why did sam waterston leave law and order

The female billionaire Yara returned to her country with determination. She planned to expose her "scumbag" ex-husband, Will Chandler, on a live streaming show, believing he had abandoned her during her serious illness and embezzled all her assets. Using a memory extraction device, Yara gradually discovered that the man she had hated for six years was actually the lifesaver she had been searching for. Six years ago, Yara's mother and younger brother had threatened Will by leveraging her illness, forcing him to sell property and jewelry and plunge into huge debts. To save Yara, Will had severely damaged his health. In order to spare Yara from seeing his miserable condition, Will had completely disappeared from her life, living in pain alone. Upon learning the truth, Yara sent her mother and brother to prison and remarried Will.

At the five-year wedding anniversary celebration of Scott and Joyce, Joyce's half-sister, Tina, suddenly appeared, demanding Joyce return Scott to her. Tina deliberately pushed Joyce, causing her to miscarry. Instead of helping Joyce, Scott chose to leave with Tina, plunging Joyce into despair. She decided to divorce Scott and attempted to take her own life by jumping into the sea. After Joyce vanished, Scott initially believed it was all an act, but he gradually discovered the misunderstandings and Tina's schemes, realizing that the woman who loved him the most was gone forever.

Twelve years ago, for an important task, the leader of the Ford Army, Chereen Ford, had to leave her daughter and son, and asked Sherry Jerome to take care of them. After completing her mission, Chereen came back and found her daughter, Paula. But Paula was already married, and her husband always beat her up. Chereen wanted to take Paula away, but Paula refused because she thought Chereen killed her dad. On the other hand, Chereen heard that her son, Wayne, had gone missing. Could Chereen find Wayne and clear the misunderstanding between her and Paula?

The U.S. nuclear medical professor Charlie Clare quits his career for family, but is abandoned as his wife and daughter favor his love rival Isaac. After suffering his family’s ignorance, he decides to leave for the Unicorn Project, which he designed for healing his daughter’s neuro-skel birthmark as his life work. But unaware that Charlie’s burning his life for them, his wife and daughter deepen the rift with Charlie upon reunion and eventually destroy everything Charlie left for them with their own hands before realizing their errors, only to find it too late.

Natalia Smith, a powerful businesswoman, had a very spoiled Molly Smith who kept causing trouble. One day, however, she learned Molly wasn't her real sister! Turned out someone switched Molly and Yolanda, Natalia's real sister, after they were born. In the past 18 years, Molly had lived a luxury life like a princess while Yolanda was abused by her foster parents all the time. Now, the truth revealed and Yolanda was back. Would the evil Molly just give up and leave? How would Natalia react to Yolanda's return?

Six years ago, Luke Kranz gave his life to protect Ava Ewing. Ever since, she has carried the weight of both her family and career alone, tirelessly struggling to save enough for her daughter Ellie’s heart surgery. Just when she thought she had no time for anything else, Evan Foster returns after years abroad, reentering her life with unresolved resentment and buried emotions. Unable to let go of the past, he keeps pushing her, testing her boundaries, and stirring up everything she tried to leave behind.

Six years ago, singer Emma Hadley developed a kidney disease after childbirth, was abandoned by her boyfriend Tyler, and was told that her daughter had died. In reality, Tyler saved her by donating his kidney, but because he borrowed money for the surgery from Michael, a popular singer who had a crush on Emma, he was forced to leave with their daughter. Six years later,Emma became a renowned superstar in the music industry, still haunted by thoughts of her daughter. Her daughter Lily, singing on the street to raise money for her father Tyler's surgery,accidentally encountered Emma...

When Lola was kidnapped as a child and later betrayed by a scoundrel in a relationship, she thought her life had hit rock bottom. Little did she know that one day, affluent uncles showed up, revealing that she was the heiress, Lyla, to a vast fortune. Now, she must return to claim her inheritance!

Susan Lane never expects to witness her husband's betrayal with her own eyes. Heartbroken and determined to leave him, she asks for a divorce—only to face his cruel retaliation. Just when she feels trapped with no way out, her best friend's stepson, Ken Shaw, steps in to protect her. As they begin living under the same roof, emotions begin to grow in a way neither of them has expected. Ken can no longer hide his growing love for her, and despite her initial hesitation, Susan finds herself drawn to him as well. Against all odds, they eventually choose love and embrace a future together.

Seven years ago, Shaina stabbed her own father and was sent to prison. Two years later,Jason stood waiting outside the prison gates with an umbrella, only to be told, "She was released long ago." When they met again seven years later, she froze during an interview session as she recognized him. Someone asked, "Mr. Yale, do you know her?" He replied coldly, "No, I don't." His words shattered whatever hope she had left. Later, she resigned and decided to leave for good, but he angrily cornered her against the wall and asked, "How dare you run away again...?"

Livia and Owen were childhood sweethearts. Right before their wedding, Owen died saving her. Consumed by guilt, Livia prayed to God, promising to perform one hundred tasks for the wealthy heir Cassian in exchange for Owen's life. For five years, Cassian, obsessed with his "love" Charlotte, has watched Livia being humiliated and bleeding for Charlotte. He even asked her to donate her heart. When the truth is revealed – that Livia was the one who saved Cassian – and she prepares to leave, Cassian is shattered by remorse and begins a frantic chase to win her back. But Livia is now focused on helping Owen regain his memories. What choice will she make?

When Tanner Gary was elderly and needed a bone marrow transplant, he discovered his son wasn't his biological child. Later, he found out his assistant, Hans Nolan, was actually his wife Lorry Gary's first and true love. The son was born to Hans and Lorry, and they named him Harry. In order to seize the entire Gary Group, Hans and Lorry killed Tanner, but Tanner was unexpectedly reborn and traveled back to the day before his wedding. After his rebirth, Tanner vowed to stop being a pushover and to cherish the people around him. However, his fiancée Lorry still arrogantly believed that he would remain her loyal lapdog. She first checked into a hotel with Hans, showing no remorse, and even used the upcoming wedding as a threat against Tanner. Then, at the wedding, she confessed her love to Hans, only for Tanner to expose their affair on the spot, causing the wedding to fall apart. Her family, caught in the ensuing scandal, faced a crisis and was on the brink of bankruptcy.

Due to a string of misfortune, Summer was set up by her step sister which resulted in her getting pregnant. This was four years ago and when she returned home, she had twins and recognized the mask wearing Sean as the father of her children. However, little did she know that the man was also her boss.

Due to a string of misfortune, Summer was set up by her step sister which resulted in her getting pregnant. This was four years ago and when she returned home, she had twins and recognized the mask wearing Sean as the father of her children. However, little did she know that the man was also her boss

Xandra Quinn has only ever had her grades. So when school heartthrob Robert Miller confesses publicly, she shocks everyone by saying yes. She knows it's a trap set by her jealous rival Amelia Moore, but why refuse? Xandra stops studying, openly wasting time with Robert, while Amelia celebrates her "victory." What she doesn't know—Xandra already has a Harbard offer. On exam day, Amelia mocks her, only to find Xandra revealed as the national top scorer—with a perfect score.

Frank loved Ruby for fifteen years, but she deceived him and secretly had two kids with another guy. After being hit by a car, Frank died with regret. In his rebirth, before Ruby returned to the country, he applied to relocate, with a deadline of seven days to leave. When she came back, Frank realized how indifferent she had been toward him, recognizing that he had been blinded by love. Frank chose to leave on the very day of their wedding. When Ruby learned he had actually gone, she felt profound regret and wanted to win him back. But no matter how hard she tried to reconcile, Frank refused to forgive her.

"Today's our wedding anniversary, but my husband spent it celebrating his ex-girlfriend's birthday..." Natalie resolves to end her marriage and return to her true identity. Once the misunderstanding is revealed, her ex-husband regrets what he did and tries to get Natalie back. But another man appears by Natalie's side: her ex-husband's half-brother...

William Coffey and Shelly Richards had been together for years, deeply in love. But just before they could get married, tragedy struck—William's sister Lea died in an incident involving Shelly's younger brother. The Coffey family was devastated and blamed Shelly, their grief turning into resentment. While William was in the hospital, his mother forced Shelly to leave. At the time, Shelly was already pregnant, but with nowhere to turn, she had no choice but to leave the country. Five years later, Shelly returned and ran into William again. The feelings he had buried for so long came rushing back. He still resented her for disappearing without a word, but no matter how hard he tried, he couldn't stop loving her.