NBC announces the Law & Order season finale 2025 dates. Find out when Law & Order: SVU and the original series go on break, the Organized Crime finale details, and the new 2026 return schedule.
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| LAW & ORDER: SPECIAL VICTIMS UNIT -- "Cornered" Episode 26008 -- Pictured: Mariska Hargitay as Capt. Olivia Benson | NBC |
The NBC Thursday Night Lineup Says Goodbye for the Year
The era of the three-hour Law & Order (Ley y Orden) block is coming to a temporary end as NBC prepares its mid-season transition. While fans of the Dick Wolf franchise are used to the typical broadcast television rhythm, the network has confirmed that November 20 will be the final night for new episodes of the crime procedural heavyweights in 2025. This move follows a similar hiatus strategy recently applied to the One Chicago shows, leaving a significant void in the Thursday night schedule for the remainder of the holiday season.
As a journalist who has closely followed the evolution of the 27th precinct and the Special Victims Unit, I can say that this break feels particularly impactful. We are currently witnessing high-stakes character arcs, especially with Mariska Hargitay continuing her legendary run as Captain Olivia Benson. The decision to pause now is a classic broadcast maneuver to preserve episodes for the winter and spring sweeps, but it doesn't make the wait any easier for those invested in the current legal battles and street-level investigations.
What will happen in the Law & Order: SVU fall finale and the original series?
The upcoming Law & Order: SVU fall finale, titled "Cornered," promises to push the team to their limits. In this episode, Bruno takes the lead on a kidnapping case involving a man’s girlfriend, but the investigation is quickly marred by inconsistencies. The tension isn't just on the streets; internal friction will see Benson facing off against Tynan after a professional disagreement, while Griffin finds himself defending his methods on the witness stand. This internal conflict has become a hallmark of Season 26, proving that after more than two decades, the show can still find fresh dramatic ground.
Simultaneously, the original Law & Order will air its finale titled "Parasite." This story focuses on detectives Riley and Walker as they investigate the high-profile murder of a CEO. The narrative hook here is the victim's will, which becomes the central motive. Price and Maroun will have to navigate a complex trial where the suspect's reputation is at stake, highlighting the "order" half of the show's famous premise. Both shows are expected to return with fresh episodes on January 8, 2026, making this a standard fall break rather than a final curtain call.
The final ride for Law & Order: Organized Crime season 5 finale on NBC
A crucial part of this NBC schedule changes announcement involves the Law & Order: Organized Crime season 5 finale. Unlike its sister series, Elliot Stabler and his crew are not just going on a fall break; they are completing their current run on the broadcast network. On November 20, the season will conclude with Stabler going rogue to track down the elusive Emery. This episode is expected to be a high-octane conclusion to what has been a gritty, serialized season that differs significantly in tone from the procedural nature of SVU.
The Law & Order: Organized Crime season 5 finale also marks a shift in the Thursday night structure. When the franchise returns in January, the 10:00 PM slot will be occupied by the second season of The Hunting Party. This means the unified "Law & Order Thursday" will be reduced to a two-hour block. While the move to Peacock for future iterations of Organized Crime has been discussed in industry circles like Deadline and Variety, this broadcast finale serves as a definitive end to the current 2025-2026 television cycle for the task force. Referencing this Section 2 detail is vital for fans to understand that the night's viewing habits will need to adjust significantly once the calendar turns.
When will Law & Order return with new episodes in 2026?
The return of the franchise is currently set for January 8, 2026, where the original series and SVU will resume their seasons. The big question remains: how will the absence of Stabler's unit affect the overall momentum of the crossover-heavy Dick Wolf universe? With the fall finales airing this Thursday, viewers are left to wonder if the cliffhangers will provide enough narrative fuel to last through the six-week hiatus. Will Benson and Stabler’s paths cross again before the season ends, or will the new schedule keep them in separate orbits for the foreseeable future?
Law & Order 2025: Season Finale and Schedule Changes
Everything you need to know about the final episodes of the year and the January 2026 return.
| Event | Value | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Fall Finale Date | Nov 20, 2025 | NBC Programming |
| Return Date 2026 | Jan 8, 2026 | Official Schedule |
| Mid-season Replacement | The Hunting Party | TV Lineup Update |