Anthony Anderson turns in his badge after deciding not to return for another season of Law & Order
Anthony Anderson has put away his badge.
The 51-year-old will not return for season 22 of Law & Order.
The seasoned actor starred in the series as Detective Kevin Bernard from 2008 through 2010, when the long running legal drama was cancelled.
Not returning: Anthony Anderson has decided not to return to Law & Order after starring in the reboot of the successful procedural for the 2021-2022 season. Pictured New York, February 2022
Turning in his badge: The seasoned actor played Det Kevin Bernard from 2008-2010 and reprised the role for the season 22 relaunch
He reprised his role as the dedicated investigator when the show was rebooted for the 2021-2022 season, but only signed a one year contract.
No reason has been given for The Departed actor not returning to the show.
Co-stars Hugh Dancy, Jeffrey Donovan, Camryn Manheim and Odelya Halevi will be returning for season 23.
Saying goodbye: The 51-year-old also said goodbye to his character Dre Johnson, whom he had played on the hit sitcom Black-ish for eight years
Sam Waterston, who has played prosecutor Jack McCoy since 1994 also signed a one-year contract for the reboot. It’s not known if he will return to the show, the 81-year-old actor did appear at publicity upfronts in New York.
Anthony recently said goodbye to his role in the award winning sitcom Black-ish, where he enjoyed eight seasons as harried father and advertising executive Dre Johnson.
In March, the Transformers star’s wife, Alvina, filed for divorce after 22 years of marriage.
Degree: After 30 years away from the classroom, The Departed actor returned to Howard University where he finally earned his Bachelor of Arts degree
Inspiration: The proud dad said he was inspired to finish his degree when his son, Nathan, 22, enrolled at his alma mater
The couple had previously separated in 2014, when Alvina, 51, filed legal documents requesting the dissolution of the marriage, citing irreconcilable differences. They got back together in 2017 and the petition was withdrawn. They are parents to two grown children, Kyra, 26, and Nathan, 22.
Earlier this month, the actor finally received his Bachelor of Arts degree from Howard University.
The actor left school after finishing his junior year 30 years ago, because he ran out of money. The proud dad said he was inspired to finish his courses after his son enrolled at Howard four years ago.
Separation: The Transformers actor has separated from his wife of 22 years. Alvina Anderson, 51 filed for divorce in March. Pictured New York, April 2022