Law and Order has been running for decades, albeit with a bit of a break in between seasons 20 and 21. When the show returned for season 21, some of the cast from season 20 came back to join the new cast. But now it is coming to light that one cast member only intended to stay for one season. According to a recent report from Deadline, Anthony Anderson will not be returning to the police procedural for Season 22.

Anderson’s character, Detective Kevin Benard, made what appears to be his final appearance in the season 21 finale. With the way the episode was written, however, there was no indication that the character would be exiting the show. Presumably, the door is open for Anderson to return at some point for a guest appearance should he wish to make one.

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Anderson first appeared in Law and Order in season 18’s “Burn Card,” where he would be brought in to replace the long-running cast member Jesse L. Martin. He would become a part of the main cast the following episode and one of the main detectives running through the end of Law and Order’s original run.

Anderson would go on to work steadily while Law and Order was on hiatus, most notably headlining his sitcom black-ish, which ended in perfect timing for him to reprise his role for season 21 of the returning Law and Order.

Anderson Had Only Planned on Doing One Season

     Law and Order/NBC

In an interview with People back in February, Anderson explained how he was the one who approached Law and Order producer Dick Wolf about reprising his role in the revival.

Anderson explained:

Anderson and Sam Waterston, who reprised his role as Assistant District Attorney Jack McCoy, returning for season 21 allowed Dick Wolf to provide viewers with something familiar while giving them a mostly new cast. According to Deadline’s sources, Anderson wanted to support Dick Wolf in the relaunch of the mothership of the franchise for one season and always planned to move on after that.

“We were, you know, we were two weeks out from ending our show black-ish. They made the announcement that Law & Order was coming back. So, I picked up the phone and called Dick Wolf up and said, Hey Dick, is it true?”

“He said, ‘It is.’ I was like, ‘Well, you know, I’m a free agent as of Nov. 19th,’” Anderson added. “And [Wolf] was like, ‘Anthony, you have no idea how happy this phone call makes me.’ "

The veteran actor already has his next project ready to begin filming, as he has signed on to do a show entitled Anthony Anderson and Mom: European Vacation for E!. This new show makes it clear that Anderson’s relationship with NBC is solid, and he will continue to work with them. The veteran actor will undoubtedly remain busy.

Law and Order will return in the fall with season 22. Although Anderson will not be returning, much of the season 21 cast will be returning. Sam Waterston will sign on for more seasons, as well.