Meloni). Although the units work together to arrest Kyle, it isn't without a cost: Kyle shoots Detective Jamie Whelan (Brent Antonello), and Whelan ultimately dies in the hospital.
Before the funeral, Stabler and Benson get to talking. Stabler tells her he's going out of town on a new case, and Benson is grateful he at least let her know this time. (Remember when he disappeared on her for, like, 10 years without a goodbye?) To soften the blow, Stabler comes bearing a gift. Before he hands it over to his longtime friend (maybe more?), he tells Benson he wants to know what's in the gift box given to her by the McCanns, the parents of Noah's half-brother, Connor, for Christmas. Benson has yet to open it—six months after the holidays—and makes Stabler a deal: You open it and get to keep it.
The underwhelming gift looks straight out of the Home Goods playbook: An ornament that says "Live, laugh, love." Stabler breaks off the E so it says "Liv, laugh, love" (Liv being the nickname he uses for Olivia) and says he'll cherish it.
Speaking of cherish, he then hands Benson his gift. It's a doozy: a diamond compass necklace. She asks Stabler, "Is this supposed to lead me somewhere... or to something?" Stabler responds, "Lead you to happiness, Liv."
Better question: Is it supposed to lead her to someone?
Related: 'Law & Order: SVU' Season 25 Is Finally Underway: Everything You Need to Know
Who is in the Organized Crime Season 4 cast?
Christopher Meloni as Det. Elliott Stabler
Meloni returns as Det. Elliott Stabler. In the Season 3 finale, he told Benson he was heading out of town on a new case. Letting her know that he was leaving was a nice change of pace, but that's as far as Stabler went. Mum's the word on what his next work adventure entails.
Danielle Moné Truitt as Sargeant Ayanna Bell
The Organized Crime Control Bureau's commanding officer and partner to Stabler will maintain her post. The normally by-the-book Bell was seen having a hard time with Whelan's death in the Season 3 finale.
Ainsley Seiger as Jet Slootmaekers
Jet Slootmakers won fans over with her tech savvy and street smarts in the first two seasons. Season 3 saw an expanded role, as Jet seemed to have romantic feelings for criminal Adam Mintock (Wesam Keesh), which caused some distrust with other members of the bureau, notably her boss, Sergeant Bell.
Rick Gonzalez as Det. Bobby Reyes
Det. Bobby Reyes joined Organized Crime in Season 3 after a combined seven years in Anti-Crime and Narcotics. He's slated for a Season 4 return.
How many episodes are in Organized Crime Season 4?
There will be 13 episodes in the show's fourth season.
How to watch Organized Crime Season 4
New episodes of Organized Crime will air on Thursdays at 10 p.m. ET on NBC. Fans can stream episodes the following day on Peacock with a subscription.
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