Washington DC, July 20 -- Actor Mehcad Brooks is departing NBC's 'Law & Order' after three seasons as Detective Jalen Shaw ahead of the venerable crime drama's upcoming 25th season, reported Deadline

According to sources of Deadline, the parting of the ways was mutual, with Brooks already exploring other opportunities.

The rest of the 'Law & Order' main cast, including Tony Goldwyn and Reid Scott, whose contracts were up at the end of last season, Hugh Dancy, Odelya Halevi and Maura Tierney, are set to come back, sources said.

As Deadline reported in May, most actors on NBC's 'Law & Order' and Chicago franchises will be in fewer episodes next season as part of a cost-saving measure.

Brooks stepped in as a detective on 'Law & Order' in...