Law & Order: Special Victims Unit fans will need to wait for new episodes. The drama just went on a break following the January 29 airing of Season 27, Episode 12 and is not scheduled to return until February 26, 2026. This pause in new episodes is due to NBC’s coverage of the 2026 Winter Olympics, which occupies the network’s primetime schedule. The show will return in its usual Thursday time slot.
The series, now in its historic twenty-seventh season, is still delivering intense, character-driven stories. Mariska Hargitay continues her iconic role as Captain Olivia Benson, leading a team that includes Ice-T as Sergeant Fin Tutuola, Peter Scanavino as ADA Sonny Carisi, and Kelli Giddish as Sergeant Amanda Rollins. The return of Giddish as a full-time series regular has been a major point for fans this season.
Why SVU Is On a Break Until Late February
The break in new episodes is directly tied to the 2026 Winter Olympics. NBC, the broadcaster for both the Olympics and SVU, will air Olympic events throughout February, temporarily replacing its regular scripted programming. This scheduling shift is not unusual for NBC shows during an Olympic year.
The last new episode before this hiatus was Episode 12, titled “Hubris”, which aired on Thursday, January 29. This episode featured a guest appearance from Kate Burton, known for Grey’s Anatomy, playing a doctor whose testimony is questioned by Captain Benson.
New episodes of Law & Order: SVU Season 27 will be available to stream the next day (Fridays) on Peacock.
Episode 13 is currently scheduled to premiere on Thursday, February 26, 2026. It will air in the show’s standard time slot, 9/8c on NBC, and be available for streaming on Peacock the following day, Friday, February 27. No official title or plot details for Episode 13 have been released yet.
Where and How to Stream All SVU Episodes
For fans looking to catch up during the break, the primary streaming home for Law & Order: SVU is Peacock. All previous seasons of the show are available on the platform.
- New Episodes: Episodes from the current Season 27 are added to Peacock the day after they air on NBC.
- Past Seasons: Peacock hosts the complete library of SVU, from Season 1 through Season 26.
- Other Law & Order Series: The service also carries episodes of Law & Order: Organized Crime and Law & Order: Criminal Intent.
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Key Cast Returning for Season 27
The twenty-seventh season features a core cast of familiar faces, including several actors who have been with the series for many years. The season is produced under the leadership of showrunner Michele Fazekas, the first woman to hold that role in the show’s history.
Mariska Hargitay continues as the heart of the series, Captain Olivia Benson. Reflecting on her long tenure, Hargitay has said, “It’s just a joy and a privilegeโฆ I love the show. I love it so much”.
Ice-T returns as the seasoned Sergeant Odafin “Fin” Tutuola. He shares the screen with Peter Scanavino as Assistant District Attorney Dominick “Sonny” Carisi, Jr. and Kevin Kane as Detective Terry Bruno.
A significant development this season is the full-time return of Kelli Giddish as Sergeant Amanda Rollins. Giddish’s return has been warmly received, and she has spoken about the dynamic between Rollins and Benson. In a recent interview, she noted, “I think [Rollins] is so respectful and in awe of Benson’s continuing day after day after day belief in people”.
The cast also includes Aimรฉ Donna Kelly as Captain Renee Curry and Corey Cott as the newer squad member, Detective Jake Griffin.
Thanks for reading this update from the VvipTimes entertainment desk. Stay tuned for more on the latest TV news.
