LAW & ORDER: Sam Waterston Officially Signs on for Season 21

The LAW & ORDER revival is welcoming back one of its most iconic characters: Sam Waterston will reprise his role as District Attorney Jack McCoy in the upcoming 21st season.

“Very few casting announcements have ever given me this much pleasure,” said executive producer Dick Wolf in a statement. “Since day one, Sam has had perfect pitch when it comes to Jack McCoy as a character who both reflects and expands our ability to understand the law. He is the ultimate conscience of the show and I look forward to him emulating the career of New York District Attorney Robert Morgenthau, who served until he was 90. With both Sam and Anthony [Anderson] returning, it shows that the 21st season is merely a continuation of where we left off.”

Waterston portrayed McCoy for 16 seasons during the mothership’s original run, joining LAW & ORDER in season 5 and staying until its unexpected end in season 20. He also portrayed the character on LAW & ORDER: TRIAL BY JURY, HOMICIDE: LIFE ON THE STREET, and LAW & ORDER: SPECIAL VICTIMS UNIT. (One SVU appearance was in 2018, post-L&O’s end.)

It’ll be a big 2022 for Waterston, who also has the final season of GRACE AND FRANKIE, as well as the Hulu limited series THE DROPOUT, on the horizon. His previous TV credits also include THE NEWSROOM and GODLESS.

LAW & ORDER also stars Hugh Dancy, Jeffrey Donovan, Odelya Halevi, and Camryn Manheim.

LAW & ORDER, Premiere, Thursday, February 24, 8/7c, NBC

RELATED:

• LAW & ORDER: See the First Photos of Anthony Anderson and Jeffrey Donovan Filming Season 21
• LAW & ORDER Adds Anthony Anderson, Hugh Dancy
• NBC Boss Teases Potential LAW & ORDER and ONE CHICAGO Crossovers
• LAW & ORDER Adds Jeffrey Donovan

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