The SVU Cast Shakeup: Who's OUT And Who's Returning For Law & Order Season 26 & 27?

The longest-running primetime drama in television history, Law & Order: Special Victims Unit (SVU), is heading into its historic 26th and 27th seasons with some massive changes to the squad room. As of December 18, 2025, fans are bracing for a major cast shakeup that will see two series regulars depart, while the core trio of Captain Olivia Benson, Sergeant Fin Tutuola, and ADA Dominick Carisi Jr. remain to anchor the show's future. The dynamic of the Special Victims Unit is set to evolve dramatically, promising fresh and compelling storylines for the new seasons.

The latest updates confirm that the heart of the show, Mariska Hargitay, will continue her record-breaking run, but the supporting detective lineup is undergoing a significant transformation. This article dives deep into the current main cast, the recent high-profile departures, and the surprising return of a fan-favorite character, providing the most up-to-date information on the Law & Order: SVU team.

The SVU Core: Full Biography and Profiles of the Longest-Running Cast

The foundation of Law & Order: SVU rests on the shoulders of its three longest-serving main cast members. Their dedication to their roles has made them iconic figures in television history, creating the topical authority that defines the series.

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Mariska Hargitay (Captain Olivia Benson)

• Full Name: Mariska Magdolna Hargitay
• Born: January 23, 1964, in Santa Monica, California, U.S.
• Role on SVU: Captain Olivia Benson (formerly Junior Detective, Senior Detective, Sergeant, and Lieutenant).
• Career Highlights: Hargitay is the daughter of actress Jayne Mansfield and bodybuilder Mickey Hargitay. She has played Olivia Benson since the show's premiere in 1999, making her the longest-running female character in a primetime live-action series. Beyond acting, she is a dedicated philanthropist, having founded 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 the show.

Ice-T (Sergeant Odafin "Fin" Tutuola)

• Full Name: Tracy Lauren Marrow
• Born: February 16, 1958, in Newark, New Jersey, U.S.
• Role on SVU: Sergeant Odafin "Fin" Tutuola (formerly Detective).
• Career Highlights: Before becoming a beloved actor, Ice-T was a legendary figure in the world of hip-hop and rock music. He is a pioneer of gangsta rap and fronted the heavy metal band Body Count, which produced the controversial first-ever album to carry a parental advisory label. He joined the SVU cast in the second season (2000), making him the second-longest-serving cast member after Hargitay.

Peter Scanavino (ADA Dominick "Sonny" Carisi Jr.)

• Full Name: Peter Muller Scanavino
• Born: February 29, 1980, in Denver, Colorado, U.S.
• Role on SVU: Assistant District Attorney Dominick "Sonny" Carisi Jr. (formerly Detective).
• Career Highlights: Scanavino initially appeared in a guest role on SVU in Season 14 before joining the main cast as Detective Carisi in Season 16. His character transitioned from a detective to a fully-fledged Assistant District Attorney (ADA), a rare and significant character arc within the Law & Order universe. His on-screen relationship with Amanda Rollins has become a central storyline, culminating in their marriage.

Major Cast Departures: Two Detectives Leave the Squad Room

The biggest news impacting the Law & Order: SVU cast for the upcoming seasons is the confirmed departure of two series regulars. This SVU cast shakeup signals a new era for the unit, refocusing the narrative on the core team and introducing new dynamics.

Detective Joe Velasco (Octavio Pisano)

Octavio Pisano, who portrayed Detective Joe Velasco, will not be returning as a series regular after Season 26. Pisano joined the show in Season 23, quickly becoming a fixture in the squad room. His character, Velasco, often served as a counterpoint to the more seasoned detectives, bringing a fresh perspective and a complex backstory. His absence will leave a noticeable gap in the detective lineup alongside Fin and Benson.

Detective Kate Silva (Juliana Martinez)

Similarly, Juliana Martinez, who played Detective Kate Silva, is also departing the series after Season 26. Martinez had a shorter run, making her debut in the series in October 2024. The loss of both Velasco and Silva at the same time is a significant shift, leaving Captain Benson with a smaller team as she tackles the difficult cases of the Special Victims Unit.

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These departures, while disappointing for fans of the newer characters, are part of the natural evolution of the long-running Dick Wolf franchise. Showrunners often adjust the cast to keep the narrative fresh and allow for new character introductions, maintaining the show's high level of topical authority.

The Surprise Return: Kelli Giddish is Back as Amanda Rollins

In a move that has thrilled loyal viewers, Kelli Giddish is confirmed to return to Law & Order: SVU as Sergeant Amanda Rollins for multiple appearances in Season 26. Giddish originally left the series as a main cast member in Season 24, where her character married ADA Sonny Carisi and transitioned into a teaching role.

Rollins’ New Role in the NYPD

Unlike her previous returns, which often focused on personal events like her wedding, Rollins' Season 26 appearances will see her in a professional capacity. The fan-favorite detective is set to return while working for the NYPD's Intelligence Unit. This new assignment provides a logical and exciting reason for her to cross paths with the SVU team, particularly her husband, ADA Carisi, and her mentor, Captain Benson.

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• Character Arc: Rollins' return continues to give justice and depth to her character, who remains a key entity in the SVU universe despite her departure as a regular.
• Fan Excitement: The ongoing inclusion of Rollins is a nod to the powerful chemistry between the actors and the enduring popularity of the "Rollisi" storyline.

The Remaining Main Cast and Future Dynamics

With the departures and the recurring returns confirmed, the main cast of Law & Order: SVU for Season 26 and the projected Season 27 will center heavily on the three veterans, Mariska Hargitay, Ice-T, and Peter Scanavino. Their characters—Benson, Fin, and Carisi—are the longest-running characters in the series' history, and their stability is crucial.

The Benson and Fin Partnership

The partnership between Captain Olivia Benson and Sergeant Odafin "Fin" Tutuola is one of the most enduring and respected relationships on television. Their professional and personal bond provides a steady anchor for the show. As the team shrinks, their shared history and mutual trust will be more essential than ever in navigating the complexities of the Special Victims Unit. Ice-T’s portrayal of Fin, with his signature dry wit and street smarts, continues to be a fan favorite.

Carisi’s Role as ADA

Peter Scanavino's character, ADA Dominick Carisi Jr., has become the crucial link between the detectives and the legal side of the criminal justice system. His evolution from a detective who occasionally bumbled the legal aspects of a case to a sharp, empathetic Assistant District Attorney is a testament to the show's commitment to character development. With two detectives leaving, Carisi's role in guiding the remaining team through the legal process will be amplified.

The Potential for New Faces

The simultaneous departure of two series regulars strongly suggests that Captain Benson will be recruiting new detectives to fill the void. While no new series regulars have been officially announced as replacements for Detective Velasco and Detective Silva, the upcoming seasons are highly likely to introduce a fresh cast member or two. The introduction of new characters is a time-tested method to inject new energy and topical storylines into the long-running series, keeping the narrative fresh and engaging for the audience.

The Law & Order: SVU team, under the steady leadership of Captain Benson, is poised for another dramatic chapter. The cast changes confirm that even after more than two decades, the show is not afraid to evolve, promising a compelling and emotionally charged Season 26 and beyond.