Following months of speculation, it has been finally confirmed that "Law & Order" veteran Jesse Martin is leaving NBC’s show.

According to Hollywood Reporter, Martin’s character, Detective Ed Green, will be written off the series in the upcoming episodes. The actor is expected to shoot one more episode before departing.

The 39-year-old actor, who had only signed on for 13 episodes of the 18th season, will be replaced by another African-American actor, Anthony Anderson, known for playing in Fox’s drama "K-Ville."

Anderson, who guest-starred on "Law & Order: SVU" in 2006, is reportedly in final talks with NBC to join the cast as a new partner for Detective Cyrus Lupo, played by Jeremy Sisto.

Throughout the show, Martin, who recently wrapped up the feature "Peter and Vandy," took a brief break from the series to reprise his Broadway role of philosophy professor Tom Collins in the big-screen adaptation of "Rent."

Next he is set to portray Marvin Gaye in the indie biopic "Sexual Healing," which will also star James Gandolfini, as Gaye’s manager. Production is expected to kick off in late April or early May.