The ‘Law & Order’ stars have a total of nine children amongst them

NEED TO KNOW

• Law & Order season 25 premiered on Sept. 25

• Several cast members, like Tony Goldwyn and Hugh Dancy, are parents in real life

• Goldwyn’s younger daughter acted alongside him during the season 23 finale

As working parents, a few Law & Order cast members juggle the courtroom and the playroom.

On Sept. 25, the flagship series in the Law & Order franchise returned for its historic season 25, with the 27th precinct team continuing to pursue justice through the New York City legal system.

The ensemble for the latest installment includes Maura Tierney, Tony Goldwyn, Hugh Dancy, Odelya Halevi, Reid Scott, Connie Shi and new series regular David Ajala.

After the series’ actors film their dramatic scenes in a fictional courtroom, several head home to their loved ones.

For Goldwyn, his professional and personal lives merged in the season 23 finale, when his younger daughter, Tess, played his character’s family.

To mark the show’s new episodes, here’s everything to know about the kids of the Law & Order cast.

01 of 04

Tony Goldwyn’s 2 daughters

Goldwyn joined the cast of Law & Order in 2024, portraying District Attorney Nicholas Baxter.

Before Law & Order, Goldwyn was known for his roles in Scandal and Ghost, but besides being a beloved actor, he is also a dad.

In real life, Goldwyn shares two daughters, Anna and Tess, with his wife, Jane Musky. The couple welcomed Anna on May 8, 1990, followed by Tess on March 6, 1995.

Anna attended UCLA and works in the entertainment industry. Her career path was inspired by a visit to the set of Law & Order, as Goldwyn revealed to PEOPLE.

“She stood right by me. I was shocked, because some kids get bored on set,” he recalled. “That night I took her to dinner after we wrapped and she said, ‘Dad, this is what I want to do with the rest of my life.’ “

Goldwyn added, “She did, though she decided it was writing, not so much directing yet.”

Aside from working in entertainment, Anna is also the co-host of the podcasts Political Playlist and Far From the Tree, the latter of which she shares hosting duties with her dad. In August 2024, Anna married Billy Durden, a film editor.

Goldwyn’s younger daughter, Tess, is an actress who has appeared on shows such as New Amsterdam, Murphy Brown and Law & Order, where she played the on-screen daughter of her dad’s character.

Tess also had a role in Goldwyn’s directorial debut, the 2024 feature film, Ezra.

02 of 04

Hugh Dancy’s 3 kids

Dancy has played Executive ADA Nolan Price since 2022, making his entrance in the season 21 premiere.

The Emmy-nominated actor shares three kids — two sons and a daughter — with his wife, actress Claire Danes.

The couple’s elder son, Cyrus, was born on Dec. 17, 2012, followed by their second son, Rowan, who was born on Aug. 27, 2018. They later welcomed a baby girl, whose name has not been publicly shared, on July 11, 2023.

Dancy and Danes keep their family out of the spotlight, but at the 2017 Met Gala, they commented on how becoming parents changed their lives.

At the event, the couple told Humans of New York, “Having a child was the best thing that ever happened to us. But it is constant company with terrible conversation.”

03 of 04

Reid Scott’s 2 sons

Scott has portrayed Detective Vincent Riley since season 23 in 2024.

The former Veep actor is a dad to two sons, whom he shares with his wife, Elspeth Keller. They welcomed their first child, Conrad, in April 2015, followed by Damon in Jan. 2018, per E! News.

Scott previously spoke about being a first-time dad, telling PEOPLE, “It’s great, it’s amazing.”

“All of it’s unexpected. We expected him, obviously. But every little surprise blows your mind,” he continued. “I think he’s funny. I hope he’s funny. If he’s like me, he’s going to be a wise ass until his parents have had enough of it.”

04 of 04

David Ajala’s 2 sons

David Ajala joined the cast of Law & Order for season 25, playing Riley’s new detective partner.

Ajala is married to Terri Martin, a presenter and blogger, according to The Rake magazine. The couple have two sons, Elijah and Toby.

In a Nov. 2018 interview with At the Movies, Ajala recalled becoming a dad for the first time, saying, “It was so surreal and so special.”

“I felt so proud and blessed to be given a great bundle of joy,” he continued. “It was immensely proud of my wife for being so awesome, so strong, and so courageous.”