The Ultimate Law & Order: SVU Cast Guide 2025: Who’s In, Who’s Out, And The Shocking Return Of Rollins

The Law & Order: Special Victims Unit (SVU) cast is undergoing one of its most significant shake-ups in years as the legendary police procedural heads into its unprecedented 26th and 27th seasons. As of December 2025, fans are buzzing about a major full-time return, key promotions, and the continued reign of the longest-running female character in television history, Captain Olivia Benson. The latest updates confirm the core team is back, but with new dynamics and a familiar face returning to the Manhattan District Attorney's Office.

The longevity of the SVU cast is a testament to the show’s enduring popularity, but the recent news cycle has been dominated by the triumphant, full-circle return of a fan-favorite detective. This comprehensive guide dives into the full main cast list, provides detailed biographies of the stars, and breaks down every major change you need to know for the upcoming seasons, ensuring you are completely up-to-date on the state of the Special Victims Unit.

The Core Four: Main Cast Biographies & Character Profiles

The foundation of Law & Order: SVU rests on its central characters, whose actors have dedicated decades to the police procedural drama. The current main cast for Season 26 and the confirmed Season 27 features a blend of original veterans and newer, yet established, faces.

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Mariska Hargitay as Captain Olivia Benson

• Born: January 23, 1964 (Santa Monica, California).
• Role: Captain Olivia Benson. She is the commanding officer of the Special Victims Unit and the longest-running character in a primetime live-action series.
• Career Highlights: Hargitay is the daughter of actress Jayne Mansfield and bodybuilder Mickey Hargitay. Beyond acting, she is a dedicated philanthropist, founding the Joyful Heart Foundation, which supports survivors of sexual assault, domestic violence, and child abuse. She has won an Emmy and a Golden Globe for her work on SVU.
• Current Status: Confirmed to return for Season 26 and 27. Her storyline often explores the complex trauma of her past and her relationship with her adopted son, Noah Porter-Benson.

Ice-T as Sergeant Odafin "Fin" Tutuola

• Born: February 16, 1958 (Tracy Lauren Marrow, in Newark, New Jersey).
• Role: Sergeant Odafin “Fin” Tutuola. A veteran detective known for his street smarts and dry wit, Fin is the second longest-serving character on the show.
• Career Highlights: Before acting, Ice-T was a pioneering figure in gangsta rap and hip-hop. He rose to notoriety with his band Body Count and the controversial song "Cop Killer." His transition to a beloved TV cop remains one of the most remarkable career shifts in television history. He joined the cast in Season 2.
• Current Status: Confirmed to return for Season 26 and 27, maintaining his role as Benson's trusted second-in-command.

Peter Scanavino as ADA Dominick "Sonny" Carisi Jr.

• Born: February 29, 1980.
• Role: Assistant District Attorney Dominick "Sonny" Carisi Jr. Originally a detective, Carisi transitioned to the Manhattan District Attorney's Office, bringing his police experience to the courtroom.
• Career Highlights: Scanavino's character was initially introduced in Season 16. He is known for his extensive work in theater before joining the Law & Order franchise. His character’s relationship with Amanda Rollins (Kelli Giddish) has been a major focus of recent seasons.
• Current Status: Confirmed to return for Season 26 and 27, continuing his work as the lead ADA prosecuting sex crimes cases.

Kelli Giddish as Sergeant Amanda Rollins

• Born: April 13, 1980.
• Role: Sergeant Amanda Rollins. After departing the SVU to become a professor at Fordham University, Rollins has made significant recurring appearances.
• Career Highlights: Giddish joined the cast in Season 13 and quickly became a fan favorite. Her initial departure was a major storyline, but the latest news confirms her full-time return.
• Current Status: Confirmed to return as a series regular for the upcoming Season 27, following multiple guest appearances in Season 26. This is one of the biggest cast updates in recent history.

Major Cast Shake-Ups: Promotions and the Full-Time Return

The production team, led by Executive Producer Dick Wolf, is constantly evolving the ensemble cast to keep the long-running series fresh. Seasons 26 and 27 will feature significant changes in the ranks of the Special Victims Unit and the District Attorney's office, solidifying the show’s topical authority in the police procedural genre.

The Triumphant Return of Sergeant Amanda Rollins

The most explosive news for the Law & Order franchise is the official, full-time return of Kelli Giddish as Sergeant Amanda Rollins. Her character's departure in Season 24 left a major void, but Giddish is set to rejoin the main cast as a series regular in Season 27. Her character, who is married to ADA Sonny Carisi, will continue to be a crucial link between the investigative and legal arms of the Manhattan District Attorney's Office, likely splitting time between her new role as an Intelligence Detective and her family life with Carisi and their children. This move is seen as a major win for fans who missed the "Rollisi" dynamic and her complex character arc.

Kevin Kane’s Promotion to Series Regular

Detective Terry Bruno, played by actor Kevin Kane, has been a welcome addition since his introduction. For Season 26, Kane has been promoted to a series regular, a move that provides a stable, experienced detective presence alongside Ice-T's Fin Tutuola. Bruno's character fills the gap left by previous departures and is expected to take on a more prominent role in the day-to-day investigations of the Special Victims Unit, working closely under Captain Benson.

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New Faces and Detective Joe Velasco’s Status

The cast continues to grow with the addition of Juliana Aidén Martinez, who joins the series in an undisclosed role for Season 26. Her arrival suggests a fresh dynamic within the NYPD's elite unit. Meanwhile, Detective Joe Velasco, played by Octavio Pisano, who joined the squad in Season 23, is also confirmed to be returning. Pisano's character provides a younger, often more morally ambiguous, perspective on police work, ensuring the show maintains its edge in exploring complex legal rights and crime and punishment themes.

Recurring Characters and Guest Stars: Expanding the SVU Universe

Topical authority in a long-running show like SVU is often maintained by a strong network of recurring characters—the judges, defense attorneys, and family members—who ground the show in reality. The upcoming seasons are no exception, featuring several high-profile returns and new additions.

Key Recurring Legal and NYPD Figures

The courtroom battles are as vital as the detective work, and the legal team is expanding:

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• Defense Attorney Harry Kagan (Zak Orth): Confirmed to appear in Season 26, Orth's character provides the necessary friction against Carisi in the courtroom, challenging the NYPD's methods and legal terminology.
• Attorney April Andrews (Erin Anderson) and Judge Karyn Blake (Ami Brabson): These characters, along with others like Judge Colin McNamara (Stephen C. Bradbury), are vital cogs in the justice system machine, ensuring the police procedural maintains its realism.

The Benson Family and Returning Guest Stars

Captain Benson's personal life remains a key component of the show, with her adopted son being a constant presence:

• Noah Porter-Benson (Ryan Buggle): Benson's son is a critical entity, reminding viewers of the human stakes in the Special Victims Unit's cases. Buggle is confirmed to return as the recurring character.
• Tony Goldwyn: The actor is confirmed to have a significant guest role in Season 26, following his appearance in Season 25. His character's arc is expected to be a major storyline, reflecting the show's tradition of high-caliber guest stars.
• Ethan Cutkosky: In a move that will delight long-time viewers, the notorious villain who previously appeared in Season 14 is reportedly returning for a guest-starring role in Season 27, promising a dark and dramatic storyline for the squad.

The synergy between the main cast—Hargitay, Ice-T, Scanavino, and the returning Giddish—and the expanded ensemble ensures that Law & Order: SVU remains the gold standard of crime and punishment television. With Season 26 and 27 on the horizon, the Special Victims Unit is set for more dramatic, high-stakes investigations.