Another series regular is leaving Law & Order ahead of its 25th season—the fifth main cast departure since the series was resurrected in 2022 for its 21st season. Mehcad Brooks, who played Detective Jalen Shaw, is exiting the show after three seasons.
No reason was given for the departure, according to Deadline, though it was described as a mutual decision. Brooks currently has a recurring role on And Just Like That and stars in the upcoming Mortal Kombat film. Before joining Law & Order, he wrapped a six-season run as Jimmy Olsen on Supergirl.
Brooks originally replaced Anthony Anderson, one of only two L&O actors to return for the revival, along with Sam Waterston. Anderson stayed for just one season, while Waterston left last year after more than two decades and 404 episodes. Jeffrey Donovan and Camryn Manheim have also exited the series in recent years; interestingly, neither has resurfaced elsewhere since.
Only Odelya Halevi and Hugh Dancy remain from the first season of the revival, though the fate of Halevi’s character is uncertain following the cliffhanger that closed out season 24. It’s also unclear whether Brooks will appear in season 25 before being written out, though abrupt exits are not unusual for the franchise. Brooks was fantastic in the role, so it’s a blow for the series, although it rarely misses a beat transitioning between cast members.
Casting is underway for a new detective to replace Brooks. Season 25 of the long-running procedural will return on NBC this fall.
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