Fans of New York’s toughest fictional detectives won’t have much time to ease into the new year. It’s a Collision Course for NBC’s finest as a major Law & Order event kicks off the winter season.

High stakes put both teams on Collision Course in the courtroom

The night begins at 8 7c with the first hour, titled Snowflakes, launching the crossover event that brings both squads together. A seemingly straightforward investigation quickly escalates when an injured woman disappears from a hospital. Lt. Jessica Brady unexpectedly becomes a key witness, pulling the Law & Order team into a shared case with the Special Victims Unit as the storyline collides across both series. As first reported by TVLine, the crossover takes a dangerous turn, with an explosive discovery placing both squads in immediate jeopardy.

Why Brady and Benson reunite during the Collision Course crossover

The crossover continues with the second hour, Purity, as the investigation moves deeper into complex legal territory and the shared storyline intensifies. Prosecutors Sonny Carisi and Nolan Price find themselves on a collision path, forced to work together after Brady’s aggressive interrogation tactics threaten to undermine the case during the crossover event. Meanwhile, the coordinated operation escalates when a raid on a suspect’s home puts Bruno and his unit in harm’s way, as the search for a murder suspect exposes disturbing ethical questions that ripple across both series.

Why Brady and Benson reunite during the crossover

Ahead of the crossover event, Law & Order showrunner Rick Eid spoke with TVLine about bringing Brady together with SVU’s Capt. Olivia Benson as the shared storyline unfolds. According to Rick Eid, the decision was driven by the dynamic between the characters and the on screen chemistry between Maura Tierney and Mariska Hargitay. The crossover collaboration was designed to show how two powerful leaders approach the same crisis from different perspectives, creating tension that carries through both the investigative side and the courtroom drama.

More action than a typical crossover episode in Collision Course

Rick Eid also revealed that this two hour event leans heavily into action. The expanded format allowed the creative team to elevate the scale, packing in more large set pieces and heightened suspense than viewers usually see in a standard episode of Law & Order or Law & Order: SVU. The goal was to make the crossover feel like a true event rather than a routine installment.

What lies ahead for Detective Theo Walker

Beyond the crossover event, Rick Eid teased deeper storytelling ahead for Detective Theo Walker as the shared universe continues to expand. Upcoming episodes will explore the character’s undercover past and the challenges of adjusting to life in a New York precinct following the crossover storyline. A Walker centric episode will delve into his backstory, giving viewers a deeper understanding of his guarded nature while strengthening his partnership with Riley as trust begins to form.

Where to find the full story

For a complete breakdown of the crossover, extended interview excerpts, and additional behind the scenes details, read the full report at TVLine.