Camryn Manheim joined the cast of Law & Order as Lieutenant Kate Dixon when Dick Wolf revived the series for Season 21. Since then, Manheim has been a key part of the cast, which features many members from the original series. After three seasons playing the new lieutenant, Manheim announced her departure from the beloved series, which took many fans by surprise.
Manheim's character, Lt. Kate Dixon, is widely loved among fans. While some may have preferred the lieutenant in the original run, Manheim's performance easily won fans' hearts, leaving fans wanting more from Kate Dixon, sometimes feeling like she wasn't involved enough in the active case of the show. Manheim isn't the first important cast member to leave Dick Wolf's Law & Order revival. Her exit follows the departure of an original cast member, Sam Waterson, who played D.A. Jack McCoy and had more than 400 episodes under his belt.
This article was updated on September 1, 2024, by Christopher Raley: The original Law & Order was a staple of nighttime TV starting in 1990 and fans were excited to see the show reboot in 2022. More details about Camryn Manheim's departure have been added to this article, and it has been updated to conform to CBR's current publishing standards.
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Why Did Camryn Manheim Leave the Show?
There Is No Clear Answer At This Time
The news of Camryn Manheim leaving the show left many fans sad. However, the decision seems to have been mutual. Manheim left on good terms with the studio. She posted an announcement of her departure from the show on Instagram commenting that she had only wonderful things to say about the experience and how working on the show has been what she wanted to do every day she woke up. "I had the most incredible experience being a part of the Law & Order Universe, and more importantly the Wolfpack," she wrote.
- On her Instagram post, Manheim also wrote: "Something wonderful awaits me around the corner, and I can't wait to see what it is. Until then… Go Knicks!"
- She is the second star to leave the show.
However, Manheim didn't leave the show for other projects or commitments, causing some to wonder if her departure is about something else entirely. Dick Wolf's response to the news also doesn't give fans much to go on for. It seems that the decision might have been out of the actor's hands; still, they remain professional and respectful about parting ways. "I thank Camryn for her three wonderful seasons helping us relaunch Law & Order. She is a class act and I wish her nothing but the best for her next chapter," Wolf told The Hollywood Reporter.
Manheim marks the second star to part ways with Law & Order. Her exit came after the departure of Sam Waterston, who played D. A. Jack McCoy as one of the original stars of Law & Order, who has appeared in more than 400 episodes. With broadcast shows experiencing a decline in linear viewership and an industry-wide era of contraction, many are currently under increasing pressure to lower budgets. Shows are making changes to remain on the air. Blue Boods took pay cuts to remain afloat (to no avail), while Bob Hearts and Abishola reduced series regulars to recurring roles. It's very possible that Manheim's departure might have something to do with the current hardships in the industry.
How Law & Order Set Up the Season 23 Finale
D.A. Baxter Heads a High-Profile Murder Investigation
The Season 23 finale of Law & Order focuses on D.A. Nicholas Baxter's high-profile investigation of the killing of a famed sports star at a red-carpet event. Detectives Riley and Shaw trace some leads and follow the clues to a stalker named Kyle Taggert. Lt. Dixon helps secure a warrant to bring their top suspect into custody. However, because Kyle was stalking the star, he ended up filming the entire shooting, which reveals that the bullet was actually aimed at Baxter, not the sports star.
- Kate Dixon was in the 27th precinct as the commanding officer of the North Manhattan Homicide Squad.
- She had a son and two ex-husbands who were not named.
As they continue to investigate the attempted killing, the detectives trace the weapon to a gang member, Hector Conseco, whose business was affected by Baxter's campaign. Baxter's daughter confirms that she saw Hector outside their family's house a week ago. However, when a key witness is murdered, a murder weapon and bullets are the only evidence linking Hector to the case. Baxter is asked to consider a plea bargain, but he doesn't.
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How Does the Season 23 Finale Resolve the Conflict?
Does Lt. Dixon Play a Further Role?
The prosecution hits a setback when the new District Attorney is put on the stand. He admits to having prosecuted Conseco's previous gang associates, which might seem like a motive to kill him. However, the judge, after hearing from both sides, rules that Conseco's previous gang affiliation can not be considered in this case. Baxter's daughter, Carrie, is then put on the stand against his wife's wishes, due to the risk of making her a target and revealing a family secret.
- Baxter is an ambitious D.A. with deep political connections.
- After being sworn in, Baxter arrived at a crime scene, which surprised detectives.
Baxter takes the risk regardless because he needs Carrie's testimony about seeing Hector around their home, but Carrie ends up spilling the family secret. During cross-examination, Carrie admits to having hit a man when she was in college and driving under the influence, a felony that her father called in a favor to have reduced to a misdemeanor. Despite the setback and drama, Hector was eventually deemed guilty by the jury. Baxter's election results, on the other hand, were too close to call.
Did Law & Order Write Off Kate Dixon?
The Show Did Not Address Dixon's Departure
Even though Kate Dixon isn't going to return to Law & Order, the show didn't actually write her character off in the season finale. Kate Dixon remained in her role of overseeing the investigation. Camryn Manheim made Kate a convincing character. Many fans have expressed their desire to see more screen time for the character. However, Kate's lack of participation in the investigations throughout the three seasons may be why the character doesn't need to be written off the show.
Camryn Manheim did a great job portraying an authoritative and lovable character who can easily attract viewers' hearts. However, her character didn't have an active storyline or much development. Her scenes mostly took place in the police station and were relatively irrelevant to the investigations. Dixon didn't get involved with the investigations as much as the lieutenant in the original run. Anita Van Buren was on the ground a lot more. Not only had Anita been a suspect in one of the cases, but she also went against the Chief of Detectives and McCoy to stand up for one of her own.
- Anita was a tough lieutenant who took charge of situations.
- Kate made an impression but mostly stayed in her line.
It's likely that Kate Dixon's departure will be briefly acknowledged in the new season when a new lieutenant is introduced to the station. The current Season 23 finale didn't spare any screen time for Dixon to say farewell. The episode focused solely on the Baxter case instead. Dixon was still seen doing her usual duty, so the news of her leaving the station will likely be addressed in the next season, making it as uneventful as possible.
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Who Will Replace Camryn Manheim?
An ER Alum Will Join the Cast
In July, it was revealed that Maura Tierney joined the cast of Law & Order Season 24. Nimble minds will remember her as an alum of ER, who played Abby Lockhart. While her casting as a regular has been confirmed, it has not officially been revealed what role she will play, but it doesn't take a lot of imagination to at least guess that she will be the new lieutenant. But, again, nothing has been said officially.
- Tierney acted in ER from 1999 to 2008.
- She also had a role in the Christopher Nolan film, Insomnia.
If Tierney doesn't end up playing the new lieutenant, fans have speculated about some other possibilities. Many fans are hoping to see a familiar face return to the show. Anita Van Buren was written off the show before the reboot in Season 20. She retired following her battle with cancer. However, her return could be easily arranged by having the character successfully recover from the disease. Actor Epatha Merkerson, who played Anita Van Buren, is currently playing Sharon Goodwin in Chicago Med. However, she might be leaving the show since her character's ex-husband Bert has been diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease, making Goodwin more likely to step down as the Chief of Patient.
Many also suspect that a younger actor could be cast to play the lieutenant since they'll be expected to be on the ground for more active investigations, which could spice up the dynamic among characters in Law & Order. With the Dick Wolf Universe having a history of casting The Patient alums, fans have also speculated that the cast for the new lieutenant might be someone familiar. After all, Manheim isn't an easy actor to replace.
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Where Does Law & Order Go From Here?
Here's What Fans Can Expect
Law & Order has been renewed for its 24th season and is set to premiere in fall 2024 on NBC. With Season 23 in the bag, Camryn Manheim officially gone from the show, and Maura Tierney officially in, there's no official word on who will replace Kate Dixon as the new lieutenant. With Anita being "the authoritative lieutenant" and Manheim being Manheim, whoever takes the torch will need to be equally convincing and instant to love.
- Tierney portrayed a tough-minded doctor in ER, so she could potentially fill those shoes.
- She also had a small role in one episode of Law & Order back in 1991.
Though it's not clear if Sam Waterston will be returning as a recurring character, Reid Scott will be replacing Jeffrey Donovan as Detective Vincent Riley. As long-time fan-favorite shows navigate the new realities of TV and viewers see favorite characters leave and favorite shows get canceled, at least Law & Order will be coming back in the fall. And even if Kate Dixon didn't get the screen time fans wanted, they can hope that the new lieutenant will.
