The Shocking SVU Cast Shakeup: Who’s In, Who’s Out, And The Major Return For Season 27

The landscape of the Special Victims Unit is changing dramatically. As of late , fans of the longest-running primetime live-action series in television history, Law & Order: Special Victims Unit, are reeling from a series of high-stakes cast announcements that have completely reshaped the squad room for the highly anticipated Season 27. The news cycle has been dominated by a shocking double departure, the promotion of a key recurring player, and the triumphant, unexpected return of a beloved detective.

The core mission of Captain Olivia Benson and her team remains, but the faces around her are undergoing a significant transformation. With Season 27 kicking off on September 25, 2025, the focus is squarely on which familiar faces will be standing alongside Mariska Hargitay and Ice-T as they tackle the city's most difficult cases, and which detectives have turned in their badges for good. The latest updates confirm that the show is not afraid to make bold moves to keep its narrative fresh and compelling, setting the stage for one of the most talked-about seasons in recent memory.

The Core SVU Cast and Their Latest Status Update (Season 27)

The foundation of the Special Victims Unit remains rock solid, anchored by the two longest-serving characters in the show’s history. Their continued presence is the lifeblood of the series, ensuring a sense of continuity even as the squad room evolves.

• The Untouchable Privacy 7 Secrets Of Rachel Mcadams And Jamie Lindens Life Beyond The Red Carpet E820e

Mariska Hargitay as Captain Olivia Benson

• Full Name: Mariska Magdolna Hargitay
• Born: January 23, 1964 (Age 61 as of 2025)
• Role: Captain Olivia Benson (formerly Detective, Sergeant, Lieutenant)
• First Appearance: Season 1, Episode 1 (1999)
• Latest Status: Confirmed to return for Season 27. Hargitay is the only cast member to appear in every single episode and is the longest-running female character in a primetime live-action series.
• Notable Accolades: Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series (2006); Golden Globe Award for Best Actress – Television Series Drama (2005).
• Other Work: Founder of the Joyful Heart Foundation, an organization that supports survivors of sexual assault, domestic violence, and child abuse.

Ice-T as Sergeant Odafin "Fin" Tutuola

• Full Name: Tracy Lauren Marrow
• Born: February 16, 1958 (Age 67 as of 2025)
• Role: Sergeant Odafin "Fin" Tutuola (formerly Detective)
• First Appearance: Season 2, Episode 1 (2000)
• Latest Status: Confirmed to return for Season 27. Ice-T recently signed a two-year contract renewal, securing his role well into the show's future.
• Notable Accolades: Grammy Award winner for his music career.
• Other Work: A pioneering figure in hip-hop and heavy metal, known for his albums like Rhyme Pays and his band Body Count.

Peter Scanavino as ADA Dominick "Sonny" Carisi Jr.

• Full Name: Peter Scanavino
• Born: February 29, 1980 (Age 45 as of 2025)
• Role: Assistant District Attorney Dominick Carisi Jr. (formerly Detective)
• First Appearance: Season 16, Episode 1 (2014)
• Latest Status: Expected to return as the primary ADA for Season 27. His storyline with Amanda Rollins remains a key emotional anchor for the series.

Major Departures and Promotions: The Squad Room Shakeup

The transition between Season 26 and Season 27 has brought about some of the most significant changes to the detective line-up in years. Two series regulars have officially exited the show, while a popular new face has been given a permanent spot.

Two Detectives Exit After Season 26

The biggest news impacting the immediate dynamic of the squad is the departure of two relatively new, yet integrated, detectives. Both Octavio Pisano and Juliana Aidén Martinez have concluded their runs on the series following the end of Season 26.

• Octavio Pisano (Detective Joe Velasco): Pisano joined the cast in Season 23, first appearing in a crossover event with Law & Order: Organized Crime. His character, Detective Velasco, was known for his complex past and his loyalty to Benson. His exit leaves a significant gap in the detective rotation.
• Juliana Aidén Martinez (Detective Kate Silva): Martinez, who played Detective Silva, was a more recent addition, signed on for Season 26. Her departure was announced shortly after the conclusion of Season 26, meaning her time in the squad room was brief.

The reasons behind these exits have not been fully detailed, but they signal a major narrative shift, forcing Captain Benson to rebuild her team and potentially hire new faces to handle the demanding caseload of the Special Victims Unit. This kind of turnover is a classic technique used to inject new energy and dramatic tension into a long-running procedural like SVU.

• The Facts Of Life Cast Where Are Eastlands Girls Now 2024 Updates 2tx8p

Kevin Kane's Promotion to Series Regular

Balancing the departures is the promotion of a fan-favorite character. Kevin Kane, who plays Detective Terry Bruno, has been elevated to a series regular. Kane’s character first appeared in Season 24 and quickly became a popular figure. Detective Bruno’s promotion suggests he will take on a much larger role in the day-to-day investigations, becoming a key member of the new-look SVU team alongside Sergeant Tutuola.

This move is seen as a strategic choice by the producers to invest in a character who has already proven his chemistry with the established cast, providing a smooth transition as the show welcomes new dynamics.

The Shocking Return: Kelli Giddish as Amanda Rollins

Perhaps the most electrifying news for the SVU fandom is the confirmed return of Kelli Giddish as Detective Amanda Rollins. Giddish, who left the series in Season 24, has been announced as a series regular for Season 27.

• Shania Twains Bold Statement Why The Star Chose Nude Photoshoots At 57 Qf9cg

Rollins’ initial departure was emotional, as she left the NYPD to take a teaching position and focus on her family with ADA Carisi. Her return as a series regular is a massive development that is expected to have significant implications for the show's narrative, particularly her relationship with Carisi (Peter Scanavino) and her deep bond with Captain Benson. Fans are eager to learn the circumstances that bring her back to the high-stress environment of the Special Victims Unit after she had seemingly found peace.

This move highlights the producers' willingness to listen to fan feedback and leverage the strong, established connections between the main characters. The reunion of Benson, Fin, Carisi, and Rollins is a powerful draw that promises to make Season 27 a must-watch television event.

Other Notable Entities and Guest Stars

The show's longevity is also maintained through its rich history of recurring characters and memorable guest stars. For Season 27, a notorious former Law & Order villain is set to return in a guest-starring role: Ethan Cutkosky. Cutkosky previously played a chilling antagonist, and his return will undoubtedly provide a high-stakes case for the team to investigate.

The topical authority of the Law & Order universe also extends to the frequent crossover events with its sister series, Law & Order: Organized Crime, starring Christopher Meloni as Detective Elliot Stabler. While not a series regular on SVU, Stabler's appearances are always a major event, and fans continue to speculate on the frequency of the "Benson and Stabler" (Bensler) dynamic in the new season.

As the SVU team embarks on its 27th season, the squad room is defined by change. The stability of Captain Benson and Sergeant Tutuola, the promotion of Detective Bruno, the emotional return of Amanda Rollins, and the surprising farewells of Velasco and Silva ensure that the series will continue its legacy of high-impact drama and compelling, character-driven storytelling.