Are new episodes of the Law & Order shows on tonight? (February 15, 2024)

The Law & Order shows just started their seasons but are already taking a break! Why is it happening, and when will they return?

It’s no secret the 2023-24 TV season is not a normal one. Thanks to the massive WGA and SAG strikes occurring over the summer of 2023, all network TV shows were delayed, with ABC and CBS waiting until mid-February to start broadcasting new episodes. 

NBC, however, decided to get a big jump on things by beginning their seasons in January. So, Law & Order, Law & Order: SVU, and Law & Order: Organized Crime all returned on Thursday, Jan. 18. That was a smart move by the network to get a lead in the ratings before other shows came back. 

However, this also means that to extend the seasons to their planned 13-episode runs ending in May, the shows will be taking more breaks than the other networks that start later. Thus, all three shows will rerun their respective season premieres this Thursday, Feb. 15. 

A good reason is that CBS will be unveiling the season premieres of its Thursday lineup of Young Sheldon, Ghosts, and So Help Me Todd, along with a rerun of the series premiere of Tracker. NBC likely figures that with so many viewers tuning into those, it’s best for the Law & Order shows not to compete. 

So when do the three shows return?

When does Law & Order Thursdays return?

Thankfully, it’s just a one-week break, as all three shows will be back with new episodes on Thursday, Feb. 22.

Law & Order has a huge episode ahead as it will be the grand farewell for Sam Waterston as his Jack McCoy character retires following an epic 400-plus episode run. 

Law & Order: SVU has Benson consumed with finding the girl she saw being kidnapped in the Season 25 premiere, which may risk both her life and career.

A similar plot will be on Law & Order: Organized Crime as Stabler learns a girl he saved from mobsters in Season 2 has gone missing and takes it upon himself to rescue her. 

So it’s a brief break, but fans can expect some huge moments when all three Law & Order shows return on Thursday, Feb. 22. 

Law & Order Thursdays return on Thursday, Feb. 22, starting at 8/7c on NBC. Catch up on Peacock.