Oh no! If Law & Order returns for a landmark 21st season next fall, television’s longest-running crime drama will be missing a very familiar face: S. Epatha Merkerson.
The NAACP Image and Emmy Award-winning actress will vacate her role as touch Lt. Anita Van Buren after 19 long years with the wildly successful police drama series, The Hollywood Reporter said Thursday. Merkerson has been a part of the cast of the popular show for 19 years and has appeared in nearly 400 episodes.
No word on what the exit will mean for Merkerson’s cancer-stricken character.
“She made the request before the cop drama was to go into production on the final episode of season 20 so her character could be given an appropriate send-off.”
The actress says: “It’s a graceful way to go. It’s the end of my contract this year, and the storyline has been so perfect. I’ve given it my best for 16 years. It’s time to move on. I’m doing other things and this will be a great way to leave what has been an extraordinary gig.”