The SVU Shake-Up: 5 Shocking Cast Changes That Defined Seasons 26 & 27

The elite squad of the Special Victims Unit is undergoing its most dramatic personnel shift in years, with Seasons 26 and 27 of Law & Order: SVU delivering a massive, revolving door of detectives and a historic change behind the scenes. As of late 2025, Captain Olivia Benson’s team is officially looking different, marked by the triumphant, full-time return of a beloved character, the promotion of a recurring face, and the surprise, rapid-fire exit of two newer detectives.

For a show that has run for over two decades, cast changes are inevitable, but the latest developments signal a creative refresh for the long-running procedural. The biggest news is undoubtedly the full-circle moment for Sergeant Amanda Rollins, alongside a major, unexpected departure that leaves a significant void in the squad room.

The SVU Main Cast: New Lineup and Full Biography Profiles (Seasons 26 & 27)

The core of the Special Victims Unit remains anchored by its two longest-serving members, Mariska Hargitay and Ice-T, but the supporting cast has seen substantial movement leading into the current season. This section details the main cast members, highlighting the latest promotions and additions that are defining the new era of the squad.

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• Mariska Hargitay (Captain Olivia Benson)
  • Role: Captain, Manhattan Special Victims Unit.
  • Biography: Born January 23, 1964, in Santa Monica, California, Hargitay is the daughter of actress Jayne Mansfield and bodybuilder Mickey Hargitay. She holds the record for the longest-running female character in a primetime live-action series. Her earlier notable role was Cynthia Hooper on ER. She is also a director and the founder of the Joyful Heart Foundation, which supports survivors of sexual assault, domestic violence, and child abuse.
• Ice-T (Sergeant Odafin "Fin" Tutuola)
  • Role: Sergeant, Manhattan Special Victims Unit.
  • Biography: Born Tracy Lauren Marrow in Newark, New Jersey, Ice-T is a legendary rapper and actor who joined SVU in Season 2. He is the longest-running male actor on a primetime live-action series. Beyond acting, he is the lead singer of the heavy metal band Body Count and has a long, influential career in music and rap.
• Peter Scanavino (Assistant District Attorney Dominick "Sonny" Carisi, Jr.)
  • Role: ADA, Manhattan District Attorney’s Office (formerly Detective in SVU).
  • Biography: Born February 29, 1980, in Denver, Colorado. Scanavino is an American actor who joined the cast in Season 16 as a detective before transitioning to the role of ADA in Season 21. His character's move from the precinct to the courtroom was a major shift. He is married to Kelli Giddish's character, Sergeant Amanda Rollins, and they have children together.
• Kelli Giddish (Sergeant Amanda Rollins) - MAJOR RETURN
  • Role: Sergeant, NYPD Intelligence Unit (returning as Series Regular in Season 27).
  • Biography: Giddish portrayed Detective Amanda Rollins from Season 13 to Season 24, departing to become a criminology professor. She returned as a series regular in Season 27, though her character is now a Sergeant in the Intelligence Unit, allowing her to collaborate on cases and maintain her relationship with Carisi. Her initial departure was a shock to the cast and fans.
• Kevin Kane (Detective Terry Bruno) - PROMOTED
  • Role: Detective, Manhattan Special Victims Unit.
  • Biography: Originally from Philadelphia, Kane was promoted to a series regular for Season 26. He is a seasoned actor, director, and producer, notably co-producing and appearing in the Emmy-winning sketch comedy series Inside Amy Schumer. He had previously guest-starred on SVU in four different roles before landing the part of the sardonic Detective Bruno in Season 24.
• Aimé Donna Kelly (Captain Renee Curry) - PROMOTED
  • Role: Captain, NYPD.
  • Biography: Kelly was promoted to a series regular for Season 27 after recurring as Captain Curry, a former commanding officer from the Internal Affairs Bureau (IAB), since Season 22. She brings a focus on police reform to the squad. She holds an MFA from the Yale School of Drama and previously worked as an Assistant Professor of Theatre Arts.

The Shocking Revolving Door: Two Sudden Exits in Seasons 26 & 27

The news cycle for SVU in 2025 was dominated by two significant departures that left Captain Benson's squad short-handed once again, even as new faces were being introduced. These sudden exits highlight the ongoing challenge of maintaining a stable team in the high-stress environment of the Special Victims Unit.

The Brief Tenure of Detective Kate Silva (Juliana Aidén Martinez)

Juliana Aidén Martinez joined the main cast as Junior Detective Kate Silva for Season 26, a character framed as a complex addition who would fill the void left by Amanda Rollins' initial departure.

Martinez, known for her breakout role as June Hawkins in the Netflix series Griselda, was a highly anticipated addition. Her character, Kate Silva, was introduced with a compelling background: the daughter of a long-time cop, facing initial mistrust from the squad who suspected she got the job through nepotism.

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However, in a surprising turn of events, it was announced that Martinez would be departing the series after only one season. This abrupt exit for a new main cast member is rare for the show and means that Detective Silva’s storyline—including the secrets hinted at in her personal life—was cut short, leaving fans to wonder about her character’s ultimate fate and the reasons for the sudden shift.

Detective Joe Velasco’s Final Farewell (Octavio Pisano)

Detective Joe Velasco, played by Octavio Pisano, had been a fixture in the squad room since Season 23, providing a grounded, street-smart presence. His character was known for his troubled past and his loyalty to Benson and Fin.

Reports initially surfaced during Season 26 that Pisano would be leaving the series. While he ultimately remained a series regular for Season 26, his departure was confirmed to occur early in Season 27.

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Velasco's final episode as a series regular was the third episode of Season 27, marking the end of his four-season run. His exit, coupled with Silva's, means Captain Benson lost two detectives in quick succession, further emphasizing the unstable nature of the SVU team dynamics.

The Triumphant Return of Rollins and the New Era of Leadership

The biggest news for long-time viewers is the return of a fan-favorite, Kelli Giddish, and the elevation of a powerful recurring character, signaling a shift in the show's dynamic as it heads into a new chapter.

Kelli Giddish’s Full-Time Comeback as Sergeant Rollins

Kelli Giddish’s departure in Season 24 to pursue a teaching career—and marry ADA Sonny Carisi—was widely reported to have blindsided the cast and was met with significant fan backlash. However, after multiple guest appearances in Seasons 25 and 26, Giddish was officially announced to be returning as a series regular for Season 27.

Rollins’ character arc saw her quit her criminology professorship in Season 25, admitting she missed the adrenaline and purpose of police work. Her full-time return is as a Sergeant in the NYPD’s Intelligence Unit, not directly in the SVU squad room, which keeps her role fresh while allowing her to collaborate frequently with Benson, Fin, and her husband, Carisi. This twist addresses fan demand while maintaining the integrity of her prior exit storyline.

The Promotion of Captain Renee Curry (Aimé Donna Kelly)

Aimé Donna Kelly, who has been recurring as Captain Renee Curry since Season 22, was promoted to a series regular for Season 27. Curry, initially known for her work in the Internal Affairs Bureau (IAB), represents a new layer of NYPD leadership working alongside Benson.

Her promotion signals a continued focus on the internal politics and reform issues within the NYPD, a topical theme that has become increasingly prominent in the Dick Wolf universe. Curry’s presence, now a permanent fixture, adds a new power dynamic to Benson’s command structure.

Beyond the Detectives: A Historic Shift Behind the Camera

The changes extend beyond the actors on screen. The show's leadership has also seen a major transition that promises to shape the storytelling for years to come.

Michele Fazekas: SVU’s First Female Showrunner

Following the departure of showrunner David Graziano after Season 26, Michele Fazekas was named his successor for Season 27. This appointment is a historic milestone for the long-running series, as Fazekas is the first woman to hold the position of showrunner for Law & Order: SVU.

Fazekas is not new to the series, having previously worked as a writer-producer on the show from Seasons 3 through 7. Her return to the helm signals a potential shift in narrative focus, bringing a new perspective to the show's exploration of sensitive subjects.

The Impact on Benson and Future Crossovers

The constant flux of the squad room puts immense pressure on Captain Olivia Benson, who must continuously rebuild her team. The loss of Velasco and Silva, immediately offset by the return of Rollins and the promotion of Curry, suggests a focus on veteran presence and a smaller, tighter core unit.

Furthermore, the ongoing relationship between Benson and Elliot Stabler (Christopher Meloni), who leads the spin-off Law & Order: Organized Crime, remains a critical narrative thread. The possibility of crossovers, including the recent appearance of Christopher Meloni and a memorial for former Captain Donald Cragen (Dann Florek) in Season 27, ensures that the larger Law & Order universe continues to influence the SVU’s internal dynamics and emotional storylines.

With a historic female showrunner, a fan-favorite back in the fold, and a veteran core team, Law & Order: SVU is clearly embracing change to maintain its status as the longest-running primetime live-action series in television history.