Law & Order spinoff centered around Det. Elliot Stabler (Christopher Meloni) as he returns to the NYPD to work with an elite task force targeting organized crime. The series has undergone several cast shake-ups throughout its run, and now, another beloved character has departed, marking another big change as the show continues to evolve its story and ing players.

Ainsley Seiger, who portrayed Jet Slootmaekers, will not be returning as a series regular for the remainder of season 5, as confirmed by NBC in a blog post. Slootmaekers exits the crime drama in season 5, episode 3, titled "Paranza Dei Bambini." While the exact reason for her departure from the Organized Crime Control Bureau isn’t specified, it is suggested that the detective accepted a job offer with the FBI while she was on leave from the NYPD after being attacked during an undercover mission in the previous episode.

What This Means For Law & Order: Organized Crime Season 5

Another Big Shift For Stabler’s Team

Seiger's departure continues a trend for the series, as Organized Crime has struggled to maintain a stable ensemble cast outside of Meloni's Stabler. Jet Slootmaekers was not only an audience favorite but also brought dry wit and a tech-savvy voice of reason amid the chaos, serving as a much-needed counterbalance to the show's often heavy subject matter. Her absence in Law & Order: Organized Crime season 5 will be felt, especially by longtime viewers who have followed her journey since the start of the series.

Slootmaekers' exit also removes one of the show's few remaining original characters, which could mark a significant shift in tone and dynamic for Stabler's task force. Her departure leaves a noticeable gap in the core group and could change how tech-driven investigations are handled going forward. As Organized Crime transitions fully to Peacock, losing a favorite character like Jet may push the show to find new ways to keep long-time viewers engaged. The show is also facing behind-the-scenes challenges as showrunner John Shiban exited. Matt Olmstead is overseeing the remaining season 5 as the sixth showrunner to date.

Our Take On Jet’s Exit From Organized Crime

A Bittersweet Goodbye To A Fan-Favorite Character

While it's always tough to lose an original cast member, Jet’s departure feels earned and in character. Rather than being abruptly written out, her departure was slowly hinted at across multiple episodes. Jet's journey from rebellious hacker to trusted task force agent was one of the most compelling arcs in Law & Order: Organized Crime. Slootmaekers' chemistry with the rest of the team, particularly Stabler and Bell, made her feel like an indispensable part of the show. Hopefully, Seiger will return for a cameo in future episodes. Until then, Jet Slootmaekers will certainly be missed.

Source: NBC