NBC Renewal Update: What’s Happening with ‘Chicago,’ ‘Law & Order,’ ‘The Hunting Party,’ ‘Brilliant Minds,’ and ‘Stumble’
NBC is emerging from a challenging year marked by significant programming changes, including the cancellation of six scripted series—four dramas: Found, The Irrational, Grosse Pointe Garden Society, and Suits L.A.; and two comedies: Night Court and Lopez vs. Lopez—just before the arrival of NBA programming last fall. For the upcoming 2025-26 season, the network has unveiled two new comedy series, Stumble and The Fall and Rise of Reggie Dinkins, both with shorter episode orders, while no new dramas have been added.
A year later, NBC has shifted its focus and is no longer in a contraction phase for scripted shows, having recently ordered eight pilots, consisting of five dramas and three comedies.
Reflecting on past practices, NBC has renewed comedies Happy’s Place and St. Denis Medical for third seasons, echoing similar early renewals from the previous year.
In a continuation of previous trends, Dick Wolf’s five NBC series—Chicago Fire, Chicago P.D., Chicago Med, Law & Order: SVU, and Law & Order—are all poised for renewal. Both One Chicago and SVU have demonstrated consistent performance, excelling in linear ratings on NBC and streaming on Peacock. Notably, Law & Order, which faced scrutiny in earlier seasons for lagging ratings and cast turnover, has marked a turnaround, showing improved performance on Peacock and a promising start to the upcoming season.
As with past cycles, any renewals are expected to come with budget reductions. In response to cost pressures, Wolf Entertainment has reduced minimum guarantees, leading to long-standing cast members appearing less frequently in episodes. This strategy has become common among veteran series, as they seek to navigate budget targets to secure annual renewals.
Beyond Wolf’s productions, NBC currently features two sophomore dramas: The Hunting Party and Brilliant Minds. While The Hunting Party is viewed as the stronger of the two, Brilliant Minds, NBC’s lowest-rated drama series, faces a precarious future as it has seen significant year-over-year declines. Recently, the show was removed from the Monday lineup to accommodate two-hour episodes of The Voice, indicating potential cancellation.
The Hunting Party, while marginally better rated, remains on the bubble, despite achieving stability on NBC and making an impact on Peacock. Interestingly, it has found unexpected success on Netflix, regularly appearing in the platform’s Daily Top 3 since its debut.
In terms of other ongoing series, Law & Order: Organized Crime, which has shifted primarily to Peacock, is in a transitional phase. With five showrunners over its five seasons, the series could face challenges in continuation unless a new showrunner is secured.
On the comedy front, Stumble, NBC’s lowest-rated scripted series, faces an uncertain future, partly attributed to its scheduling slot. However, the show has garnered positive reviews, scoring 82% and 94% among critics and viewers, respectively, on Rotten Tomatoes. NBC has taken steps to improve its exposure, including reruns in favorable time slots and special airings during prominent broadcasts.
The decision regarding Stumble’s renewal may hinge on the performance of NBC’s upcoming comedy pilots. The network’s commitment to five new drama pilots raises questions about its current drama lineup. As more pilots show promise, NBC could explore solutions to accommodate potential hits, such as shorter seasons or summer runs, and there remains the possibility of shifting well-received shows to Peacock.
Overall, NBC is navigating a complex landscape of scripted programming as it seeks to maintain and expand its viewership while managing budget constraints.
