The long-running crime drama Law & Order: Special Victims Unit is getting ready for its 28th season. NBC has renewed the show, and fans are eager to know which cast members will be back. With recent changes in the cast, here is a full breakdown of who is returning, who has exited, and what viewers can expect from the new season.
The show, which first premiered in 1999, follows the detectives of the NYPD’s Special Victims Unit as they investigate and prosecute sex-related crimes. After 27 seasons, the series remains one of the most popular procedurals on television. Season 28 will bring back several fan-favorite actors while saying goodbye to others.
Mariska Hargitay Is Returning as Olivia Benson
Mariska Hargitay will return as Captain Olivia Benson for Season 28. Hargitay has played Benson since the very first episode of the show. She is the heart of the series and has been a constant presence for over two decades. There were some rumors online about her leaving, but those reports are not accurate. Multiple trusted sources confirm she is staying.
Hargitay has spoken about her love for the show and her castmates. She told NBC Insider that she enjoys going to work every day and values the community she is part of. Her return ensures that the series will continue with its leading character at the center of the story.
Ice-T Will Have More Screen Time in Season 28
Ice-T is returning as Sergeant Odafin “Fin” Tutuola. The actor has been with the show since Season 2, which aired in 2000. In Season 27, his screen time was reduced. This happened because the show brought back Kelli Giddish as Amanda Rollins, and the budget required some adjustments.
Ice-T explained the situation in an interview with TMZ. He said the producers told him they needed to move things around for budget reasons. He asked if he was being fired, and they said no. He accepted the change and said he understood it was just business.
For Season 28, Ice-T will appear in every episode. His character Fin will have a bigger role in the upcoming season. Showrunner Michele Fazekas told TVLine that she wants to see Fin in more of a training capacity, acting as a number two to Benson. This is good news for fans who missed seeing him regularly last season.
Kelli Giddish Returns as a Series Regular
Kelli Giddish is back as Sergeant Amanda Rollins. Giddish left the show in the middle of Season 24 in 2022 after more than a decade on the series. She appeared as a guest star in Seasons 25 and 26. In Season 27, she returned more regularly, and now for Season 28, she is confirmed as a series regular.
Her return last season raised the stakes of the storyline and kept viewers engaged. Fans of Rollins will be happy to know she will have significant screen time in the new season. Her character is once again a full part of the SVU team.
Peter Scanavino Will Continue as Carisi
Peter Scanavino will return as Dominick “Sonny” Carisi Jr. for Season 28. Scanavino has been a regular on the show for many years. His character is a fan favorite, and his future on the show is secure. Viewers are eager to see how Carisi’s story will move forward in the upcoming season.
Other Returning Cast Members
Several other cast members are also returning for Season 28.
Kevin Kane will return as Detective Terry Bruno. Aimé Donna Kelly is expected back as Captain Renee Curry. Kelly was promoted on the show and will continue in her role.
Corey Cott will return as Detective Jake Griffin. Cott has become more front and center on the show after being promoted. His character has gained more attention in recent episodes.
Which Cast Members Have Exited?
Not everyone from previous seasons will be back for Season 28.
Octavio Pisano, who played Detective Joe Velasco, will not be appearing much in the new season. Pisano joined the show in Season 23. Reports confirmed in May 2025 that he was leaving at the end of Season 27.
Juliana Martinez, who played Detective Kate Silva, also exited the show. Martinez came on board during Season 26. Her departure was announced at the same time as Pisano’s.
These exits happened after Michele Fazekas was announced as the series’ first female showrunner. Fazekas took over leadership of the show and has been making changes to the cast and storylines.
Could Christopher Meloni Return?
There is talk that Christopher Meloni might return to the Law & Order universe. Meloni played Elliot Stabler on SVU for many years before leaving. He later starred in the spin-off Law & Order: Organized Crime. That show has been canceled after five seasons.
With his spin-off ending, there is hope that Stabler could return to SVU. However, nothing has been confirmed yet. Fans would love to see Meloni back on the show, but for now, his return is just speculation.
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Season 28 Premiere Date and Where to Watch
Law & Order: SVU Season 28 will premiere on Thursday, October 8, 2026. The show will air at 9/8c on NBC. New episodes will be available to stream the next day on Peacock.
The show is part of NBC’s Thursday night lineup. It will be followed by Law & Order Season 26 at 10/9c. The network has confirmed the fall schedule, and fans can mark their calendars for the return of their favorite detectives.
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What to Expect from the New Season
With the cast changes, Season 28 will bring a fresh dynamic to the SVU team. Ice-T’s increased screen time means Fin will play a bigger role. Kelli Giddish’s return as a series regular adds more depth to the squad. The exits of Pisano and Martinez mean the team will look different from previous seasons.
The show remains the longest-running live-action scripted series on primetime. It continues to follow the ripped-from-the-headlines formula that keeps viewers guessing. The new season will likely address current issues while delivering the drama and suspense fans expect.
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