The Unstoppable Comeback: 7 Shocking Facts About Kelli Giddish’s Return To SVU And Her Life In 2025

Kelli Giddish, the beloved actress best known for her 12-season run as Detective Amanda Rollins on *Law & Order: Special Victims Unit* (*SVU*), is officially back as a series regular for the show’s historic Season 27, a major development that has thrilled fans and dominated entertainment headlines in late 2024 and early December 2025. After a dramatic exit in Season 24 where Rollins married ADA Dominick Carisi Jr. (Peter Scanavino) and took a teaching position, her return marks a significant shift for the long-running crime drama, promising to explore the new life of Sergeant Amanda Rollins and her dynamic with Captain Olivia Benson (Mariska Hargitay).

This triumphant comeback, which began with the Season 27 premiere on September 25, 2025, solidifies Giddish’s status as a television icon. Her journey has been one of professional peaks and personal milestones, including navigating motherhood while starring on a major network show. Beyond the badge, Giddish has a rich biography and a life filled with family, previous roles, and a quiet dedication to her craft that fans are eager to know more about.

Kelli Giddish: Complete Biography and Profile

• Full Name: Kelli Marie Giddish
• Date of Birth: April 13, 1980
• Age (as of 2025): 45
• Birthplace: Cumming, Georgia, U.S.
• Nationality: American
• Education: Graduated from the University of Evansville, Indiana, with a B.A. in Theatre.
• Spouse(s): Lawrence Faulborn (m. 2015; div. 2018), Beau Richards (m. 2021)
• Children: Three sons: Ludo (with Faulborn), Charlie (with Faulborn), and Oldie (with Richards)
• Height: Approximately 5 ft 7 in (170 cm)
• Known For: Detective/Sergeant Amanda Rollins on *Law & Order: Special Victims Unit* (2011–2022; 2025–present), Annie Frost on *Chase* (2010–2011), Di Henry on *All My Children* (2005–2007).
• Estimated Net Worth: $8–$10 Million (as of 2025)

The Unprecedented Return of Amanda Rollins to SVU Season 27

The news of Kelli Giddish’s return to *Law & Order: SVU* as a series regular for Season 27 was one of the biggest television announcements of 2024. Her character, Amanda Rollins, had departed the squad room in December 2022 after marrying ADA Dominick Carisi Jr. (known to fans as "Rollisi") and accepting a position teaching forensic psychology at Fordham University.

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Rollins’s initial exit was a major blow to the show’s dedicated fanbase, which had followed her complex character arc—from a troubled detective with a gambling problem to a dedicated mother and a respected investigator. Her sporadic guest appearances in Seasons 25 and 26 only fueled the desire for a full-time comeback.

Giddish herself opened up about the decision, stating that returning to the show in 2025 "feels right." The actress expressed excitement about exploring new facets of Rollins's life now that she holds the rank of Sergeant and is navigating her personal life as a married woman with a new baby (on-screen, her character welcomed her third child, Oldie, mirroring Giddish's real-life pregnancy). This new chapter allows the show to delve into the challenges of balancing a high-stress police career with family life.

Kelli Giddish’s Life as a Mother and Her Powerful Stance on Filming While Pregnant

One of the most admired aspects of Kelli Giddish’s tenure on *SVU* is her commitment to normalizing motherhood on screen. Giddish gave birth to three sons—Ludo, Charlie, and Oldie—and notably, the show wrote two of her pregnancies into Rollins's storyline. She used her platform to speak candidly about the experience of filming a high-octane crime drama while pregnant.

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The "180-Pound Act of Love"

Giddish famously discussed the "love and support" she felt from the cast and crew while filming at her heaviest weight, stating, "It didn’t matter that I was weighing 180 pounds on a national TV show on network TV." This powerful statement resonated with women everywhere, challenging the unrealistic beauty standards often imposed on actresses. Her willingness to showcase a real, pregnant, and postpartum body on screen was an act of transparency that earned her widespread praise.

Her family life is a central focus. She shares her two older sons, Ludo and Charlie, with her first husband, Lawrence Faulborn, whom she married in 2015 and divorced in 2018. She later married her second husband, Beau Richards, in 2021, and they welcomed their son, Oldie, together. Her husband, Beau Richards, has been described as her "light," and the family often enjoys the simple country joys of life outside the spotlight, a contrast to the intensity of her on-screen role.

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Beyond SVU: Kelli Giddish’s Career Milestones and Other Roles

While Detective Amanda Rollins is her most iconic role, Kelli Giddish’s career spans over two decades, showcasing her versatility across various genres, including soap operas, stage, and film. Her early career provided the foundation for her success in the *Law & Order* universe.

• Early Soap Opera Success: Giddish first gained national recognition as Di Henry on the classic daytime drama *All My Children* from 2005 to 2007. This role served as her major television debut after graduating from the University of Evansville.
• The Action Lead: In 2010, she landed the lead role of U.S. Marshal Annie Frost in the NBC police procedural *Chase*. The show, though short-lived, demonstrated her ability to carry a series and perform in high-stakes action roles, which directly paved the way for her casting in *SVU*.
• Guest Roles and Other Dramas: Before *SVU*, she guest-starred on several other major crime dramas, including *Law & Order: Criminal Intent* and *Without a Trace*. Her film credits include the 2008 film *The Understudy* and the 2012 thriller *Breathless*.
• The Law & Order Universe: Her connection to the franchise is deep, having appeared in a 2007 episode of *Law & Order: Criminal Intent* before joining *SVU* in 2011. Her character, Rollins, has also crossed over into *Law & Order: Organized Crime*, further cementing her role as a key figure in the Dick Wolf universe.

Kelli Giddish’s return to *Law & Order: SVU* in 2025 is more than just a casting decision; it’s a narrative continuation that fans have been demanding. As Sergeant Amanda Rollins, she is set to tackle a new balance of professional and personal challenges, ensuring that her presence remains one of the most compelling reasons to tune into the enduring series. Her career, marked by dedication and a refreshing honesty about her life as a working mother, continues to inspire and captivate audiences worldwide.