It’s hard to believe that a “Law & Order” spinoff would get nixed by NBC, but that’s what happened to “Law & Order: For the Defense.”
The latest show created by Dick Wolf was slated to lead off an entire block of “Law & Order” shows on Thursday nights on NBC. That will not happen now, according to an article from TVline.com.
NBC reportedly gave this new show a go-ahead without even needing to see a pilot. But those plans have been scrapped and “For the Defense” isn’t getting made. At least not by the Peacock channel.
“The Blacklist” starring James Spader will fill the leadoff spot on Thursday nights. “Law & Order: SVU” and “Law & Order: Organized Crime” will return in their 9 p.m. and 10 p.m. Eastern timeslots.
‘Law & Order’ Spinoff Not Getting Go-Ahead Is Unique For Wolf’s Franchise
No reason was exactly given for NBC’s about-face on the new show. But the network and Universal Television will reportedly work on another spinoff idea with Wolf.
Wolf’s “Law & Order” franchise of programs has been very successful and lucrative for NBC. Seeing one of the spinoffs get canceled even before making it to the primetime lineup is, in a sense, shocking.
The first show of the franchise appeared on NBC on Sept. 13, 1990, and would stay on until May 24, 2010. During its 20-season run, actors like Jerry Orbach, Sam Waterston, Jill Hennessey, Angie Harmon, and Chris Noth would be a part of it.
Besides the main show, “SVU,” and “Organized Crime,” other shows that have fallen under the “Law & Order” umbrella included “Criminal Intent,” “Trial by Jury,” “LA,” and “True Crime.”
Wolf has been the mastermind behind all of these shows, though. He’s provided NBC with lots of programming for more than two decades. So NBC, despite not giving “For the Defense” a full green light, isn’t giving up on working with him at all.
Original Show’s Fans Might Want To Check Out Where To Watch Episodes
“Law & Order” has a devoted fan base and a lot of them probably would like to see some early episodes of the NBC drama.
Where can you go and watch them?
Peacock has the full franchise available for anyone to catch an episode. But the original series is available only for Premium account holders at this time.
The other series, though, is available for free. Just go create an account on Peacock and enjoy some “Law & Order” episodes at home. So you can go watch a younger Mariska Hargitay show up as Detective Oliva Benson on “SVU.” Also, you can go catch Benson’s old partner, Eliot Stabler [Christopher Meloni], kicking up trouble on “Organized Crime.”
Don’t be shocked to see another show out of Wolf under his franchise appear soon on NBC.
