Is Law & Order: SVU New Tonight? Your 5-Point Guide To The December 18, 2025 Schedule

The definitive answer is no, a new episode of Law & Order: Special Victims Unit is not airing tonight, Thursday, December 18, 2025. Fans hoping to catch Captain Olivia Benson and the squad tackling a fresh case will have to wait, as the show is currently on its annual winter hiatus following its dramatic mid-season finale. Instead of a new installment of Season 27, NBC is airing a rerun to fill the 9/8c time slot, a common practice during the holiday season.

The long-running procedural drama, which premiered its historic 27th season back in September 2025, wrapped up the first half of its run last month. This break is standard for network television shows, giving the cast and crew time off and allowing the network to save new episodes for the start of the new year. Keep reading for the exact date the squad will return and a complete breakdown of what you missed in the first half of the season.

The Complete Biography of Mariska Hargitay (Captain Olivia Benson)

As the undisputed face of the franchise and the longest-running female character in a prime-time live-action series, Mariska Hargitay’s journey is as compelling as any case file. Her portrayal of Captain Olivia Benson is the core of Law & Order: SVU’s enduring success and topical authority.

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• Full Name: Mariska Magdolna Hargitay
• Date of Birth: January 23, 1964
• Birthplace: Santa Monica, California, U.S.
• Parents: Jayne Mansfield (Actress, model, and sex symbol) and Mickey Hargitay (Mr. Universe 1955)
• Spouse: Peter Hermann (Married 2004)
• Children: Three (August Miklos Friedrich, Amaya Josephine, and Andrew Nicolas)
• Role on SVU: Captain Olivia Benson (Detective, Sergeant, Lieutenant, and now Captain)
• First Appearance on SVU: September 20, 1999 (Season 1, Episode 1, "Payback")
• Key Achievements: Golden Globe Award (2005), Primetime Emmy Award (2006), and multiple People's Choice Awards.
• Philanthropy: Founder of the Joyful Heart Foundation, an organization dedicated to supporting survivors of sexual assault, domestic violence, and child abuse.
• Current Status: As of Season 27, she is the longest-serving cast member of any live-action primetime show in American television history.

When Will Law & Order: SVU Return with New Episodes?

The good news for fans is that the hiatus is relatively short. The entire "Law & Order" Thursday night lineup—including the original Law & Order and Law & Order: Organized Crime—will return to NBC with new episodes in early January 2026.

The final new episode of 2025, which served as the mid-season finale, aired on November 20, 2025. This episode, titled "Showdown," left several storylines hanging, making the winter break feel particularly agonizing for viewers dedicated to the long-running crime procedural.

While an exact date for the 27th season's mid-season premiere is typically confirmed closer to the new year, the show traditionally returns on the first or second Thursday of January. Fans should mark their calendars for a new episode to air sometime in the first two weeks of January 2026. New episodes will continue to air in their regular time slot: Thursdays at 9/8c on NBC.

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If you miss the live broadcast, you can always catch up the next day. All new episodes of Law & Order: SVU Season 27 are available to stream on Peacock, NBC's streaming service.

A Look Back: Key Storylines from SVU Season 27 So Far

Season 27, which premiered on September 25, 2025, has already delivered several emotionally charged and complex cases, continuing the show's tradition of addressing difficult, current social issues.

The season has seen Captain Benson navigate the ever-shifting landscape of the NYPD, balancing her dedication to victims with the political pressures of her rank. The ongoing, complex relationship between Benson and Detective Elliot Stabler (Christopher Meloni), which primarily plays out on the spin-off Law & Order: Organized Crime, continues to be a major source of fan speculation and topical discussion, with crossover potential always looming large.

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For those looking to catch up during the hiatus, here is a list of the first half of Season 27 episodes and their original air dates:

• Episode 1: "In the Wind" (September 25, 2025)
• Episode 2: "A Waiver of Consent" (October 2, 2025)
• Episode 3: "A Vicious Circle" (October 9, 2025)
• Episode 4: "Clickbait" (October 16, 2025)
• Episode 5: "Feed the Craving" (October 23, 2025)
• Episode 6: "Under the Influence" (October 30, 2025)
• Episode 7: "False Idols" (November 6, 2025)
• Episode 8: "Showdown" (November 20, 2025) - Mid-Season Finale

These episodes cover a range of sensitive topics, from the complexities of consent and online exploitation to predatory behavior within various institutions. The show continues to be a powerful vehicle for exploring the darkest corners of human behavior, a key reason for its longevity and success under the creative oversight of Dick Wolf.

How to Watch Law & Order: SVU During the Hiatus

Just because there isn't a new episode tonight doesn't mean you can't get your fix of the Special Victims Unit. There are several ways to rewatch classic episodes and catch up on Season 27:

1. Binge the Current Season on Peacock

As the official streaming home of NBCUniversal, Peacock has all of the newest Season 27 episodes ("In the Wind" through "Showdown") available for streaming. This is the fastest way to get completely current before the January 2026 return.

2. Reruns on NBC and USA Network

Check your local listings for NBC, as they frequently air reruns of SVU on Thursday nights, including tonight’s scheduled rerun of an older episode. The USA Network also runs marathon blocks of classic episodes throughout the week, offering a deep dive into the show's history, from the early days with Detective Stabler to the more recent era with the current squad.

3. Stream the Classics

For a complete journey through the history of the Special Victims Unit, most major streaming platforms offer older seasons for purchase, or you can check if your current subscription service has a back catalog available. Watching earlier seasons is a great way to appreciate the evolution of Captain Benson's character and the show's narrative style over the past two decades.

While the wait for new episodes is always challenging, the return in January 2026 promises to bring back the intense drama, compelling cases, and emotional depth that have made Law & Order: SVU a television institution for over 27 seasons. Until then, grab a blanket, fire up Peacock, and relive the best of the Special Victims Unit.