Regulation & Order: SVU goes by way of some solid adjustments but once more — however what does that imply for season 27?
The sequence, which premiered in 1999, follows detectives from the NYPD’s Particular Victims Unit as they examine and prosecute sexually-based crimes. The authorized drama stars Mariska Hargitay, Ice T, Peter Scanavino and Kevin Kane and has confronted a number of character exits all through the years.
Earlier than NBC renewed Regulation & Order: SVU for season 27, a number of shops confirmed in Could 2025 that Octavio Pisano and Juliana Martinez, who painting Detective Joe Velasco and Detective Kate Silva, respectively, had been leaving on the finish of the present season after Michele Fazekas was introduced because the sequence’ first feminine showrunner.
The shakeup got here amid different procedurals navigating stunning exits and onscreen deaths. ABC’s 9-1-1 began the development in April 2025 when Peter Krause‘s character Bobby Nash was killed off after eight seasons. Hearth Nation adopted one week later with each Stephanie Arcila and Billy Burke leaving after three seasons on the hit CBS sequence.
So many notable names have made visitor appearances on Regulation & Order: SVU through the years — and a few even performed multiple character. Peter Scanavino appeared as Johnny Dubcek for 2 episodes in season 14 in 2013 earlier than nabbing a sequence common position as Detective Dominick “Sonny” Carisi Jr. in season 16, which […]
NBC additionally shocked viewers with Daniel Kyri and Jake Lockett leaving Chicago Hearth after season 13. In the meantime, on CBS’ Elsbeth, Carra Patterson confirmed she could be stepping down as a sequence common. She is predicted to return in a visitor star capability after taking part in fan-favorite character Kaya for the reason that present premiered final yr.
Even streaming reveals resembling Legal Minds: Evolution weren’t immune to vary with Josh Stewart‘s Will being killed off in Could 2025 after being on the present since 2007.
Hold scrolling to see which Regulation & Order: SVU characters are returning for season 27 — and which aren’t:
Olivia Benson
“I’m clearly not finished with SVU and I’ve a lot accountability there nonetheless, which is protecting me artistically challenged. It’s difficult. Within the meantime, I even have had these unimaginable moments,” Hargitay completely instructed Us Weekly in Could 2024 about remaining on the present since its 1999 premiere. “I’m actually pleased and fulfilled with my life proper now. So, we’ll see what comes. However as of proper now, I’m very pleased on the trip.”
Fin Tutuola
Earlier than season 26 kicked off in October 2024, Ice-T promised that it might be one to recollect. “We’re very enthusiastic about going into season 26,” he instructed Us in June 2024. “I believe final season we caught an entire different wind of followers, and all people acquired in it, and the rankings had been nice. I don’t see any motive why SVU can’t go 30 [seasons].”
Dominick ‘Sonny’ Carisi Jr.
Scanavino has been a sequence common since becoming a member of the present in 2013. With Carisi’s spouse coming again to the sequence, it feels protected to imagine that the assistant director legal professional isn’t going wherever quickly.
Joe Velasco
Pisano initially joined Regulation & Order: SVU in season 23 however isn’t returning now that the present has been picked up for extra episodes.
Terry Bruno
Kane had a recurring position for 2 seasons earlier than being promoted to fundamental solid in season 26. There have been no bulletins about Kane stepping away within the wake of Pisano and Martinez’s stunning joint departures.
Regulation & Order: Particular Victims Unit has been going robust since 1999, however not all of its main characters have stayed all through its future. In actual fact, the one remaining unique solid member from the present’s first season is Mariska Hargitay, whose character began as detective Olivia Benson and has since grow to be the captain of […]
Kate Silva
Martinez got here on board throughout season 26 and exited after just one yr.
Amanda Rollins
Kelli Giddish initially departed Regulation & Order: SVU in the midst of season 24 after greater than a decade on the present. She was a visitor star in numerous episodes all through seasons 25 and 26 earlier than being confirmed as a sequence common for season 27.
Elliot Stabler
Christopher Meloni made the transfer from Regulation & Order: Particular Victims Unit to Regulation & Order: Organized Crime in 2021. However that doesn’t imply Meloni hasn’t made visitor appearances since then — particularly as followers preserve ready for a romance between Stabler and Benson.
“I’m at all times open to opening that may of worms,” Meloni instructed Us in April 2025, hinting at a attainable relationship between the previous skilled companions. “It’s powers which are above me.”