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The SVU Revolution: Major Cast Shakeups, Returns, And Who Is Confirmed For Season 27

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The landscape of television’s longest-running primetime drama, Law & Order: Special Victims Unit, is undergoing a massive transformation, with the series confirming its renewal for an unprecedented 27th season in the 2025-2026 broadcast year. As of December 23, 2025, the core of the Special Victims Unit remains intact, but the squad room is seeing significant new faces and emotional farewells that will reshape the team dynamics for the new season. This deep dive covers every confirmed cast member, the major shakeups, and the status of the show's most enduring relationships, including the latest on the 'Bensler' saga.

The upcoming seasons promise a blend of familiar comfort and shocking change, ensuring that Captain Olivia Benson’s story—and the fight for justice—continues with renewed energy. With the show consistently tackling complex, ripped-from-the-headlines cases, the strength of the ensemble cast is paramount, and the latest roster updates reveal a strategic move to energize the procedural's narrative for its next monumental chapter.

The Confirmed SVU Main Cast: A Full Biography Profile

The foundation of Law & Order: SVU rests on its enduring lead actors. The following is a breakdown of the confirmed series regulars for the upcoming Season 27, including the returning fan-favorite, with key biographical details and their tenure on the show.

Mariska Hargitay (Captain Olivia Benson)

  • Full Name: Mariska Magdolna Hargitay
  • Born: January 23, 1964, in Santa Monica, California, U.S.
  • Role: Captain Olivia Benson (formerly Detective, Sergeant, and Lieutenant).
  • Tenure on SVU: 1999–Present (Season 1 to Season 27).
  • Key Fact: Hargitay holds the record for the longest-running female character in a primetime live-action series. She is also the founder of the Joyful Heart Foundation, an organization dedicated to supporting survivors of sexual assault, domestic violence, and child abuse.

Ice-T (Sergeant Odafin "Fin" Tutuola)

  • Full Name: Tracy Lauren Marrow
  • Born: February 16, 1958, in Newark, New Jersey, U.S.
  • Role: Sergeant Odafin "Fin" Tutuola (formerly Detective).
  • Tenure on SVU: 2000–Present (Season 2 to Season 27).
  • Key Fact: A pioneering rapper and actor, Ice-T joined the cast in the second season and is the second-longest-serving cast member. His contract was recently renewed for at least two more years, securing his future on the squad.

Peter Scanavino (A.D.A. Dominick "Sonny" Carisi Jr.)

  • Full Name: Peter Scanavino
  • Born: February 29, 1980, in Denver, Colorado, U.S.
  • Role: Assistant District Attorney Dominick "Sonny" Carisi Jr. (formerly Detective).
  • Tenure on SVU: 2014–Present (Season 16 to Season 27).
  • Key Fact: Scanavino’s character made a major career shift from detective to ADA, bringing a unique perspective to the courtroom. His relationship with Amanda Rollins (Kelli Giddish) forms one of the show’s most beloved new dynamics, affectionately dubbed 'Rollisi'.

Kelli Giddish (Sergeant Amanda Rollins)

  • Full Name: Kelli Giddish
  • Born: April 13, 1980, in Cumming, Georgia, U.S.
  • Role: Sergeant Amanda Rollins (formerly Detective).
  • Tenure on SVU: 2011–2022 (Series Regular, Season 13–24); 2023–2024 (Guest Star, Season 25-26); 2025–Present (Series Regular, Season 27).
  • Key Fact: After an emotional departure in Season 24, Giddish is confirmed to return as a series regular for Season 27. Her character, now a forensic psychology professor, will be balancing her academic career with her new role back in the squad room.

The Shocking Season 26 Departures and New Promotion

While the return of Kelli Giddish is a massive win for the show’s longevity, Season 26 concluded with two significant departures that signal a major shift in the squad's composition. The turnover of detectives is a hallmark of the Law & Order universe, and the latest changes are no exception, clearing the way for new dynamics.

Farewell to Velasco and Martínez

Fans were surprised to learn that two series regulars, Octavio Pisano (Detective Joe Velasco) and Juliana Martínez (Detective Corgan), will not be returning as main cast members for the upcoming Season 27.

  • Octavio Pisano joined as Detective Joe Velasco in Season 23, quickly becoming a key part of the investigative team. His departure removes one of the newer, younger detectives from the roster, leaving a void in the investigative core.
  • The character of Detective Corgan, played by Juliana Martínez, was a more recent addition, and her exit further streamlines the team, placing more focus back on the core trio of Benson, Fin, and the returning Rollins.

Kevin Kane Rises to Series Regular

Balancing the departures is the promotion of Kevin Kane, who plays Detective Terry Bruno, to a series regular. Kane’s character, introduced as a temporary replacement, quickly became a fan favorite due to his strong chemistry with the rest of the squad and his no-nonsense approach to cases.

  • Kevin Kane (Detective Terry Bruno): His promotion ensures that the squad maintains a strong, veteran detective presence alongside Fin. This move is seen as a vote of confidence in Kane's performance and his ability to carry significant storylines.

Benson and Stabler: The Latest on the 'Bensler' Relationship Status

No discussion of the SVU cast is complete without addressing the enduring, decades-long tension between Captain Olivia Benson and her former partner, Detective Elliot Stabler, played by Christopher Meloni. The 'Bensler' dynamic is the emotional anchor for both SVU and the spin-off, Law & Order: Organized Crime.

The Season 27 'Will They/Won't They'

The latest news for the 2025-2026 season suggests the narrative is moving closer than ever to a resolution. While the show's creator, Dick Wolf, has historically been cautious about pushing the pair into a romantic relationship, the actors and producers continue to tease the possibility.

  • Christopher Meloni’s Comments: Meloni has made bold comments about the relationship, acknowledging the intense fan desire for the characters to finally unite.
  • Crossover Potential: With Stabler leading Organized Crime, the two characters frequently cross paths. These crossover episodes are often the most highly-rated, specifically because of the emotional weight of their interactions.
  • The Fan Intention: The "will they/won't they" tension is a major driver of viewership. The writers are well aware that any major step forward in their relationship would "break the internet," and the possibility remains a central focus of the storytelling for Season 27.

Topical Authority: The SVU Legacy and Future

Law & Order: Special Victims Unit is more than just a police procedural; it is a cultural phenomenon. The show's longevity grants it a unique topical authority in television history, and its cast is central to that legacy.

Longest-Running Primetime Drama

The show officially surpassed Gunsmoke and its predecessor, Law & Order, to become the longest-running primetime live-action series in American television history, a record it continues to extend with the renewal for Season 27.

The Power of the Ensemble

The show's success is often attributed to the powerful, decade-spanning relationships between the actors. The return of Kelli Giddish and the promotion of Kevin Kane show a commitment to honoring the show's past while injecting fresh energy. The blend of veterans like Hargitay and Ice-T with the newer additions ensures the show can adapt to evolving social and legal landscapes.

The Financial Reality of SVU

The dedication of the core cast comes with a significant financial commitment from the network. Mariska Hargitay, in particular, remains one of the highest-paid actors on television, reportedly earning $500,000 per episode, a testament to her irreplaceable role as the face of the franchise.

As Law & Order: SVU charges toward its 27th season, the cast is set for one of its most dynamic periods yet. With beloved characters returning, new ones stepping into the spotlight, and the emotional core of Benson and Fin stronger than ever, the show is poised to maintain its reign as the definitive crime drama on television.

law & order svu cast
law & order svu cast

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