Law & Order confirms cast exit ahead of season 23
Law & Order has some big news for fans of Dick Wolf's long-running procedural drama as it will be without one of its series regulars in the upcoming season.
NBC's hit series won't feature Jeffrey Donovan in its 23rd chapter, with the actor's stern Detective Frank Cosgrove handing in his badge after having appeared in the show's last two seasons.
According to TVLine, Donovan left due to creative differences. It isn't clear how the show will explain Cosgrove's exit in the new instalment after the character last appeared in the season 22 finale alongside his partner Shaw (Mehcad Brooks), with the duo arresting a waiter who murdered a US senator.
Related: Law and Order: Organised Crime and SVU crossover ends with tragic loss
Donovan is the latest Law & Order star to exit the show. Last year, Anthony Anderson, known for the role of Detective Kevin Bernard on the series, left the revival behind after just one season.
Anderson first played Bernard in season 18, returning for season 21 on a one-year deal. He explained he wouldn't sign for another season to be able to pursue other endeavours.
"I wanted to go off and create more shows like Black-ish, create things that I have ownership in, and do something a little bit different," he told Entertainment Tonight at the time.
Related: Law & Order: SVU's Kelli Giddish reveals she's pregnant and confirms sex of baby
Despite the turnover, Wolf's franchise is still going strong, with Law & Order set to cross the border with Canada-set spinoff Law & Order Toronto: Criminal Intent.
The new series, slated for a 2024 release, will see a group of detectives investigating high-profile corruption and crime in the city.
Law & Order, Law & Order: SVU and Law & Order: Organized Crimeair on NBC in the US. The shows air on Sky Witness in the UK, with select episodes available on NOW.
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