EXCLUSIVE: Law & Order is moving into the podcast business.
Universal Television and Wolf Entertainment, which produce the long-running crime franchise, have struck a deal with iHeartPodcasts to launch Law & Order: Criminal Justice System.
The move marks the brand’s first foray into investigative journalism and its first original podcast series – a Law & Order: SVU recap podcast, The Squadroom, launched in 2019 and aired around 25 episodes.
The deal encompasses four 12-episode seasons. The first season will launch on August 22.
Hosted by former Brooklyn homicide prosecutor Anna-Sigga Nicolazzi, the series will kick off with an exploration of the American Mafia in New York City, chronicling the real downfall of the most notorious criminal organization in history. Set against the backdrop of 1979, the series reveals how an unlikely team of young local police and prosecutors beat the odds in dismantling the Mafia’s grip on the city.
It will begin with the assassination of Carmine Galante, a powerful boss in the Bonanno crime family. The murder would become a cornerstone in the Mafia Commission Trial – the case that forever hamstrung organized crime in the United States and ended the Mafia’s golden era. It will include first-hand accounts of the investigations, surveillance, legal battles, and personal sacrifices made by those on the front lines.
Law & Order: Criminal Justice System is exec produced by Elliot Wolf, who also serves as EVP of Digital for Wolf Entertainment and distributed by iHeartPodcasts.
Law & Order: Special Victims Unit is heading into Season 26 and Law & Order is entering Season 24.
“We’re thrilled to join forces with iHeartPodcasts and UTV to bring the real stories that have shaped our criminal justice system, the bedrock of the Law & Order brand, to life,” said Wolf. “The goal coming in was always to push the boundaries of audio storytelling, this series delivers on that while still being deeply informative and entertaining.”
“Listeners’ interest in true crime continues to flourish with new stories constantly being sought out across platforms. Law & Order is a legendary series, and it’s an honor to team up with UTV, Wolf Entertainment and Elliot to develop this original slate of podcasts,” added Will Pearson, President of iHeartPodcasts. “Through this collaboration, listeners will instantly recognize that Law & Order brand affiliation and know they will become entrenched in the dramatic and thrilling storytelling they’ve grown to love and expect from the Law & Order franchise – now through Elliot Wolf’s unique vision and fresh perspective.”