The end of a television era is among us: NBC has cancelled Law & Order after an almost record-setting 21 seasons on the air.   The season finale of Law & Order — which stars Sam Waterson, S. Epatha Merkerson, and Anthony Anderson — is scheduled to air Monday, May 24. The network also announced the renewal of Law & Order: SVU and the pickup of new spin-off Law & Order: Los Angeles.

“The full measure of the collective contributions made by Dick Wolf and his Law & Order franchise over the last two decades to the success of NBC and Universal Media Studios cannot be overstated,” said NBC Chairman Jeff Gaspin. “The legacy of his original Law & Order series will continue to make an impact like no other series before.”

Peacock president Angela Bromstad added: “Law & Order has been one of the most successful franchises in the history of television, which is why it is so critical that we continue this important brand and our relationship with Dick Wolf and his team with LOLA and Law & Order: SVU.”

The end of the series means that Wolf will have to settle for simply tying Gunsmoke‘s record as TV’s longest-running drama series. Wolf’s only comment on the matter was the following cryptic statement: “Never complain. Never explain.”