The next installment of the Law & Order franchise will focus on hate crimes. NBC announced a 13-episode order for "Law & Order: Hate Crimes," from executive producer Dick Wolf. The latest incarnation of the crime series will be introduced in the upcoming season of "Law & Order: SVU," according to NBC's co-president of scripted programming, Lisa Katz. Katz called the series "extremely timely." She added: "considering that last year there was a double-digit rise in hate crimes in our 10 largest cities -- the highest total in over a decade -- it seemed like this topic is begging to be explored." "Law & Order: Hate Crimes" will be set in New York City, which is home to the second oldest bias-based task force in the US, NBC said. Co-creator Warren Leight added that the series will spotlight the men and women "on the front lines in a battle for the soul of our city and nation." Series stars have not yet been announced.
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