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Summary
Jeffrey Donovan joinedLaw & Orderseason 21 as the new leading Detective Frank Cosgrove , but departed the long - running law adjective after just two seasons , which the season 23 premiere finally excuse . Law & Orderhas introduced audiences to an eclectic range of characters as they lick tirelessly to solve various case that intermingle both episodic and serialized TV factor to keep the play and tension feeling fresh . Despite Donovan ’s absence fromLaw & Orderseason 23 , Frank still go forth a good enough depression to make audience interrogate what pass off to him .
In trueLaw & Orderfashion , Frank was a well - pen role who suffer out among some of his peers because of his unique dialogue , interactions with his lad detectives , and the character execution that Donovan give birth each time he was onscreen . Law & Orderwas positioning Donovan ’s Frank to be the novel booster cable of the seriesas his reference steady gather more hump with each appearing . While the detail are still unclear regarding Donovan ’s exit , the news of which break last November , Law & Orderwas able to enwrap up Frank ’s storyline to some extent , thus providing a sense of closure if not a fully satisfactory one .
The original Law & Order was off the gentle wind for over a X before it was revived in 2022 , and has now been renewed for a twenty-fourth season .
Why Jeffrey Donovan Left Law & Order
Jeffrey Donovan left Law & Order over creative differences shortly before season 23.
Donovan ’s Detective Frank Cosgrove ’s positioning asLaw & Order ’s new lead made it even more surprising that he was n’t returning for season 23 . While it is n’t exactly clean-cut why Donovan leave the show , the account given was the usual stock response thatJeffrey Donovan leftLaw & Orderover creative differences . Even though the intelligence regarding Donovan ’s exit fromLaw & Orderwas inauspicious , it is n’t rare , since principal wander phallus ofttimes leave the serial ( and sometimes return ) for various reason . For example , starAnthony Anderson leftLaw & Orderafter time of year 21 .
disregarding of Donovan ’s departure from the series , his unique observation about many of the cases he helped solve , perspective on matter tie in to race and race relations , and his nonindulgent adherence to holding his fellow lawmen accountable for doing proper law body of work made him one ofLaw & Order ’s best characters . Frank ’s absence seizure inLaw & Orderseason 23 will be noticeable . His story morass will be taken up by another character , who , despite shape up to be a big plus , will arguably struggle to replace Frank ’s brief yet memorable sentence onLaw & Order .
How The Law & Order Season 23 Premiere Handled Donovan’s Departure
Law & Order introduced a new character to fill the void left by Donovan’s absence.
Law & Orderseason 23 ’s newest investigator , Vincent Riley ( Reid Scott ) , made his debut in the season 23 premiere . With his unveiling , it ’s clear that the show is already making tread to not only supersede Frank , but to establish a character who can be just as pop if not more popular than Donovan ’s . As Cosgrove ’s replacement , Riley is now partnered with Frank ’s previous cooperator , Detective Jalen Shaw ( Mehcad Brooks ) . In the premiere , Riley ask Shaw about his former collaborator . In a brief exchange , Shaw explains that Frank Cosgrove was a unspoiled cop but was too honest : " slap-up bull , just got jammed up . Being too honest about things people are n’t too good about these days . ”
The reasoning behind Cosgrove ’s departure really earn gumption , considering that one of his more noteworthy trait was his directness and not being one to moderate words about matters relating to race , slipstream relation , and the overall sociopolitical climate of the nation , often in dated and troubling ways . Furthermore , with both of Cosgrove ’s partners being Black men - Anderson ’s Kevin Bernard and Brooks ' Shaw , his interactions with his cooperator resulted in some interesting exchanges that further enriched their relationship while giving the show a bully sense of realism concern its characters ' feelings about their jobs . Although unfortunate , Frank ’s absence seizure makes sense and was even foreshadowed .
How Law & Order Season 22 Already Set Up Frank Cosgrove Leaving The Force
Detective Cosgrove sustained a life-altering injury that perfectly set up his departure.
True to his character ’s stubbornness , Frank bruise up sustaining a life - alter injury when he was shot by suspect Matthew Nelson in a storage warehouse in theLaw & Orderseason 22 episode , " Appraisal . " After ignite up inside a hospital , he begins to interrogate his life and reconsider his life as a peace officer . After deliberating about what he should do next , the look on his aspect indicatesFrank has clearly adjudicate to leave the personnel on his own full term . While the show ’s abstract thought behind Frank ’s expiration makes gumption , it does n’t excuse Donovan ’s leave of absence of absence seizure .
Although role player leaving shows over originative differences tends to be vague , it suggests that the talent in question took offense with the centering of the show , character reference , both , or something else whole . give the strong belief that Frank sustain regarding societal media , the portrayal of law enforcement in today ’s sociopolitical climate , and view on backwash , it ’s possible Donovan ’s departure may have had something to do with not need to portray a character one could sensibly call unlearned . Regardless of the actual reasonableness , Law & Orderhandled it with grace , thus take some of the con game out of his sudden leave .
