Law & Order is an American police procedural and legal drama television series, created by Dick Wolf and part of the Law & Order franchise. It originally aired on NBC and, in syndication, on various cable networks. Law & Order premiered on September 13, 1990, and completed its 20th and final season on May 24, 2010. At the time of its cancellation, Law & Order was the longest - running crime drama on American primetime television. Its record of 20 seasons is a tie with Gunsmoke (1955 -- 75) for the longest - running live - action scripted American prime - time series with ongoing characters. Although it has fewer episodes than Gunsmoke, Law & Order ranks as the longest - running hour - long primetime TV series. Gunsmoke, for its first six seasons, was originally a half - hour program.
when did the show law and order start
September 13, 1990