What to Know About ‘Law and Order: SVU' Season 27 After Major Cast Shakeups

Law and Order: Special Victims Unit will be back with a 27th season — and Mariska Hargitay’s Olivia Benson has some familiar faces returning to the squad.

“I went on the show to do four episodes, and it just keeps giving,” Ice-T, who has been playing Sergeant Odafin “Fin” Tutuola since 2000, told Us Weekly exclusively in June. “Every year we come out; we go through different changes.”

After SVU season 26 ended in May, some major cast changes were announced (more on that in a second) but that won’t stop the cast.

“When Chris [Meloni] left [in 2011], we didn’t know how we were going to recalibrate. We’ve had so many different cast members,” Ice-T continued. “For some reason, it just keeps coming back, and the fans just love the show. I just think the show is part entertainment, part therapy.”

Which 'Law and Order: SVU' Stars Are — And Aren't — Returning for Season 27

It doesn’t seem like the show will end any time soon — especially if Hartigay has anything to say about it.

“I’m still in the race, I’m still in the marathon,” the actress told Us exclusively in May 2024. “I’ve got a ways to go before the finish line.”

Keep scrolling for everything to know about SVU season 27:

Who Is Returning to ‘Law & Order: SVU’ Season 27?

Hargitay and Ice-T will, of course, be reprising their roles as Olivia Benson and Fin, respectively. They will be joined by Peter Scanavino as ADA Dominick ‘Sonny’ Carisi Jr. and Kevin Kane as Terry Bruno. Kelli Giddish will also make her return as Amanda Rollins, and she’s been bumped up to series regular for season 27.

Peter Kramer/NBC

It’s been rumored that past SVU cast members Dann Florek (Captain Donald Cragen), BD Wong (Dr. George Huang) and Dean Winters (Detective Brian Cassidy) will also make an appearance. (Us Weekly has reached out to NBC for comment.)

Who Is Leaving ‘Law & Order: SVU’ Season 27?

Juliana Martinez will not be reprising her role as Kate Silva this time around.

Octavio Pisano, who’s played Detective Joe Velasco since 2020, will make a brief appearance in the season 27 premiere to wrap up his character’s storyline before saying goodbye to the role.

Virginia Sherwood/NBC

Did Christopher Meloni Return to ‘Law & Order: SVU’ Season 27?

Meloni, who stars as Elliot Stabler on Law and Order: Organized Crime, might just be making a guest appearance on SVU as well. He and Hargitay have been photographed filming the show in NYC.

Mariska Hargitay and Chris Meloni Photos Raise Benson and Stabler Questions

When Will ‘Law & Order: SVU’ Season 27 Premiere?

Law and Order: SVU season 27 is set to premiere on NBC Thursday, September 25 at 9 p.m. ET. Episodes will be available to stream the following day on Peacock.