You’ve seen the headlines, or maybe you just caught that tense Season 24 finale and thought, "Wait, is she actually done?" The rumor mill has been spinning for months about whether is Odelya Halevi leaving Law and Order, and honestly, the show’s writers didn't make it easy on our nerves. One minute she’s the rock of the DA’s office, and the next, she’s slamming a door in Nolan Price’s face after a moral crisis that would make anyone want to quit their job.
But here is the straight talk: Odelya Halevi is not leaving Law and Order. Despite that massive cliffhanger where ADA Samantha Maroun’s sister's killer ended up dead—and Sam was looking more than a little guilty—Halevi officially returned for Season 25. She even spent the start of 2026 celebrating the show’s massive 25th anniversary on the red carpet in New York City. If she were headed for the exit, she probably wouldn't be posing for photos with Mariska Hargitay and the rest of the Dick Wolf universe elite.
Why Everyone Thought Samantha Maroun Was Done
The panic started with the Season 24 finale, "Look the Other Way." It was a heavy one. We finally got closure on the murder of Maroun’s sister, but it was messy. When the primary suspect was acquitted and then mysteriously murdered that same night, the show leaned hard into the idea that Sam might have taken "street justice" into her own hands.
Nolan Price (Hugh Dancy) literally asked her if she killed the guy. Her response? Silence and a slammed door.
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That is usually TV shorthand for "this character is written out" or "this character is going to prison." Naturally, fans went wild. For a few months, it felt like a total coin toss. Law and Order has a reputation for rotating cast members like a revolving door—just look at what happened with Mehcad Brooks (Jalen Shaw), who actually did leave the show recently to focus on projects like Mortal Kombat II.
But Sam Maroun is a different story. The premiere of Season 25, "Street Justice," cleared the air pretty quickly. It turns out Maroun didn't pull the trigger; it was the suspect's ex-girlfriend. While Maroun kept a secret confession to herself to ensure the "right" person stayed down, she remained on the right side of the law... barely.
The 2026 Status Update
As of January 2026, Halevi is still a series regular. You might have noticed she missed a couple of episodes in late 2025—specifically "Bend the Knee" and "Brotherly Love." That usually triggers a fresh wave of "is she leaving?" Google searches.
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Don't sweat it.
It’s actually pretty common for the revival seasons to give lead actors an episode or two off to manage the grueling production schedule. It doesn't mean she's quitting. In fact, she’s been front and center for the 25th-anniversary celebrations at Cipriani 42nd Street this month.
What’s Next for Odelya Halevi?
Honestly, the drama between Maroun and Price is probably the most interesting thing happening in the DA's office right now. There is this lingering tension because Price knows she isn't exactly the "by-the-book" prosecutor he thought she was. That kind of friction is gold for a long-running procedural.
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If you're worried about her being replaced, keep an eye on these signs:
- New casting announcements: Usually, if a lead is leaving, NBC announces a "new ADA" months in advance. Right now, the only major addition has been David Ajala as Detective Theo Walker.
- Social media activity: Halevi is still very much "in the family," posting from the set and attending NBC Upfronts.
- Contract years: Most of the revival cast signed multi-year deals. Halevi has been around since Season 21, and she’s become a cornerstone of the new era.
Basically, Sam Maroun isn't going anywhere yet. She’s survived a serial killer, a sister’s cold case, and the wrath of her boss.
If you want to keep up with the latest, your best bet is to watch the Thursday night block on NBC. The show is currently mid-season for its 25th year, and the ratings are holding steady enough that a Season 26 renewal looks like a safe bet. If there ever is a real exit on the horizon, it’ll likely come with a much bigger "farewell" arc than a simple cliffhanger. For now, you can breathe easy and enjoy the legal fireworks.
Stay tuned to the official NBC press site if you're a stickler for the fine print, but otherwise, consider this rumor debunked.