Law & Order: Special Victims Unit season 27

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Law & Order: Special Victims Unit
Season 27
Law & Order Special Victims Unit (season 27 poster).png
Promotional poster via Peacock
Showrunner Michele Fazekas
Starring
No. of episodes4
Release
Original network NBC
Original releaseSeptember 25, 2025 (2025-09-25) –
present
Season chronology
← Previous
Season 26
List of episodes

The twenty-seventh season of American police procedural crime drama Law & Order: Special Victims Unit premiered on NBC on September 25, 2025. The season is produced by Wolf Entertainment, in conjunction with Universal Television.

Michele Fazekas serves as showrunner, following the departure of David Graziano. Mariska Hargitay, Ice-T, Peter Scanavino, and Kevin Kane reprise their roles as Captain Olivia Benson, Sergeant Odafin "Fin" Tutuola, Assistant District Attorney Dominick "Sonny" Carisi, Jr., and Detective Terry Bruno, respectively. Kelli Giddish, who had been making guest appearances following her departure during the twenty-fourth season, returned in a regular capacity as Sergeant Amanda Rollins, while Octavio Pisano reprised his role as Detective Joe Velasco, retaining his series regular status. Additionally, Aimé Donna Kelly, who previously recurred as Captain Renee Curry, was promoted to series regular.

Production

Development

David Graziano Headshot.jpg
Norberto Barba by Gage Skidmore.jpg
David Graziano (left) and Norberto Barba (right) vacated their roles as showrunner and executive producer, respectively, ahead of season 27.

Law & Order: Special Victims Unit was renewed for a twenty-seventh season on May 8, 2025. [1] [2] [3] That July, NBC announced the season would premiere on September 25, 2025. [4] [5]

Following David Graziano's departure at the conclusion of the twenty-sixth season, Michele Fazekas was named as his successor as showrunner; this made her the first woman to hold the position in the series' history. [6] She previous acted as a writer-producer from the third to seventh seasons. [7] Norberto Barba and Julie Martin exited as executive producers, [8] while Brenna Malloy was subsequently named as an executive producer and directing producer for the season. [9]

Speaking on becoming the series' first female showrunner, Fazekas described it as "crazy, in a way, that after 26 years on the air that [a female showrunner] didn't happen. Although not, I guess, totally surprising." She further cited Mariska Hargitay as reason for her decision to accept the position, [10] and revealed her intentions to change things about the series, in an effort to freshen up the series, while keeping with its roots. [11]

Casting

Season twenty-six cast members Hargitay (Captain Olivia Benson), Ice-T as (Odafin "Fin" Tutuola), Peter Scanavino (Assistant District Attorney Dominick "Sonny" Carisi, Jr.), and Kevin Kane (Detective Terry Bruno) returned to the show for the twenty-seventh season. In May 2025, ahead of the season twenty-six finale, it was revealed Juliana Aidén Martinez (Junior Detective Kate Silva) and Octavio Pisano (Detective Joe Velasco) would depart the series. [12] That same month, Kelli Giddish's return as a series regular was announced. [13] [14] Two months later, it was reported that Aimé Donna Kelly, who previously joined the series in the recurring role of Captain Renee Curry during the twenty-second season, had been promoted to series regular. [15] Pisano was later announced to have reprised his role, [9] beginning with the season's premiere episode. [16] He departed at the conclusion of the third episode. [17]

Cast and characters

Main

Guest stars

Christopher Meloni (pictured) reprised his role as Detective Elliot Stabler during the season's premiere episode. ChristopherMeloni-byPhilipRomano.jpg
Christopher Meloni (pictured) reprised his role as Detective Elliot Stabler during the season's premiere episode.

In early August 2025, NBC announced former cast members Dean Winters, BD Wong and Dann Florek would make guest appearances as former Detective Brian Cassidy, former FBI Agent George Huang and former Captain Donald Cragen, respectively. [18] Christopher Meloni (Det. Elliot Stabler) made an appearance during the season's premiere episode. [19] Tony Goldwyn, who stars on the flagship series as District Attorney Nicholas Baxter, will appear in several episodes throughout the season. [20]

In addition to the guest appearances by former cast members, early episodes will see Corey Cott, Molly Griggs, and Michael Cassidy who are set to guest star. This will make Cott's second appearance on Special Victims Unit; he previously appeared during the eighteenth season, where he portrayed Ellis Griffin, the suspect of the sexual assault on an unconscious girl. [21] On September 11, 2025, it was announced former Chicago Med actress, Norma Kuhling, would appear during the season in a recurring role. [22]

Episodes

Law & Order: Special Victims Unit season 27 episodes
No.
overall		No. in
season		Title  [23] [24] Directed byWritten byOriginal release date  [23] [24] Prod.
code		U.S. viewers
(millions)
5741"In the Wind"Brenna Malloy Michele Fazekas September 25, 2025 (2025-09-25)27013.83 [25]
Olivia Benson is reunited with George Huang and Brian Cassidy at a memorial for Donald Cragen. While off-duty, Fin is attacked while trying to stop an assault. The squad tries to protect their key witness to a rape trial, while Olivia is tested by the presence of the newly-installed chief of detectives.
5752"A Waiver of Consent" Juan José Campanella Kevin J. HynesOctober 2, 2025 (2025-10-02)27023.89 [26]

The SVU investigates an assault of a club member.

  • The episode features two different endings. [27] During the broadcast edit, after speaking with Jake, Olivia is approached by Terry, who tells her Elliot is in the hospital, as a transition to the subsequent airing of Law & Order: Organized Crime . In the Peacock release, after speaking with Benson, Griff arrives at an undisclosed location, where Kathryn is expecting him. [28] [29]
5763"A Vicious Circle"Oscar René Lozoya IIBrant EnglesteinOctober 9, 2025 (2025-10-09)27033.06 [30]
5774"Clickbait" Norberto Barba Kevin DeiboldtOctober 16, 2025 (2025-10-16)2704TBD
5785"Feed the Craving" [24] TBATBAOctober 23, 2025 (2025-10-23)2705TBD
5796"Under the Influence" [23] TBATBAOctober 30, 2025 (2025-10-30)2706TBD
5807"False Idols" [23] TBATBANovember 17, 2025 (2025-11-17)2707TBD

Reception

Ratings

Viewership and ratings per episode of Law & Order: Special Victims Unit season 27 ratings
No.TitleAir date Rating/share
(18–49)		Viewers
(millions)		DVR
(18–49)		DVR viewers
(millions)		Total
(18–49)		Total viewers
(millions)		Ref.
1"In the Wind"September 25, 2025 (2025-09-25)0.3/33.83———— [25]
2"A Waiver of Consent"October 2, 2025 (2025-10-02)0.3/33.89———— [26]
3"A Vicious Circle"October 9, 2025 (2025-10-09)0.2/23.06———— [30]

Political response

The season's premiere episode drew criticism from several members of the Conservative Party and media following the depiction of agents from the United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). In review for Media Research Center's NewsBusters, Elise Ehrhard noted the depiction of ICE agents as "cold-hearted villains" who had hindered SVU's investigation in a rape case. She further condemned Hollywood for fueling the flames of the attacks against ICE agents and facilities, calling it "irresponsible". [31] Katie Miller further accused the series for being responsible for the ongoing attacks following the episode's premiere. The Daily Beast noted comparison to Hargitay's character arresting a key witness in a rape investigation to the real-life arrest of Kilmar Abrego Garcia in March 2025. [32] Megyn Kelly also found issue with the episode's depiction of ICE agents, calling it "propaganda". [33]

The Trump Administration felt the series villainized ICE. In a statement to Fox News ' digital agency, U.S. Department of Homeland Security's assistant secretary Tricia McLaughlin said: "Not even a week ago, Our ICE law enforcement was shot up by a deranged lunatic who wanted to terrorize ICE and not even a week later Law and Order: SVU's releases an episode that further villainize our brave ICE law enforcement. NBC and Hollywood elites must stop fanning the flames of division. Our ICE law enforcement work night and day to protect Americans, including by removing rapists and child molesters from America's streets. Our officers are facing a more than 1000% increase in assaults against them. This is irresponsible and pathetic." [34]

Notes

  1. ↑ Pisano appeared as a series regular for the first three episodes. [11]

References

  1. ↑ Sederstrom, Jill (May 8, 2025). "Both Law & Order and Special Victims Unit renewed for 2025–2026 season by NBC". United States: NBCUniversal Media. NBC Insider. Archived from the original on May 8, 2025. Retrieved May 8, 2025.
  2. ↑ Otterson, Joe (May 8, 2025). "Law & Order, Law & Order: SVU renewed at NBC". Variety . United States: Penske Media Corporation. ISSN   0042-2738. OCLC   60626328. Archived from the original on May 8, 2025. Retrieved May 8, 2025.
  3. ↑ Andreeva, Nellie (May 8, 2025). "Law & Order: SVU and Law & Order renewed for 2025–2026 after combined 50 seasons on NBC". Deadline Hollywood . United States: Penske Media Corporation. Archived from the original on May 8, 2025. Retrieved May 8, 2025.
  4. ↑ Kimont, Kaitlin (July 28, 2025). "The premiere xates for NBC's fall 2025 shows, NBA on NBC, and Sunday night football". United States: NBC. NBC News. Archived from the original on September 26, 2025. Retrieved September 25, 2025.
  5. ↑ "NBC sets fall premiere dates for 2025–2026 season" (Press release). NBCUniversal Media. September 16, 2025. Archived from the original on September 26, 2025. Retrieved October 23, 2024.
  6. ↑ Otterson, Joe (April 1, 2025). "Law and Order: SVU names Michele Fazekas first female showrunner in series history". Variety . United States: Penske Media Corporation. ISSN   0042-2738. OCLC   60626328. Archived from the original on September 26, 2025. Retrieved September 25, 2025.
  7. ↑ Andreeva, Nellie (April 1, 2025). "Law & Order: SVU makes history, naming Michele Fazekas showrunner as NBC drama eyes season 27". Deadline Hollywood . United States: Penske Media Corporation. Archived from the original on September 26, 2025. Retrieved September 25, 2025.
  8. ↑ Andreeva, Nellie (May 13, 2025). "Law & Order: SVU: two executive producers leaving ahead of season 27". Deadline Hollywood . United States: Penske Media Corporation. Archived from the original on May 13, 2025. Retrieved September 25, 2025.
  9. 1 2 Roffman, Marisa (July 31, 2025). "Law & Order: Special Victims Unit exclusive: Octavio Pisano's season 27 return extended". United States: Give Me My Remote. Archived from the original on September 26, 2025. Retrieved September 25, 2025.
  10. ↑ Ross, Alex; Vinson, Nathan (September 24, 2025). "Law & Order: SVU season 27 will challenge Olivia Benson in ways 'she hasn't had in a while,' says showrunner (exclusive)". People . United States. ISSN   0093-7673. OCLC   794712888. Archived from the original on September 26, 2025. Retrieved September 25, 2025.
  11. 1 2 Chung, Gabrielle (September 24, 2025). "Law & Order: SVU showrunner reveals major storyline change for Olivia Benson in season 27". E! News . United States: NBCUniversal. Archived from the original on September 26, 2025. Retrieved September 25, 2025.
  12. ↑ Rice, Rosy Cordero,Lynette (May 6, 2025). "Law & Order: SVU: Juliana Martinez and Octavio Pisano leaving after season 26". Deadline Hollywood . United States: Penske Media Corporation. Archived from the original on May 7, 2025. Retrieved May 8, 2025.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  13. ↑ Andreeva, Nellie (May 15, 2025). "Rollins Returns: Kelli Giddish rejoins Law & Order: SVU as series regular for Season 27". Deadline Hollywood . United States: Penske Media Corporation. Archived from the original on May 15, 2025. Retrieved May 15, 2025.
  14. ↑ Roots, Kimberly (May 15, 2025). "Law & Order: SVU is bringing Kelli Giddish back as a series regular". TVLine . United States. Archived from the original on May 15, 2025. Retrieved May 15, 2025.
  15. ↑ "Aimé Donna Kelly upped to series regular on Law & Order: SVU — as another SVU detective departs". United States: Blex Media. July 18, 2025. Archived from the original on July 25, 2025. Retrieved July 24, 2025.
  16. ↑ Roots, Kimberly (July 24, 2025). "Surprise! Law & Order: SVU's Octavio Pisano to return in season 27 premiere". TVLine . United States. Archived from the original on July 24, 2025. Retrieved July 24, 2025.
  17. ↑ Roots, Kimberly; Schwartz, Ryan (October 9, 2025). "Law & Order: SVU just said goodbye to Velasco — Here's how he was written off". United States: TVLine. Archived from the original on October 10, 2025. Retrieved October 9, 2025.
  18. ↑ Nemetz, Dave (August 2, 2025). "Law & Order: SVU: Chris Meloni confirms he'll guest-star as Stabler in season 27". TVLine . United States. Archived from the original on September 26, 2025. Retrieved August 3, 2025.
  19. ↑ Moore, Julia. "Christopher Meloni makes surprise return to Law and Order: SVUset filming with Mariska Hargitay and Dann Florek". People . United States. ISSN   0093-7673. OCLC   794712888. Archived from the original on September 26, 2025. Retrieved September 25, 2025.
  20. ↑ Roffman, Marisa (September 5, 2025). "Law & Order: Special Victims Unit: Law & Order's Tony Goldwyn to guest star in season 27". United States: Give Me My Remote. Archived from the original on September 10, 2025. Retrieved September 25, 2025.
  21. ↑ Roffman, Marisa (August 19, 2025). "LLaw & Order: Special Victims Unit adds Corey Cott, Molly Griggs, and Michael Cassidy to season 27". United States: Give Me My Remote. Archived from the original on September 10, 2025. Retrieved September 25, 2025.
  22. ↑ Roffman, Marisa (September 11, 2025). "Law & Order: Special Victims Unit: Chicago Med's Norma Kuhling to recur". United States: Give Me My Remote. Archived from the original on September 26, 2025. Retrieved September 25, 2025.
  23. 1 2 3 4 "Law & Order: Special Victims Unit: Season 27". Rotten Tomatoes . United States: Fandango Media . Retrieved October 15, 2025.
  24. 1 2 3 "Shows A–Z — Law & Order: Special Victims Unit on NBC". The Futon Critic . United States. Retrieved October 15, 2025.
  25. 1 2 Pucci, Douglas (September 29, 2025). "Thursday ratings: Law & Order: SVU begins season 27 on NBC". United States: Programming Insider. Archived from the original on September 30, 2025. Retrieved September 29, 2025.
  26. 1 2 Pucci, Douglas (October 6, 2025). "Thursday ratings: Red Sox-Yankees deciding playoff game delivers largest ESPN MLB Audience in four years". United States: Programming Insider. Archived from the original on October 7, 2025. Retrieved October 6, 2025.
  27. ↑ Jacobs, Meredith (October 4, 2025). "SVU season 27 episode 2 alternate ending sets up Arc for Benson and Griffin — is it what it seems?". TV Insider . United States. Archived from the original on October 5, 2025. Retrieved October 4, 2025.
  28. ↑ Roots, Kimberly (October 3, 2025). "Last night's SVU had two different endings, depending on where you watched it". TVLine . United States. Archived from the original on October 4, 2025. Retrieved October 3, 2025.
  29. ↑ Stenzel, Wesley (October 3, 2025). "Law & Order: SVU airs alternate endings on different platforms: Here's what you missed". Entertainment Weekly . United States. ISSN   1049-0434. OCLC   21114137. Archived from the original on October 6, 2025. Retrieved October 6, 2025.
  30. 1 2 Pucci, Douglas (October 10, 2025). "Thursday ratings: 9-1-1: Nashville on ABC has okay debut". United States: Programming Insider. Archived from the original on October 15, 2025. Retrieved October 14, 2025.
  31. ↑ Ehrhard, Elise (September 27, 2025). "NBC's Law & Order: SVU portrays ICE agents as villains allowing rape". United States: Newsbusters. Archived from the original on October 4, 2025. Retrieved October 3, 2025.
  32. ↑ Brancolini, Janna (September 29, 2025). "Stephen Miller's wife melts down over portrayal of ICE in Law & Order: SVU". The Daily Beast . United States. Archived from the original on October 1, 2025. Retrieved October 3, 2025.
  33. ↑ Cartwright, Megan (October 1, 2025). "Law & Order SVU episode sparks MAGA fury". Newsweek . United States. ISSN   0028-9604. OCLC   818916146. Archived from the original on October 4, 2025. Retrieved October 3, 2025.
  34. ↑ Kornick, Lindsay (September 29, 2025). "Law & Order: SVU features ICE agents obstructing rape case by attempting to arrest witness". United States. Fox News. Archived from the original on October 4, 2025. Retrieved October 3, 2025.
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