When will Law & Order Season 23 start filming?

Law & Order has a significant change coming for Season 23. Here’s a look at how soon before the iconic series can start filming for the new year.

Usually, Law & Order would be halfway through a season by this point. However, like all network shows, the iconic series was delayed by the combined WGA and SAG strikes shaking up Hollywood. Thankfully, both have been settled, with the writers already at work crafting a new season.

However, Season 23 is going to have a major challenge with the surprising news Jeffrey Donovan is leaving the series after two seasons. So his Frank Cosgrove character will have to be written out, and a new partner for Jalen Shaw (Mehcad Brooks) introduced in the season premiere.

So, with such a big change coming, when can Season 23 start filming in time for a premiere?

When could Law & Order Season 23 start filming?

According to Deadline, the series is among the many set to start production after the Thanksgiving break. It generally takes three to six weeks of pre-production work for an episode of a network drama, and Law & Order may be faster to produce than other series, but it is still a challenge.

The sudden departure of Cosgrove means the writers have to create a new lead detective character and shift up the dynamics of the show. There’s no word on any other cast changes, so the rest of the show should be intact, and there is no shortage of “ripped from the headlines” stories to use as fodder.

NBC is waiting to announce its revised 2024 schedule, with Law & Order expected to have about 13 episodes. At least fans are certain the show will return, and hopefully, spring will bring that familiar “Chung-chung” sound effect with the usual daring storylines to spark Law & Order up.

Law & Order Season 23 premieres on NBC in 2024.