The creator of Law & Order, Dick Wolf, has confirmed that the original series is well and truly dead, ending hopes that it might be given a reprieve by NBC or another network.

NBC announced in May that Law & Order would come to a close at the end of its twentieth season; the final episode aired on NBC on 24 May. Wolf had reportedly attempted to negotiate another season with the network prior to the announcement, and stated afterward that he had been seeking out "other offers" in an effort to keep the series alive.

But at an event held by the Television Critics Association (TCA), Wolf said that it was time to move on.

"I will confirm that it has moved to the history books," he said.

"We're extremely disappointed, but that's business, that's life. Everything on TV is born under a death sentence. They just don't tell you the date of execution."

Wolf's focus is now on the upcoming addition to the Law & Order franchise, Law & Order: Los Angeles. The series is due to premiere in September this year on NBC, although the network is still announcing new cast members.

The latest names to be added are Terrence Howard, who will appear as a deputy district attorney, and Corey Stoll, who will play a detective. Other major cast members previously announced are Skeet Ulrich (Detective Rex Winters) and Alfred Molina (Deputy District Attorney Peter Morales).

Media Spy discussion: Law & Order