Nolan Price's Absence on Law & Order's Episode This Week, Explained

Find out why A.D.A. Nolan Price (Hugh Dancy) was missing on "Law & Order" Season 25, Episode 18 ("Ride or Die").

NBC Insider Law & Order Nolan Price's Absence on Law & Order's Episode This Week, Explained

The 27th Precinct's steadfast A.D.A. is taking a "few weeks" away from the courtroom.

By Jessica White Apr 23, 2026, 9:00 PM ET

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This story contains spoilers from Law & Order Season 25, Episode 18 ("Ride or Die").

Season 25 of Law & Order has been jam-packed with winding investigations and mind-boggling courtroom showdowns, and many may have noticed a certain A.D.A. missing from the courtroom during Law & Order's latest.

How to Watch

Watch Law & Order Thursdays at 8/7c on NBC and next day on Peacock.

Season 25's "Ride or Die" wasted no time jumping into the madness after a homicide investigation led A.D.A. Samantha Maroun (Odelya Halevi) to reunite with a former mentor in the courtroom. While it seemed like a straightforward homicide case, Maroun was kept on her toes thanks to her former mentor's formidable tactics on the stand.

While the courtroom pandemonium fired off on all cylinders, Maroun was tasked with navigating the back-and-forth solo as her longtime partner, A.D.A. Nolan Price (Hugh Dancy), took some time away from the Manhattan District Attorney's office. Fans have been enjoying getting to know more about Price this season, meeting his new girlfriend and learning more about the upbringing that paved Price's way to the Manhattan courts.

But fret not, Law & Order fans, Nolan will be back in action soon enough. Find out why A.D.A. Nolan Price was M.I.A. on Law & Order Season 25, Episode 18 ("Ride or Die"), below.

A.D.A. Nolan Price (Hugh Dancy) walks in a suit in Law & Order Episode 2505.

A.D.A. Nolan Price (Hugh Dancy) appears on Law & Order Season 25 Episode 5 "Two and Twenty".

Photo: Will Hart/NBC via Getty Images

Where was A.D.A. Nolan Baxter on Law & Order this week? (April 23, 2026)

During Law & Order's April 23 episode, Price's longtime assistant Maroun was surprised to learn from D.A. Nicholas Baxter (Tony Goldwyn) that she would be first chair for the trial due to Nolan being out of commission for a "few weeks." Maroun accepted the case with vigor, soon learning that her defense attorney was none other than the tenacious Abigail Donahue, played by Euphoria star Alanna Ubach.

Abigail was Maroun's former mentor at the Bronx D.A. Office, and even helped Maroun land her job at the 27th Precinct. Baxter encouraged Maroun to use that intel to her advantage after Abigail presented an Olympian stretch of a defense, only lighting a fire under Maroun to see justice served.

Nolan Price is OOO for a routine medical procedure

A.D.A. Nolan Price (Hugh Dancy) approaches A.D.A. Samantha Maroun (Odelya Halevi) outside of a courthouse on Law & Order 24022.

A.D.A. Samantha Maroun (Odelya Halevi) and A.D.A. Nolan Price (Hugh Dancy) appear on Law & Order Season 24 Episode 22 "Look The Other Way". Photo: Will Hart/NBC

Price has never been one to sit idle, so it was no surprise when he gave Maroun a call to make sure his ride-or-die was doing well without him. Maroun had it handled, but obliged Price's checklist anyway.

"Yes, Nolan, for the fifth time, I've double checked the affidavits, the addresses, and everything else in the damn file," Maroun said, playfully rolling her eyes. "So you can relax, OK? Just focus on getting better. I mean, who needs an appendix anyway?"

Before hanging up, Maroun told Price, "I'll do my best, I promise."

Law & Order Season 25 Is Here!

The 27th Precinct has been busier than ever on Law & Order Season 25, with new episodes airing on Thursdays at 8/7c on NBC and the next day on Peacock

Season 25 stars Maura Tierney, Tony Goldwyn, Hugh Dancy, Odelya Halevi, Reid Scott, David Ajala, and Connie Shi.

This season, Lt. Jessica Brady and Detective Vincent Riley have more hands on deck with the arrival of Detective Theo Walker. Over in the D.A.’s office, Nicholas Baxter, Nolan Price, and Samantha Maroun continue to tackle each complex case that comes across their desks.

To fully immerse yourself in the iconic Dun Dun franchise, check out exclusive Law & Order merch from the NBC Store.

Law & Order fans don't often get to see Maroun take center stage in the courtroom, but when she does, she always leaves an impression. Despite the formidable defense provided by Maroun's former mentor, who was more than willing to leverage her historic influence against her former protege, Maroun managed to sway the jury to score a conviction. It wasn't without plenty of vitriol from the woman Maroun used to respect the most, but justice prevailed in the end.

Needless to say, Price would have been proud of all the power plays Maroun pulled off during the trial. Price will return to the NYC courtrooms as soon as he's recovered from his procedure, and in the meantime, the steadfast 27th Precinct will continue to do everything in its power to ensure justice is served.

Watch Law & Order on Thursdays at 8/7c on NBC and the next day on Peacock.