After Deadline exclusively revealed Mehcad Brooks‘ exit from Law & Order in July, the NBC revival has explained what happened to his Det. Jalen Shaw.
In Thursday’s Season 25 premiere, Lt. Jessica Brady (Maura Tierney) tells Det. Vincent Riley (Reid Scott) of his former’s partner fate in a quick exchange that leaves Brooks’ character open for a potential return, following the actors departure after three seasons.
“I just spoke to Shaw. Something opened up over at the 8-8, and he’s going to take it,” says Lt. Brady of Shaw’s new position at the 88th Precinct of the NYPD.
“I knew he wanted to get back to Brooklyn. So good for him,” says Riley in response. “I’m going to miss that guy, though.”
Shaw’s first appearance in the franchise came in a 2022 episode of Law & Order: Organized Crime, part of a crossover event with parent series Law & Order: Special Victims Unit. He joined the flagship series with Season 22 in 2022,, filling the void left by the departure of Anthony Anderson‘s Det. Kevin Bernard, after the show was revived earlier that year from its original 1990-2010 run.
As Deadline previously reported, Brooks’ exit from the series was mutual as he explores other opportunities. Although the majority of the cast has returned for Season 25, they will be in fewer episodes as part of a cost-saving measure.
David Ajala has since joined the cast as a new series regular, to serve as a new counterpart for Det. Riley.