Jack McCoy has been a crucial part of the success of Law & Order, but it is finally time for McCoy to leave the show. Played by Sam Waterston, McCoy has been a character that has stayed with the show for decades. He first appeared in season 5, which was released in 1994, and from that point, he remained a prominent character even through the show's 2022 revival. He is a District Attorney who often desperately fights to ensure that justice is done and that criminals are left behind bars.
After a long career, McCoy has prosecuted his last criminal. In a TV Promo clip for Law & Order season 23, episode 5, McCoy expresses that he is finally saying goodbye.
The trailer features McCoy emphasizing that he has always tried to act "fairly and ethically", while flashing text reads "After 400 episodes" and "One final farewell". The upcoming episode will see Waterston and McCoy officially offer a farewell to Law & Order.
Jack McCoy's Integral Role In Law & Order Explained
No character in the show has lasted quite as long as Waterson's McCoy. The character has stuck with the cast for decades, and he has grown more important with every passing episode. The seasons have seen him rise through the prosecutorial ranks, eventually reaching the pinnacle of his career and thriving in the position. That the unconfirmed Law & Order season 24 will have to happen without McCoy's involvement is a massive change.
Waterson's position in the cast left him as more than just a veteran of the show, but in many ways, becoming the face of it. After all, 400 episodes feature him battling in court, which makes up a significant portion of each episode's runtime. When investigations conclude, the convictions fall on McCoy's skills. He may be unethical at times, but he always ensures that he is fighting for truth and justice as best as he can, which makes losing such a complex character a disappointing change.
Waterston has already released a statement emphasizing his love for the show and its characters, but the actor believes it is finally time to move on. No matter how integral the role that McCoy played in Law & Order was, every character in the show eventually says goodbye. After 400 episodes, it is finally time for Manhattan's DA to hang up his suit and make his way to retirement.
