Where was Law & Order: Organized Crime Season 5 shot? Revisiting key filming locations of the NBC procedural's latest chapter

The series Law & Order: Organized Crime Season 5 brought back the central character, Detective Elliot Stabler, who rejoined the NYPD after a long break. The reason behind Stabler's return isn't just duty but also a personal, tragic loss in his life.

He joins the Organized Crime Control Bureau (OCCB), which is responsible for solving complex cases and fighting crime in New York City. This year, the NBC show returned with Season 5, in which Stabler goes undercover as a truck driver to tackle an international smuggling ring.

This way, viewers get to see him taking on a new persona to expose the criminals and seek justice. Apart from the plot, Law & Order: Organized Crime has also intrigued fans with the filming locations. Unlike many crime shows, this NBC drama was shot in the same city where the story is set.

The filming locations of Law & Order: Organized Crime Season 5 explored

While Stabler is the main figure in Law & Order: Organized Crime Season 5, the show has also made New York City a character in the story. As mentioned above, the makers and production team didn't rely on artificial backdrops for filming.

Instead, they filmed Season 5 across all five boroughs, using real buildings, streets, and neighborhoods. And this isn't something new for the franchise. Since the very beginning, Law & Order has been known for presenting the city's authentic look, and Season 5 carried the tradition beautifully.

So, here are the locations that were used in the latest chapter of the NBC crime drama:

1) Filming across the Boroughs

The detectives solved a new case (Image via NBC)

Law & Order: Organized Crime Season 5 was shot entirely in New York City, with primary locations in Queens, Manhattan, and Brooklyn. This reality helps invoke a sense of grittiness, giving the viewer an actual feeling of a chase, investigation, or trial through the same city that is seen on screen.

Also Read: Who is Lt. Brady on Law & Order? New character on the NBC police procedural show, explored

2) Queens – Long Island City as a law enforcement backdrop

Queens has often used Long Island City for its production locations, particularly in and around 2 Court Square, home to the CUNY School of Law. The modern feel of the location has led to its use for scenes meant to portray police or government buildings, even in Law & Order: Organized Crime Season 5.

3) Manhattan – Chelsea Piers for indoor sequences

Not every scene can be shot outside. So, in situations where controlled conditions were needed, the crew shifted into Silver Screen Studios at Chelsea Piers in Manhattan.

This space was created to replicate interiors of police precincts, interrogation rooms, and office spaces. The team enjoyed the benefit of managing light and sound according to the requirements of the scene and dialogue.

4) Manhattan – Courthouse drama in Foley Square

Another familiar Manhattan location is Foley Square and the New York County Supreme Court at Centre Street. These spots provide a grand, dramatic setting for legal showdowns. Since courtroom battles are a staple of the broader Law & Order universe, using these real-life government buildings keeps the series visually tied to its roots.

5) Manhattan – Cortlandt Alley for the darker side of crime

For scenes designed to feature a shadowy, suspenseful feel, the production team of Law & Order: Organized Crime Season 5 frequently filmed in Cortlandt Alley in Lower Manhattan. This narrow alleyway has historic brick walls and an aura of Old New York and has served as a backdrop for ambushes, stakeouts, and tense meetings between criminals.

Other New York Spots used in Law & Order: Organized Crime Season 5

In addition to the above-mentioned locations, the production team also includes less familiar places throughout the city. Whether it’s a law school building posing as a federal building or a back alley that serves as a crime scene, the crew always tries to allow the viewer to believe the locations are real.