NBC’s Law & Order is kicking off its milestone 25th season with a fresh face joining the squad. Star Trek: Discovery alum David Ajala has signed on as a series regular, stepping into the role of an NYPD detective alongside Reid Scott’s Det. Vincent Riley.
Ajala’s first appearance will come a few episodes into the season, filling the spot left vacant after Mehcad Brooks’ exit earlier this year. Brooks played Detective Jalen Shaw for three seasons before departing the series. In a rare move for the procedural, Scott’s character will work solo during the first few cases of the season before Ajala enters the picture.
The new season launches Thursday, September 25, at 8 p.m. ET/PT on NBC, followed by Law & Order: SVU. Episodes will also stream next day on Peacock.
Season 25 keeps its core team intact: Tony Goldwyn returns as District Attorney Nicholas Baxter, Maura Tierney as Lt. Jessica Brady, Hugh Dancy as Executive ADA Nolan Price, Odelya Halevi as ADA Samantha Maroun, and Reid Scott as Det. Riley.
Law & Order, produced by Universal Television and Wolf Entertainment, remains the longest-running law enforcement drama on television. First revived in 2022 after a 12-year hiatus, the series continues its trademark balance of gritty investigations and high-stakes legal drama, often pulling inspiration from real-world headlines.
With Ajala now in the mix, Season 25 promises to keep viewers hooked as the squad faces new cases and courtroom battles.
Ajala is best known for playing Cleveland Booker across three seasons of Star Trek: Discovery. His screen résumé also includes roles in Nine Bodies in a Mexican Morgue (MGM+), The Jetty (BBC), Supergirl (The CW), and Falling Water (USA). Next up, he’ll star in Netflix’s The Woman in Cabin 10, premiering October 10.