AceShowbiz - Law & Order faced the threat of cancellation before actress Jill Hennessy joined the cast in its fourth season, she revealed in a recent interview. Hennessy, who portrayed Assistant District Attorney Claire Kincaid, spoke about the uncertain future of the long-running legal drama during Yahoo’s Unapologetically series earlier this month.

“To get a show like Law & Order – at that point, it wasn’t well-known,” Hennessy said, describing the series as being close to cancellation when she came on board. She explained that the show’s creator, Dick Wolf, was under pressure to diversify the cast by adding more female characters, which influenced casting decisions during that critical period.

“Dick Wolf was being pressured to add women to the cast, so they decided to add two female characters,” Hennessy recounted. She and fellow actress S. Epatha Merkerson were brought in as part of this initiative. According to Hennessy, this strategic casting change positively impacted the show’s ratings, which began to climb within that same year, contributing to the series’ growing success.

Law & Order initially premiered in 1990 and aired until 2010 before being taken off the air. It made a comeback on NBC in 2022, and its universe expanded with several spinoffs, including Law & Order: Special Victims Unit, Law & Order: Criminal Intent, Law & Order: Trial by Jury, Law & Order: LA, Law & Order: True Crime, and Law & Order: Organized Crime.

Hennessy remained on Law & Order through season six, when her character was written off in a car accident. Meanwhile, the franchise continues to evolve, with notable cast changes especially in Law & Order: Special Victims Unit (SVU). This spinoff, premiering in 1999, follows detectives of the NYPD’s Special Victims Unit as they investigate sexually based crimes. The series stars Mariska Hargitay, Ice T, Peter Scanavino, and Kevin Kane.

In May 2025, it was reported that Octavio Pisano and Juliana Martinez would be departing Law & Order: SVU after season 26. Pisano joined the series in season 23, while Martinez came aboard during season 26. Despite these departures, the show has been officially renewed for a 27th season. Michele Fazekas has been named the series’ first female showrunner, marking a new era for the long-running procedural.

Additionally, Kelli Giddish’s character Amanda Rollins made a confirmed return as a series regular in season 27. Giddish had originally left the show midway through season 24 in 2022 after more than a decade on SVU. She appeared occasionally in seasons 25 and 26 before rejoining the main cast for the latest season.

The broader Law & Order franchise has experienced numerous changes behind the scenes as well, particularly with its spinoff Law & Order: Organized Crime. Premiering in 2021 on NBC, this series stars Christopher Meloni reprising his role as Elliot Stabler from SVU. Since its debut, the show has seen a revolving door of showrunners.

Matt Olmstead initially took the helm when Stabler’s spinoff launched, but he stepped down later that year. Ilene Chaiken succeeded him for one season before Barry O’Brien took over. Bryan Goluboff was named showrunner for season 3 but exited after three months. Sean Jablonski replaced him but also left due to “creative differences,” with David Graziano completing the final episodes of that season.

Following the renewal of Organized Crime for a fourth season, John Shiban was brought in as the next showrunner, though his tenure was short-lived. By season 5, Matt Olmstead returned to finalize the scripts and serve as an executive producer, highlighting the ongoing instability in the showrunner position for the spinoff.

Over the years, the Law & Order franchise has adapted to industry pressures and audience expectations, with casting shifts, showrunner changes, and spinoff expansions shaping its trajectory. The early decision to add women like Hennessy and Merkerson proved pivotal in saving the original series from cancellation and setting the foundation for its enduring popularity.

As Law & Order: SVU prepares for its 27th season and Organized Crime moves forward with fresh leadership, fans will continue to see how the franchise balances legacy with innovation. The introduction of Michele Fazekas as the first female showrunner on SVU further signals a new chapter for the series as it navigates the evolving landscape of crime dramas on television.

This article is based on reporting originally published by Us Weekly.