Summary
Kate Dixon’sLaw & Orderreplacement recalls a decades-old cameo role. Lieutenant Kate Dixon was played by Camryn Manheim inLaw & Order. Manheim was a lead and series regular throughout all three rebooted seasons ofLaw & Order, the first of which went on air again in 2022 after a 13-year hiatus. As she was appearing inLaw & Orderseasons 21, 22, and 23, the character ofDixon also made two special appearances inLaw & Order: SVU,guest starring as Dixon in two episodes ofSVUseason 24.
Now, the main show is gearing up for theLaw & Orderseason 24premiere on Thursday, October 3. Back in May, it was announced that Manheim would be leaving her role of Dixon on the series, leaving theLaw & Orderteam needing a new leadfor the show. As per a recent announcement,Law & Orderhas found their Dixon replacement, and it will be an actor who will make a cameo from years earlier.
I Really Hope Law & Order Season 24 Ditches One Bad Habit That The Show Originally Did So Well
Law & Order may be one of the longest-running police procedurals, but I need it to get rid of this one bad habit before season 24 begins.
Maura Tierney Is Replacing Kate Dixon As A Series Regular In Law & Order Season 24
The Nature Of Tierney’s Role Is Under Wraps
Earlier this week,Maura Tierney was announced as a series regular inLaw & Orderseason 24. Details as to what character she will play are still under wraps, but she will be one of the leads in the series. Tierney’s casting is part of a host of recent changes to theLaw & Ordercast since rebooting the series, as cast members have come and gone, including Anthony Anderson and Jeffrey Donovan, who left after seasons 21 and 22, respectively.
Law & Orderseason 23’s endingdid not write off Dixon in any way, so the next season will have to find a wayto do so. With Manheim gone, the character will not receive an on-screen goodbye,making it such that theLaw & Orderteam will have to find a clever way to explain the character’s absence. With Manheim replaced by Tierney, the new actor will also have to be introduced in the upcomingLaw & Orderseason, making for a busy pilot.
Maura Tierney Once Played A Small Role In Law & Order Season 2
Tierney Was In One Episode In 1991
Though she has never been a series regular before, this is not the first time that Tierney has ever appeared inLaw & Order. The actor had a small cameo role back inLaw & Orderseason 2. She played acharacter named Patricia ‘Patti’ Blainein season 2, episode 3, “Aria.” The episode aired on July 17, 2025, and was Tierney’s only credit in theLaw & Orderfranchise before her upcoming role in season 24.
When Tierney first appeared inLaw & Order, she was a much smaller-name star than she is now. Before her brief role as Patti, her credits include a recurring role inThe Dick Van Dyke Showand a one-off part inFamily Ties. Since then, she has gone on to star in several films and TV shows, including this year’s titlesTwistersandAmerican Rust, which released its second season earlier this year. Now a much more recognizable star, Tierney’s addition toLaw & Orderis even more exciting.
Maura Tierney Is No Stranger To NBC Shows
Tierney Previously Played A Role In ER
One of Tierney’s claims to fame was actually through another NBC show. Said series wasER, the hit medical procedural that ran from 1994 to 2009.Tierney played Abby Lockhartin the NBC series. After making her debut as the character in 1999, she went on to star in 189 episodes and appeared on the series up until its conclusion. Abby was a fan-favorite character in the drama series, and Tierney even earned an Emmy nomination for Best Supporting Actress for the role in 2001.
Tierney lost the Emmy to Allison Janney’s performance inThe West Wing.
Thus,Law & Orderseason 24 marks two important returns for Tierney. For one, Tierney’s man part will pay off her cameo from 33 years ago, giving her more screen time on the series rather than just a single episode. Secondly, it will mark Tierney’s triumphant return to NBC. BothERandLaw & Orderwere/are vital series for the network. After the upcoming season ofLaw & Order, Tierney will be a part of the success of both procedurals and will hopefully continue to contribute beyond the first season.
Law & Order
Cast
Law & Order is a procedural crime drama series that premiered in 1990, featuring New York City police detectives and prosecutors as they investigate and prosecute serious crimes. The show is known for its two-part approach, dividing between the crime-solving efforts of the detectives and the legal proceedings in court.
