Reid Scott is leaving Law & Order after three seasons as Senior Detective Vincent Riley, with NBC tapping James Badge Dale to join the series as a new senior detective when Season 26 premieres. Scott will appear in a handful of episodes to give Riley a proper send-off, as his demanding travel schedule and time away from family contributed to the exit. Dale’s addition signals a fresh dynamic for the show, with his character set to lead a revised detective team rather than directly replacing Riley. The Season 26 cast also includes returning stars such as Hugh Dancy, Tony Goldwyn, Maura Tierney, and Odelya Halevi, and the show is moving to a new Thursday 10/9c timeslot, kicking off on October 8. Producers emphasize that this transition will allow Riley's arc to conclude on screen rather than vanish abruptly, while Dale will step in as a distinct new lead rather than filling the same exact role. The ongoing turnover underscores Law & Order’s tradition of evolving cast members as it continues its long-running run.