NBC has a reason for not airing new episodes of theLaw and Orderfranchise tonight (June 16, 2025). AlthoughLaw & Order: Organized Crimeseason 5has already dropped a new episode on Peacock, the two broadcast entries in the franchise are taking a hiatus. This break is especially frustrating because it comes right after a strong crossover episode that revolved around the death of Maria Recinos, a cop who had once been a child that Benson (Mariska Hargitay) rescued from a terrifying situation.

Throughout the two-hour special,SVU’s Benson andLaw & Order’s Brady (Maura Tierney) clashed repeatedly over how to handle the case, and once an arrest had been made, Benson disagreed with the DA’s office’s decision to subpoena a traumatized rape victim who was reluctant to come forward. Fortunately, this story was self-contained, so there are no significant cliffhangers that have to wait until after the hiatus to be resolved. However, it is still annoying to have to wait for the next episodes in bothLaw & Orderseason 24andLaw & Order: SVUseason 26.

Law & Order SVU Benson sitting with a survivor in the spectator section of the courtroom and giving her a concerned look

Why There Are No New Law & Order & Law & Order: SVU Tonight (August 14, 2025)

The Network Is Airing Reruns Instead

While some hiatuses have been due to NBC choosing to run reruns ofSuits: LAin place of theLaw & Orderfranchise, that is not the case on April 24. Instead,NBC is rerunning old episodes ofLaw & OrderandLaw & Order: SVU.At 8 PM ET, NBC is rerunningLaw & Orderseason 24, episode 3, guest starring Ryan Eggold as Riley’s troubled brother, followed by a rerun ofLaw & Order: SVUseason 26, episode 7, which revolves around Carisi’s pursuit of a pedophile while Bruno tries to solve a serial rape case.

What NBC is Airing In Place Of New Episodes of The Law And Order Franchise On June 05, 2025

Law & Order SVU Carisi in the courtroom with his hand to his chin

Law & Order season 24, episode 3, “Big Brother”

Law & Order: SVU season 26, episode 7, “TenFold”

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9 PM ET

It is common for networks to have short hiatuses at this point in the season.Taking breaks near the end of April allows the network to ensure that there are enough new episodes of each show left to last until mid-May,when network TV programs typically wrap up their seasons for the summer. This hiatus also allows the production team to catch up if it has fallen behind schedule, so that new episodes will be ready to air at the proper time.

When Will Law & Order Season 24, Episode 20 & Law & Order: SVU Season 26, Episode 20 Release?

This Hiatus Is Very Short

Fortunately, this break will last only a week, withnew episodes ofLaw & OrderandLaw & Order: SVUscheduled to air on July 24, 2025.While this short break is frustrating, it will be over far more quickly than the winter hiatus, which lasted from the end of November 2024 until after the New Year. Additionally, this is likely the last hiatus before the shows wrap up for the summer, as new episodes are scheduled to air in the last month of the TV season.

The one-week hiatus allows the audience to catch up on any episodes that have been missed. All episodes ofLaw & Orderseason 24 andLaw & Order: SVUseason 26that have already been aired on network TV are available to stream on Peacock, making it easy to watch or rewatch them. Additionally,Law & Order: Organized Crimeseason 5, episode 3 has dropped on Peacock and thus can be watched at any timethat is convenient while waiting for the new episodes of the otherLaw & Orderseries to air.

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What To Expect From Law & Order Season 24, Episode 20 & Law & Order: SVU Season 26, Episode 20

The newest episodes on May 1 will feature the twists, turns, and thorny legal issues that audiences have come to expect from theLaw & Orderfranchise. First,Law & Orderseason 25, episode 20, “Sins of The Father,” will focus on the murder of an auto mechanic who Shaw(Mehcad Brooks) and Riley (Reid Scott) suspect was involved in sinister activities. This episode promises to have a big twist in the legal side of the story,with the DA’s office being forced to face the truth about who really committed this heinous crime.

This episode [ofLaw & Order: SVU] will also feature Rollins' latest guest appearance, and she may get involved with the case instead of being present only to support Carisi through his trauma.

TheLaw and Orderfranchise will follow this up withLaw & Order: SVUseason 26, episode 20, “Shock Collar,” which could be one of thecreepiest episodes ofLaw & Order: SVU. This scary-sounding story revolves around a stolen car taken while a young girl was in the back seat, raising questions about whether the girl was the thieves' real target or if it was a coincidence that she was taken. This episode will also feature Rollins' latest guest appearance, and she may get involved with the case instead of being present only to support Carisi through his trauma.