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The future of an "addictive" long-running police series appears to have been secured.

Law and Order - which launched in 1990 and has sparked several spin-offs - is set to be renewed for a 26th run, according to Deadline. While the finer details are apparently still being finalised, an official announcement regarding the future of the acclaimed police procedural is expected soon.

The news is sure to delight devoted fans of the series, which has amassed an enormous following amongst viewers. Set and filmed in New York, the show follows detectives from the New York City Police Department's fictional 27th precinct as they tackle criminal investigations.

Over the years, its cast has featured a number of major stars, including Sam Waterston, Jerry Orbach and Mariska Hargitay, while notable guest appearances have come from the likes of Viola Davis, Bradley Cooper and Ellen Pompeo. The current line-up features Maura Tierney, best known for her role as Abby Lockhart in the medical drama ER, alongside Tony Goldwyn from Scandal.

Law and Order originally ran from 1990 to 2010, before it was announced in 2021 that the show would be revived after an 11-year hiatus, reports the Mirror.

The programme has also spawned a number of successful spin-offs, amongst them Law and Order: Special Victims Unit, Law and Order: Criminal Intent and Law and Order: Trial by Jury.

Viewers have taken the shows in the franchise to their hearts, with one reviewer writing on Rotten Tomatoes: "The best ever, realistic, true to life portraits seen in any movie or TV series."

"Excellent," added another, describing the programme as "completely addictive". "It's like watching two shows, a police investigation series for the first half hour, and a legal series for the next half an hour," another fan remarked.

"Great performances, lots of mystery and drama, very realistic." Someone else praised the show's "pitch perfect pacing".

Another said: "Law and Order is one of my go-to shows to watch while sitting on the couch and vegging out. I've seen every episode multiple times, but I find the show comforting.

"That's what Law and Order is - comfort food."

NBC has been contacted for comment.

Law & Order airs on NBC in the US.