‘Law & Order’: Sam Waterston Calls the Show’s 2010 Cancellation a ‘Terrible Mistake’
Law & Order is back for season 21, with star Sam Waterston reprising his role as District Attorney Jack McCoy. The new season comes 12 years after NBC’s abrupt cancellation of the series. And according to Waterston, taking the long-running drama off the air in 2010 was a “terrible mistake.”
‘Law & Order’ season 21 features both old and new characters
In addition to Waterston — who starred in seasons 5 through 20 during the original run — the new season of Law & Order will feature the return of Anthony Anderson as Detective Kevin Bernard. He joined the series in season 18 and stayed until the series was canceled after season 20.
They will be joined by franchise newcomers Jeffrey Donovan as detective Frank Cosgrove, Camryn Manheim as Lieutenant Kate Dixon, Hugh Dancy as Assistant District Attorney Nolan Price, and Odelya Halevi as Assistant District Attorney Samantha Maroun.
The showrunner promises that fans will see more familiar faces
Showrunner Rick Eid promised that Waterston and Anderson won’t be the alumni returning to the series for season 21. He told Deadline that fans will “definitely see some familiar faces along the way.” However, they are keeping those names quiet right now.
“There’s so many great actors who have been involved in the show, and the opportunity for them to come back in some capacity is really exciting. So I think we definitely want to find ways to bring back several of our alumni,” Eid said.
Sam Waterston says canceling ‘Law & Order’ in 2010 was a ‘terrible mistake’
Waterston says that series creator Dick Wolf has been talking about the return of Law & Order for at least five years, and he’s never stopped talking about it. The 81-year-old says Wolf’s persistence is one of the reasons the show is back for season 21.
“One of the reasons that we’re back is because of his persistence and determination and his complete conviction that it was a terrible mistake to stop in the first place,” Waterston said at the recent Law & Order TCA Panel.
Anthony Anderson says the show should be the longest-running drama in TV history
When NBC pulled Law & Order from the air in 2010 after season 20, it was close to passing Gunsmoke as the longest-running drama in TV history. Anderson believes that if NBC would have left the series alone, it would currently be in season 32.
“I feel great being back within the Wolf Entertainment family and being on the mothership,” Anderson told People. “I think had we not been unceremoniously canceled 10-plus years ago, I think the show would still be on the air and we’d be going into our 31st, 32nd season. That’s what I like to think and believe and it feels great to be back.”
Sam Waterston credits ‘Law & Order’ fans for the show’s return
Waterston pointed out to USA Today that when they stopped making Law & Order in 2010, “people went right on watching.” One of those fans is Anderson, who says he’s been watching the show since it premiered over 30 years ago.
In addition to having 20 seasons worth of reruns to enjoy during the 12-year break, fans also flocked to spinoffs like Special Victims Unit and Organized Crime.
“It’s something where you can go down a rabbit hole, and see something different and new. Even through a familiar episode that you’re watching,” Anderson said.
Ultimately, Waterston says that the “real reason” the show is back is because of the fan base. And, they “owe it all” to them.
“The audience’s persistent appetite for Law & Order is a major reason why we’re back,” Waterston said.
Law & Order season 21 premieres on Feb. 24 on NBC.
