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Law & Order: SVU has seen multiple cast exits and entries in its multiple-season run, but Dann Florek's Captain Donald Cragen has been important in the franchise.
Florek started as Cragen on Law & Order Season 1 as the commanding officer, after which he moved to the Anti-Corruption Task Force in Season 5. He reprised his character in the show's spin-off series Law & Order: SVU. Florek is one of the main characters in the spin-off, who started in Season 1.
Captain Cragen finally left Law & Order: SVU in Season 15 because he wanted to retire and had travel plans, which he shared with the squad after announcing his retirement.
Keep reading to know more about Cragen's exit from the spin-off.
Exploring Captain Cragen's character and exit in Law & Order: SVU
Florek began as Captain Donald Cragen 27th Precinct's Homicide Unit's Commanding Officer in Law & Order Season 1. He appeared in the original show for three seasons before transferring to the Manhattan Special Victims Unit in Law & Order: SVU Season 1.
He was a Green Beret in the Vietnam War and had a history of alcohol addiction, which was referred to in the original show's pilot. When he moved to SVU, he often referred to how he had been sober for many years but often had the urge to drink.
He proved a strong team captain and leader and a caring mentor for Olivia Benson and Elliot Stabler. Because of his alcohol addiction, he was empathic with the other officers in his team suffering from addiction. For Instance, he suggested Amanda Rollins get help from rehab for her gambling addiction.
Cragen was married to Marge, a flight attendant in Law & Order. But when he joined Law & Order: SVU, he revealed in Episode 2 that Marge had died in a plane crash on a flight to Amanda Rollins.
After spending fifteen seasons as the squad's Captain, he finally announced his retirement in Season 15 Episode 11. He discussed his travel plans with the squad:
"I'm leaving...this is my call.''
When asked where he would go, he added:
"Around the world, actually. Eileen has two tickets for a six month cruise, and I have enough accrued leave to take me through my mandatory retirement date. If I stay, I might make less than if I leave,"
Who took Captain Cragen's position in Law & Order: SVU after his retirement?
After sharing his retirement plans with the squad, he also announced that Mariska Hargitay's Detective Benson will take his place on Law & Order: SVU:
"Well for the meantime, detective Benson will. She's ready. Now it's not easy going from player to coach, so don't bust her chops."
After his departure, Cragen never physically returned to SVU, however, he did appear in a Zoom meeting with Benson for the show's 500th episode. Benson video calls her former captain for advice on a former case.
In an interview with People magazine, Florek discussed his cameo for the show's 500th episode and passing on his legacy to Hargitay:
“It's a beautiful passing of the baton.”
He added:
“I got to do one little scene, I think I shot it on Zoom, and I was able to say to her — I'm gonna cry — 'You have no idea how proud it makes me to say "Captain."'"
He further reprised his role as Captain Cragen in Law & Order: Organized Crime in 2024 for a four-episode arc.
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