‘Law & Order’ Makes History

Dick Wolf can now die in peace.

NBC is expected to announce Tuesday that it is renewing ‘Law & Order‘ for a record-setting 20th season, according to Variety.

‘Law & Order’ ties ‘Gunsmoke’ as the longest-running primetime drama of all time.

The series pick-up is for 16 episodes, slated to air midseason.

Despite lackluster ratings these days, there was no way NBC could deny executive producer Dick Wolf his piece of television history.

The classic western ‘Gunsmoke’ aired on CBS from 1955 through 1975. The ‘L&O’ franchise premiered in 1990 and spawned two sequel shows (but, quite frankly, has never been the same without Lennie Briscoe, Jesse L. Martin and Mr. Big).

Take a look at the various incarnations of the cast over the last 20 years in our ‘Law & Order’ photo gallery.

Sister show ‘Law & Order: SVU‘ is still in a state of limbo, however.

The network announced ‘SVU’ would return this fall for an 11th season–but its stars may not. There’s cop drama with lead actors Mariska Hargitay and Christopher Meloni, who are in the midst of salary negotiations and have yet to renew their contracts.

Stay tuned.

More on These Topics: Dick Wolf | Law Order SVU | Law & Order