Anthony Anderson will not be returning for Season 22 of “Law & Order,” Variety has confirmed. Anderson signed a one-year deal when NBC relaunched the series for its 21st season this year, and has decided not to continue as Detective Kevin Bernard in the procedural drama’s next season.

Anthony Anderson, who reprised his character from the series’ original run in the new Season 21, will not be returning for Season 22. As Deadline reported in November, Anderson had signed a one-year deal and has chosen not to continue on the upcoming season, which has been picked up by NBC.

Anthony Anderson on NBC's 'Law & Order' Zach Dilgard/NBC Anthony Anderson is not returning to Law & Order for season 22, The Hollywood Reporter has learned. The actor, who reprised his role as Detective Kevin Bernard on season 21, had a one-year deal and will not come back for the next season, according to a source with knowledge of the situation.

The show was revived for season 21 earlier this year, at which time it was widely reported that Anderson had only signed a one-season contract. "I wanted to go off and create more shows like Black-ish, create things that I have ownership in, and do something a little bit different," Anderson told ET of why he left Law & Order.