Law and Order was a police procedural and legal drama series that earned rave reviews in its heyday, launching a franchise that currently consists of multiple spin-off shows and a TV movie. While the original series that started it all was unceremoniously canceled over a decade ago, producer Dick Wolf will get another chance to continue the story now that NBC has renewed Law and Order for a 21st season.

Premiering on NBC in 1990, Law and Order episodes would initially focus on the investigation of a crime and subsequent apprehension of a suspect by NYPD detectives. The second half of the hour would center on the prosecution of the defendant by the Manhattan District Attorney's Office. The series had a revolving cast throughout its 20-season run, with the roster of stars consisting of Sam Waterson as Executive Assistant District Attorney Jack McCoy, the late Jerry Orbach as Detective Lennie Briscoe, S. Epatha Merkerson as Lieutenant Anita Van Buren, Angie Harmon as Abbie Carmichael, and future The Flash star Jesse L. Martin as Detective Ed Green, to name just a few.

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Law and Order came to an abrupt end in 2010 after contract negotiations fells though. Now that NBC has renewed Law and Order for a 21st season, Wolf will return alongside writer-showrunner Rick Eid, with the latter overseeing the new chapter of the series. While there is currently no release date set for Law and Order's return to television, the renewal fulfills Wolf's longtime desire to continue the series. "There are very few things in life that are literally dreams come true," he said in a statement. "This is mine"

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"Law & Order is quite simply one of the most iconic shows in television history, and the idea of continuing its legacy and partnering with Dick on an all-new season is nothing short of exhilarating," said NBCUniversal Television and Streaming Chairman Susan Rovner in a statement. "This is great news for NBC as well as TV fans everywhere." Casting for Law and Order season 21 has yet to be announced, although some fan-favorites from the show's first 20 seasons are expected to return. Reportedly, Waterson is the veteran star the network wants to see return the most.

While the first Law and Order series may have ended in 2010, Wolf and Eid have not strayed far from the world of procedural television in the years since. Both serve as executive producer and showrunner, respectively, on the spin-off series Law and Order: SVU, which continues its 23-season run to this day. Eid has also worked on CBS' FBI and NBC's Chicago Fire, both of which were created by Wolf.

Modern audiences are used to canceled shows being renewed, often by another network, but to see a show return a decade after its initial run ended is not as common. At least, that used to be the case, though revivals of shows that concluded several years ago, like Dexter: New Blood and The Wonder Years, are becoming more and more popular as networks try to capitalize on nostalgia.

Law and Order is available to stream on Amazon Prime Video.

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Source: Collider