Camryn Manheim leaves ‘Law & Order’

Camryn Manheim as Lt. Kate Dixon on “Law & Order.”

Virginia Sherwood/NBC

Law and order loses another veteran actor.

The NBC drama will bid farewell to star Camryn Manheim on May 16, during the season 23 finale. The actress was a key part of the cast when Dick Wolf revived the flagship series for its 21st season.

Manheim becomes second star to leave L&O this season with its upcoming release on the heels of original star Sam Waterston, who left in February as DA Jack McCoy. He appeared in more than 400 episodes of the flagship series and returned to lead the revival which remains a priority for Wolf and NBC.

To fill the void created by Waterston’s departure, L&O former recruit Scandal Favorite Tony Goldwyn will be the show’s new AD and will join a cast that also includes Hugh Dancy, Reid Scott, Mechad Brooks and Odelya Halevi.

“I thank Camryn for her three wonderful seasons which helped us relaunch Law and order. She is a class act and I wish her nothing but the best in her next chapter,” Wolf said in a statement to The Hollywood Reporter.

Manheim’s departure comes as TV shows face increasing pressure to cut budgets, amid a period of industry-wide contraction and a backdrop of declining linear viewership for shows. Other shows, like CBS Bob Hearts Abisholareduced series regulars to recurring status, and some, like Blue blood, agreed to cut salaries in order to keep the show on the air.

Rick Eid is the showrunner of the flagship L&O, who will join the spin-off SVU and the three Wolf shows Chicago franchise on NBC’s roster for the 2024-25 season. Spin off Organized crime will move to Peacock for its next season.