Why Did Camryn Manheim Leave ? The Real Reason Behind Her Departure
Fans of were left in shock when it was announced that Camryn Manheim, who played Lieutenant Kate Dixon, would be leaving the show after Season 23.
Manheim’s portrayal of Dixon, the commanding officer of the NYPD’s 27th precinct, had become a staple for the revived series, and her sudden exit raised many questions. While official statements left much to the imagination, behind-the-scenes details have since surfaced, giving fans more insight into why she decided to step away from the show.
Camryn Manheim’s association with dates back over 30 years. Long before she became Lieutenant Dixon, she appeared in several guest roles on the show in the early 1990s.
When the series was rebooted in 2021, she was tapped to join the main cast, bringing her full circle. However, despite her long history with the franchise, it seems her role as Dixon was not as fulfilling as fans might have thought.
One of the main reasons for Manheim’s exit, as reported by industry insiders, was related to pay disputes.
While is known for its rotating cast, sources revealed that Manheim felt undervalued compared to other actors on the show. Her salary was reportedly lower than some of her co-stars, and this created dissatisfaction, especially considering her lengthy tenure in Hollywood and the prominence of her role.
Beyond the pay issue, another factor contributing to Manheim’s departure was her character’s lack of screen time and meaningful storylines. Dixon, while a crucial figure in the precinct, often found herself sidelined compared to her predecessor, the iconic Lieutenant Anita Van Buren.
Fans of the show frequently pointed out that Dixon was not given as many memorable or action-driven moments, a stark contrast to Van Buren’s heavily involved character arcs during the original run.
According to reports, Manheim felt that her character’s role had hit a dead-end, with little opportunity for growth or significant plot involvement. In particular, viewers noticed that much of Dixon’s time on screen was spent in the precinct, unlike Van Buren, who was often in the thick of investigations.
This lack of dynamic storytelling, coupled with the pay issues, made Manheim’s decision to leave a relatively easy one.
Manheim’s departure from paved the way for a new face in the precinct: Maura Tierney, who stepped in as Lieutenant Jessica Brady. Although Tierney’s entrance might have been contentious under different circumstances, reports indicate that Manheim held no hard feelings towards her replacement.
In fact, sources claim that the two actresses had a conversation before Tierney accepted the role, and Manheim expressed her support for Tierney’s new position.
While official statements from both Manheim and the show’s creator, Dick Wolf, were cordial, some fans believe that the decision for her exit was mutual. Speculation suggests that NBC and the show’s producers might have been ready to move in a different direction, and Manheim herself hinted at new opportunities on the horizon.
In a farewell post on Instagram, Manheim shared heartfelt gratitude for her time on the show and expressed excitement for future projects, stating, “Something wonderful awaits me around the corner, and I can’t wait to see what it is.”
Not all fans were thrilled with the way Lieutenant Dixon was handled during her time on . Many longtime viewers felt that the character was never fully developed or given the depth that previous commanding officers had.
In online discussions, fans pointed out that despite a few standout moments, like when Dixon’s deaf son was introduced, the character never reached the level of involvement or complexity that Van Buren did. As one Reddit user noted, “Anita was amazing!”—a sentiment echoed by many who felt Dixon wasn’t given enough to do.
Though her time on has come to an end, it seems that Camryn Manheim is ready for new adventures.
She left fans with a tantalizing hint about future projects, and knowing her talent and versatility, it’s only a matter of time before we see her in another exciting role.
What do you think of Manheim’s departure? Was it the right time for her to leave , or would you have liked to see more of Lieutenant Dixon? Let us know your thoughts in the comments!
