In a significant development for “Law & Order” enthusiasts, veteran actor Sam Waterston is set to bid farewell to his iconic role as District Attorney Jack McCoy. The announcement was made by NBC on Friday, revealing that Waterston’s final episode would air on February 22.
The 83-year-old actor has portrayed the character of the New York DA for an impressive 30 years, spanning across 404 episodes since joining the show in its fifth season in 1994. Waterston’s portrayal of Jack McCoy has earned him accolades, including a Screen Actors Guild (SAG) Award, a Golden Globe Award nomination, and multiple Emmy nominations.
We reached out to Waterston’s representatives for comments regarding his departure from the long-running legal drama.
Despite stepping away from the role, Waterston made a return to the series in its 2022 revival. This marked a reunion with the familiar set and a cast of new faces, including Hugh Dancy, Camryn Manheim, Odelya Halevi, Mehcad Brooks, and Reid Scott.
Reflecting on his return, Waterston shared his initial reservations but ultimately embraced the opportunity. “I was of two minds about whether to do it or not. I asked myself, ‘Hadn’t I already done this? And really did I need to be doing it again?’ But I came around to the idea that it was at least worth a try,” he told USA TODAY. “And when I stepped on the set, it was new, but it was the exact same set we had been working on 12 years ago. It made the hairs on my arm stand up.”
The return of Waterston’s character was welcomed by series creator and producer Dick Wolf, who expressed relief that the actor agreed to reprise his role. “Fortunately, we never had to face that question,” Wolf said in 2022. “It was always my intent to have Sam return. I’m glad he said yes.”
Now, as Waterston bids adieu to the role of Jack McCoy, the torch will be passed to actor Tony Goldwyn, known for his role in “Scandal” and various other projects. Goldwyn, 63, will take on the mantle of the new District Attorney in the series.
In addition to his extensive tenure on “Law & Order,” Sam Waterston has made notable guest appearances as McCoy on “Law & Order: Special Victims Unit.” He also starred as Sol Bergstein in the Netflix series “Grace and Frankie” for seven seasons, showcasing his versatility as an actor.
The departure of such a seasoned actor from a role that has become synonymous with the show marks a significant moment in the history of “Law & Order.” As the series undergoes this transition, viewers can anticipate a new chapter with Tony Goldwyn stepping into the shoes of the District Attorney in what promises to be a compelling evolution for the iconic legal drama.
The news of Sam Waterston’s exit comes as “Law & Order: SVU” celebrates its 25th anniversary milestone, further adding to the series’ legacy in the realm of television crime dramas.