The Unstoppable 5: Everything We Know About The Law & Order SVU Cast For Season 27 (2025)

The longest-running primetime live-action series in television history, Law & Order: Special Victims Unit (SVU), is charging into its monumental 27th season, and as of December 2025, the cast lineup is more dynamic and surprising than ever. The show’s incredible longevity is a testament to its compelling, ripped-from-the-headlines storytelling and, most importantly, the core ensemble that has kept fans glued to their screens for over two decades. This season brings major shifts, including the highly anticipated return of a fan-favorite detective and the departure of two newer squad members, ensuring the Special Victims Unit remains a place of constant, dramatic change.

The upcoming season, slated for a Fall 2025 premiere, will see the return of the iconic duo, Captain Olivia Benson and Sergeant Odafin "Fin" Tutuola, whose contracts and dedication continue to anchor the New York City Police Department’s most sensitive unit. The latest updates reveal a significant shake-up in the squad room dynamics, impacting everything from investigative partnerships to the emotional core of the show. We break down the current roster, the major comebacks, and the essential biographical details of the legendary stars.

The Core SVU Cast: Complete Biography and Profile

The heart of the Special Victims Unit has always been its main cast. As the show enters its 27th season, the two longest-serving actors, Mariska Hargitay and Ice-T, remain the undisputed pillars. Their profiles are a study in television history.

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Mariska Hargitay as Captain Olivia Benson

• Full Name: Mariska Magdolna Hargitay
• Date of Birth: January 23, 1964
• Place of Birth: Santa Monica, California, U.S.
• Parentage: Daughter of actress Jayne Mansfield and bodybuilder/actor Mickey Hargitay.
• Career Highlights: Hargitay has played Olivia Benson since the show's premiere in 1999, making her the longest-running female character in a primetime live-action series. She has directed multiple episodes of SVU.
• Awards & Recognition: She won a Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series in 2006 and a Golden Globe Award for Best Actress – Television Series Drama in 2005.
• Philanthropy: She is the founder and president of the Joyful Heart Foundation, an organization dedicated to supporting survivors of sexual assault, domestic violence, and child abuse.

Ice-T as Sergeant Odafin "Fin" Tutuola

• Real Name: Tracy Lauren Marrow
• Date of Birth: February 16, 1958
• Place of Birth: Newark, New Jersey, U.S.
• Career Highlights: Before his acting career, Ice-T was a pioneering figure in the gangsta rap genre, releasing influential albums like Rhyme Pays (1987). He formed the heavy metal band Body Count, famous for the controversial song "Cop Killer" (1992).
• SVU Role: He joined the cast in the second season (2000) and has been a main fixture ever since, offering a consistent, cynical, yet deeply moral counterpoint to Benson.
• Contract Update: Ice-T has reportedly renewed his contract for at least two more seasons, securing his role well into the future of the series.

The Current Main Cast Roster for SVU Season 27 (2025)

The squad room for Season 27 will feature a mix of veteran presence and a new dynamic, especially with the return of a beloved character and the promotion of a recurring officer. The main cast is officially confirmed to include the following key players:

1. Mariska Hargitay as Captain Olivia Benson

Benson continues her role as the commanding officer, navigating the complexities of leadership, her deep commitment to victims, and the ever-present shadow of her past, including her relationship with Elliot Stabler.

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2. Ice-T as Sergeant Odafin "Fin" Tutuola

The longest-serving detective, now Sergeant, Fin provides the crucial institutional memory and street smarts for the unit. His two-year contract renewal ensures his continued presence as Benson’s right-hand man.

3. Peter Scanavino as A.D.A. Dominick Carisi Jr.

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Carisi has fully transitioned from detective to Assistant District Attorney. His relationship with a returning character is one of the most compelling storylines for the new season. He remains the crucial bridge between the NYPD and the legal system.

4. Kelli Giddish as Sergeant Amanda Rollins (Confirmed Return)

In the biggest news of the season, Kelli Giddish, who departed in Season 24, is officially confirmed to return as Sergeant Amanda Rollins for a major arc in Season 27. Her return is highly anticipated, especially for fans of her complex character arc and her married life with Carisi. This comeback promises to reignite the emotional core of the show.

5. Kevin Kane as Sergeant Corgan

Kevin Kane, who has appeared in a recurring role as Detective Corgan, is expected to have a more prominent role, potentially stepping up into a main cast capacity as Sergeant Corgan to fill the void left by other departures.

Major Departures and Guest Stars: Shaking Up the Squad

While the return of Sergeant Rollins is a huge win for the SVU team, the end of Season 26 saw two notable departures that will impact the day-to-day operations of the squad. Furthermore, the tradition of high-profile guest stars and recurring favorites continues, adding layers of topical authority to the show's narrative.

The Exits of Detective Velasco and Detective Bruno

The procedural drama will feel the loss of two recent additions to the detective roster. Octavio Pisano, who played Detective Joe Velasco, and Juliana Martinez, who played a new detective, both concluded their time as main cast members at the end of Season 26. Their departures create new opportunities for Corgan and Rollins to integrate into the team dynamics.

• Octavio Pisano (Detective Joe Velasco): His character's arc, which involved a complex past and a mentorship with Fin, concluded, leaving a gap in the detective lineup.
• Juliana Martinez (Detective): Her character's tenure was brief but added a fresh perspective to the unit.

The Stabler Factor: Crossovers and 'Bensler' Tension

No discussion of the current SVU cast is complete without mentioning Christopher Meloni's Elliot Stabler. While he is the star of the spin-off, Law & Order: Organized Crime, his character remains intrinsically linked to Benson and the SVU narrative.

Stabler is confirmed to appear in crossover episodes during Season 27, continuing the slow-burn "Bensler" storyline that fans have been following for years. These crossovers are essential viewing, often serving as emotional high points for both series and driving the personal plots of both Captain Benson and Detective Stabler.

The Return of a Beloved Villain

Adding to the dramatic tension, a popular and long-standing villain from the SVU universe is set to return for an upcoming episode in Season 27. The show is known for bringing back complex antagonists, and this return is expected to test Captain Benson's resolve and the unit's investigative skills, reminding audiences that the past always comes back to haunt the Special Victims Unit.

Topical Entities and LSI Keywords for Season 27

The narrative of Season 27 will continue to explore complex themes and legal entities that ground the show in reality. Incorporating the following entities naturally enhances the topical authority of the series:

• Criminal Justice System: The show consistently features the roles of the District Attorney’s Office, the Medical Examiner’s Office, and the NYPD.
• Legal Roles: Assistant District Attorney (ADA), Defense Attorney, and the presiding judge.
• Unit Structure: The hierarchy from Captain to Sergeant to Detective, including the roles of Detective Corgan and the new dynamics with Sergeant Rollins.
• Spin-Offs & Connections: The continued link to Law & Order: Organized Crime and the broader Dick Wolf universe.
• Behind the Scenes: Showrunner, Executive Producer, and the long-time crew that makes the production possible.

With a renewed contract, the return of a fan-favorite, and the continued emotional journey of Captain Olivia Benson and Sergeant Fin Tutuola, Law & Order: SVU Season 27 is poised to be one of the most talked-about seasons yet. The cast is set, the drama is locked in, and the Special Victims Unit is ready to continue its vital work in the Fall of 2025.