NBC's Longest-Running Series Is About To Hit An Ultra-Rare Milestone

Custom Image by Ana Dumaraog Published Aug 23, 2026, 1:15 PM EDT Ana Dumaraog is a Writer and Editor at Screen Rant, where she expertly covers Network TV offerings, among other things She has spearheaded the effort to make the site an authority on broadcast shows, initially starting with The Big Bang Theory franchise, NCIS, and One Chicago before taking on the specialization in general. Ana has also covered a wide-spread of topics in the past — from franchises like, the MCU and Star Wars, to classic TV favorites, such as Frasier and MASH. Ana brings clarity and enthusiasm to every story she tackles—whether reporting on new releases or offering deep dives into fan-favorite franchises. Her coverage translates complex entertainment developments into engaging, audience-focused content. Sign in to your ScreenRant account When the new season of network TV starts, NBC's longest-running series will mark a major milestone that very few shows have achieved. The 2026-2027 cycle is still a few weeks away from debuting on primetime, but with all major broadcasters already confirming their respective lineups, viewers have a good idea of what to expect in terms of watching schedule. That's the great thing about network TV compared to streaming — it has a set cycle that guarantees a show's return as long as it's officially renewed. For the Peacock network, NBC's fall 2026 schedule is dominated by established shows, with major procedural franchises, such as Wolf Entertainment's One Chicago and Law & Order, leading the pack. As the entertainment industry continues to evolve, especially with how people consume media nowadays, running for over five seasons has become a rarity. That's why traditional broadcasting's existing longevity records are getting more difficult to top, hence making them more impressive. Law & Order: SVU Will Cross The 600th-Episode Mark In Season 28 Scott Gries / ©NBC / Courtesy Everett Collection For years, Law & Order: SVU has held the distinction of being the longest-running scripted show on primetime. The Mariska Hargitay-spearheaded project has been on the air since 1999, and while not a flagship series, it has already eclipsed the original, Law & Order, both in terms of number of episodes and popularity. When the fall network TV cycle begins, Law & Order: SVU will kick off season 28, which officially guarantees that it will be crossing the ultra-rare 600th-episode mark. When the 2025-2026 TV season ended, the procedural was already at 594 episodes after 21 episodes was released for that duration. This means that when it debuts the fresh cycle on October 8, 2026, it will only need six more episodes for it to officially cross the major milestone. Assuming that it won't have any have scheduling disruptions, Law & Order: SVU's special outing might roll out at the end of the year. If not, it will be released when it comes back in the midseason after the mandatory holiday break. Why Law & Order: SVU Has Continued To Be Popular After Nearly Three Decades Image for NBC via MovieStillsDB Dick Wolf's Wolf Entertainment is one of the leaders in terms of producing successful procedurals. While police shows will always need a balance between personal and professional storylines, Law & Order: SVU shines best when it comes to its weekly cases. Unlike One Chicago, which tends to prioritize the multi-episode arcs of its series regulars, making it more dramatic, its New York cousin delivers compelling procedural stories week after week, which makes the series more sustainable in the long run. Known for its ripped from the headlines approach when it comes to its storytelling, Law & Order: SVU has impressively found a way to ensure that no two cases are the same. While there might be trends and patterns, mirroring real life, no one can really accurate predict what's going to happen at the end of every hour, which keeps people invested. Couple that with fleshed-out characters, including Benson, and Law & Order: SVU has perfected the art of making a good procedural. Enjoy ScreenRant's primetime coverage? Click below to sign up for my weekly Network TV newsletter (make sure to check "Network TV" in your preferences) and get the inside scoop from actors and showrunners on your favorite series. SIGN UP NOW! Release Date September 20, 1999 Network NBC Showrunner Michael S. Chernuchin, David Graziano Cast Mariska Hargitay Olivia Benson Ice-T Odafin 'Fin' Tutuola Directors Jean de Segonzac, David Platt, Peter Leto, Alex Chapple, Juan José Campanella, Norberto Barba, Constantine Makris, Martha Mitchell, Arthur W. Forney, Michael Slovis, Steve Shill, Alex Zakrzewski, Michael Pressman, Helen Shaver, Mariska Hargitay, Michael Smith, Ted Kotcheff, Fred Berner, Jonathan Kaplan, Holly Dale, Jonathan Herron, Jud Taylor, Adam Bernstein, Jim McKay Writers Judith McCreary, David Graziano, Michael S. Chernuchin, Daniel Truly, Jonathan Greene, Amanda Green, Lisa Marie Petersen, Allison Intrieri, Lawrence Kaplow, Jose Molina, Matt Klypka, Michael R. Perry, Samantha Corbin-Miller, Barbie Kligman, Robert F. Campbell, Candice Sanchez McFarlane, Gwendolyn M. Parker, René Balcer, Robert Nathan, Wendy West, Speed Weed, Ryan Causey, Chris Brancato, Christos N. Gage Franchise(s) Law and Order Creator(s) Dick Wolf