Star of “Law and Order” bids farewell after 30 years on the show.

Sam Waterston bid farewell to his character on the series “Law and Order,” Jack McCoy, in an emotional episode.

Waterston, 83 years old, announced at the beginning of the month that he was leaving “Law and Order” after more than 400 episodes since joining the NBC series in 1994. He will be replaced by 63-year-old Tony Goldwyn, who will portray prosecutor Nicholas Baxter.

In his final episode, titled “Last Dance,” Sam Waterston’s character is involved in a high-profile case where billionaire Scott Kelton (Rob Benedict) is accused of killing a woman.

However, Kelton is the best friend of the son of the Mayor of New York, Payne (Bruce Altman), and is helping him in his re-election. Payne does not want McCoy to interfere with their relationship with the case.

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Despite the political maneuvering of the mayor, Jack McCoy takes on the case, and Kelton is convicted of homicide.

According to the New York Post, Sam Waterston stated in a testimony that he was very grateful to the production of the series. “There is sadness in leaving, but I am simply very curious about what comes next. An actor does not want to stay too comfortable,” he continued.

According to the NBC television network, the average audience for the new season of “Law and Order” is more than 6 million viewers.