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NBC Universal is turning its distribution model on its head with Season 5 of “Law & Order: Organized Crime,” the first series in the esteemed franchise to be streamed in its entirety on Peacock — but not before a star-studded sendoff on NBC.
The premiere episode of the Christopher Meloni-led spinoff will air on NBC at 10 p.m. ET following a two-hour crossover episode between “Law & Order” and “Law & Order: SVU” on Thursday night. While “Organized Crime” won’t be included in the crossover storyline, NBC is using the buzz from its flagship shows to propel awareness for the Peacock shift. After its NBC premiere, the series will stream exclusively on Peacock for the remainder of Season 5.
The crossover tale starts with a phone call to SVU’s Capt. Olivia Benson (Mariska Hargitay) that leads to a gruesome murder case. SVU detectives and the 2-7 uncover a series of rape and murder of women on the fringes. Assistant District Attorney Price and ADA Carisi team up to prosecute the perpetrator, setting the stage for an action-packed revival for the franchise.
In the meantime, “Found,” the show that had been holding down the Thursday 10 p.m. time slot, will shift to Monday, April 14, before returning to its regular schedule the next week.
Although “Organized Crime” is no longer technically part of NBC’s regular schedule, franchise synergy still comes first. Hargitay told Variety that she expects a lot of crossover between SVU and Organized Crime, no matter the platform divide. “They want us together,” she said. “Chris [Meloni] and I were talking about it — it’s time.”.
Season 5 of “Organized Crime” will venture into new criminal territory. The storyline involves cross-border smuggling rings, domestic high-tech terrorism, and a revenge-seeking crime family that has ties to Det. Elliot Stabler’s past. While the Organized Crime Control Bureau fights these threats, Stabler must walk treacherous terrain to protect the vulnerable and carry on his quest for justice.
Universal Television and Wolf Entertainment produced the latest season, which stars Meloni and Danielle Moné Truitt, Rick Gonzalez, Olivia Thirlby, Ainsley Seiger and Dean Norris. Executive producers are Dick Wolf, Matt Olmstead, John Shiban, Mike Slovis, Peter Jankowski and Tim Walsh.
With its Peacock-only release and NBC farewell run, “Organized Crime” Season 5 follows NBCUniversal’s overall strategy to direct viewers to its streaming platform while keeping the franchise’s network roots.
