Updated February 4, 2022 1.2K votes 487 voters 30.9K views
Over 400 Ranker voters have come together to rank this list of In The Criminal Justice System, These Are All The 'Law & Order' Series, Ranked
Voting Rules
Vote up the best show in the Law & Order television franchise.
Law & Order, the Dick Wolf's series that spawned the franchise, premiered on September 13, 1990, introducing viewers to the stories of “the police, who investigate crime, and the district attorneys, who prosecute the offenders.” Since then, there have been some great Law & Order series – expanding quickly into a sprawling franchise has spanned 29 years and counting while introducing us to over hundreds of characters.
Law & Order ran for 20 seasons, but its most popular spin-off, Law & Order: SVU, topped that in 2019 when it aired its 21st season. Mariska Hargitay has starred in every SVU season playing the dedicated law enforcement official, Olivia Benson. Law & Order: UK is an addition to the franchise from across the pond. In total, there are nine series in the Law & Order franchise, some of which only aired for one season while others have been airing for decades (and being our favorite syndicated serie. Law & Order can be credited with launching the careers of such actors as Christopher Meloni, Chris Noth, and Angie Harmon. In 2021, Organized Crime, the newest member of the Law & Order family, aired bringing with it the return of Christopher Meloni's Detective Elliot Stabler. In 2022, over a decade since the last episode aired in 2010, the original Law & Order returned for a delayed twenty-frst season.
In this list, we're going to look at all the Law & Order shows and find out once and for all which are the best in the Law & Order TV universe. In the criminal justice system, the people are represented by two separate yet equally important groups and Law & Order brings them both to viewers. Vote up the best Law & Order TV shows ever made.
Main Characters: Elliot Stabler, Olivia Benson, John Munch, Donald Cragen, Monique Jeffries, Alexandra Cabot, Odafin "Fin" Tutuola, George Huang, Casey Novak, Melinda Warner, Chester Lake, Kim Greylek, Nick Amaro, Amanda Rollins, Rafael Barba, Dominick Carisi Jr., Peter Stone.
What Made This Show Unique in the Franchise: Detectives in the Special Victims Unit of a fictional version of the New York Police Department investigate and prosecute sexually-oriented crimes. With a "ripped from the headlines" approach Law & Order: SVU unveils real-life scenarios while also following the personal lives of its characters.
Though it's amassed over 20 seasons, Law & Order: Special Victims Unit consistently delivers gripping storylines centered around the harrowing world of crime investigation. This acclaimed drama series has earned numerous accolades, including an impressive 91 wins and 214 nominations of various awards, lauding its thought-provoking narratives and powerful performances. Detective Olivia Benson (Mariska Hargitay) leads a skilled team of investigators as they navigate complex cases involving sexual assault, child abuse, and domestic violence. The show's deft balance between character-driven subplots and procedural storytelling ensures a riveting viewing experience while shedding light on pressing societal issues.
Actors: Mariska Hargitay, Ice-T, Kelli Giddish, Peter Scanavino, Octavio Pisano
Main Characters: Max Greevey, Mike Logan, Donald Cragen, Ben Stone, Paul Robinette, Adam Schiff, Phil Cerreta, Elizabeth Olivet, Lennie Briscoe, Anita Van Buren, Claire Kincaid, Jack McCoy, Rey Curtis, Jamie Ross, Abbie Carmichael, Ed Green, Nora Lewin, Serena Southerlyn, Arthur Branch, Joe Fontana, Nick Falco, Alexandra Borgia, Nina Cassady, Connie Rubirosa, Cyrus Lupo, Michael Cutter, Kevin Bernard.
What Made This Show Unique in the Franchise: This popular police procedural launched the Law & Order franchise which shares the stories of investigators and prosecutors. After a cold open, a crime – often a homicide – is investigated to identify a suspect and bring them to justice.
A long-running crime drama, Law & Order delves into the intricate workings of the criminal justice system, masterfully weaving together the narratives of police officers and district attorneys as they work tirelessly to solve cases and prosecute criminals. The series, which has garnered numerous accolades including multiple Emmy nominations, showcases a dynamic ensemble cast featuring characters such as Detective Lennie Briscoe (Jerry Orbach) and District Attorney Jack McCoy (Sam Waterston). Each episode presents a fresh case, inspired by real-life events, that keeps viewers engaged to the very end. Law & Order's impactful storytelling and compelling portrayals have solidified its place as a classic in the television landscape.
Main Characters: Alexandra Eames, Mike Logan, Zack Nichols, Robert Goren, Carolyn Barek, Megan Wheeler, Nola Falacci, Serena Stevens, James Deakins, Danny Ross, Zoe Callas, Joseph Hannah, Ron Carver, Paula Gyson,
What Made This Show Unique in the Franchise: The Major Case Squad – a group of brilliant, skilled detectives – solves high-profile and complex crimes in every episode. Often times a case will involve elected officials, business leaders, or other VIPs.
Intricately weaving complex criminal cases with the psychological underpinnings of its characters, Law & Order: Criminal Intent offers a riveting exploration of the criminal mind. The critically acclaimed series, nominated for multiple awards, follows Detective Robert Goren (Vincent D'Onofrio) and his partner Detective Alexandra Eames (Kathryn Erbe) as they delve into New York City's most intriguing and sinister crimes. With its distinctive storytelling approach, the show expertly balances procedural elements with character-driven arcs, shedding light on the motivations and strategies employed by law enforcement professionals. As viewers follow each twist and turn, they are drawn deeper into the intricate world of crime-solving, making Law & Order: Criminal Intent an engaging and thought-provoking experience.
Actors: Vincent D'Onofrio, Kathryn Erbe, Jay O. Sanders, Jeff Goldblum, Saffron Burrows
Main Characters: Detective Elliot Stabler, Richard Wheatley, Angela Wheatley, Seargent Ayanna Bell, Jet Sloomaekers
What Made This Show Unique in the Franchise: Fully a spin-off of a spin-off, Organized Crime marked the return of the fan favorite Detective Stabler, who departed SVU in season 12.
In the gritty realm of crime dramas, Law & Order: Organized Crime stands out as a compelling addition to the long-running franchise. This Emmy-nominated series delves into the sinister underbelly of New York City, where Detective Elliot Stabler (Christopher Meloni) returns to the NYPD after a personal tragedy. As he navigates the complex world of organized crime, Stabler is faced with formidable adversaries and morally ambiguous situations. The show's intricate storytelling and stellar ensemble cast, including Dylan McDermott and Tamara Taylor, keep viewers invested in the battle against corruption and injustice. With its unflinching portrayal of the criminal underworld, Law & Order: Organized Crime offers a captivating viewing experience for fans of the franchise.
Main Characters: Ronnie Brooks, Matt Devlin, Natalie Chandler, James Steel QC, Alesha Phillips, George Castle, Jake Thorne, Henry Sharpe, Sam Casey, Kate Barker, Wes Layton, Joe Hawkins, Elisabeth Flynn.
What Made This Show Unique in the Franchise: This British adaptation of Law & Order doesn't follow the character's personal lives, instead prioritizing major plots about investigations and prosecutions. Like its American counterpart, the series features a police portion and a trial portion each episode.
Detectives and prosecutors work to solve crimes and convict perpetrators.
Main Characters: Leslie Abramson, Erik Menendez, Lyle Menendez.
What Made This Show Unique in the Franchise: The first and only season features a dramatization of the story of the Menendez Brother as they were convicted for the murder of their parents. Along with the brothers, their defense attorney Leslie Abramson, played by Edie Falco, serves as the main protagonist.
This dramatic event series explores the Beverly Hills murder trial that became a national obsession.
Actors: Edie Falco, Heather Graham, Miles Gaston Villanueva, Gus Halper, Carlos Gomez
