Law & Order: Organized Crime season 5 has promoted a major recurring character ahead of the show's move from NBC. The police drama, led by Christopher Meloni as Elliot Stabler, will be making the transition to become a streaming-first series on Peacock. The premiere date for Law & Order: Organized Crime season 5 has yet to be determined, though it has been confirmed that the spinoff will continue to build on an established storyline.
Deadline reports that Dean Norris has been upgraded from a recurring actor to a main cast member for Law & Order: Organized Crime season 5, continuing to play Elliot's older brother Randall Stabler. Norris, known for his role as Hank Schader on Breaking Bad, was introduced as Randall in the previous season of Law & Order and established the siblings were once estranged.
Randall Stabler Has A Key Part In Law & Order: Organized Crime Season 5
It Expands Elliot's Family History
Prior to Norris' debut as Randall, which was first announced in December 2023, the character was described as someone who built a successful career as a real estate developer and left the family when he was young. It was teased that Randall and Elliot have tension between them because of an event involving their father. But when Norris made his on-screen debut, the relationship was revealed to be even more complex.
Randall helps Elliot take care of their mother, who is in failing health, and the pair get into their share of arguments that are brushed aside. But on a more serious note, it's revealed by their mother Bernadette (played by Ellen Burstyn) that Randall was essentially kicked out of the family at a young age, which adds another wrinkle to the already uneasy bond between the two.
Randall and Elliot do get on the same page long enough to stage an intervention for younger brother Joe Jr, who was also introduced in Law & Order: Organized Crime season 4 and is played by Michael Trotter. Having Norris as a series regular will allow the show to dive deeper into the Stabler family in the upcoming season. The upgrade for Norris, who is also known for his roles in Under the Dome, The Big Bang Theory, and Scandal, comes as he will also have a pivotal role in Ghosts season 4 as Samantha's father.
