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Law & Order: SVU went through some cast changes — but what does that mean for season 28?
The series, which premiered in 1999, follows detectives from the NYPD’s Special Victims Unit as they investigate and prosecute various degrees of sex crimes. The legal drama stars Mariska Hargitay, Ice T, Peter Scanavino and more —- though it has faced multiple character exits throughout the years.
Before NBC renewed Law & Order: SVU for season 27, multiple outlets confirmed in May 2025 that Octavio Pisano and Juliana Martinez, who portray Detective Joe Velasco and Detective Kate Silva, respectively, were leaving at the end of the current season after Michele Fazekas was announced as the series’ first female showrunner.
Kelli Giddish‘s Amanda Rollins, meanwhile, officially returned to SVU in season 27 after she departed in the middle of season 24 in 2022 following more than a decade on the show. She was a guest star in various episodes throughout seasons 25 and 26 before being confirmed as a series regular.
Giddish isn’t the only one whose role on the show has changed. Keep scrolling to see who is — and isn’t — returning for season 28:
Mariska Hargitay
There would be no SVU without Hargitay’s Olivia Benson.
Ice-T
Ice-T confirmed that his character, Fin, would be in all episodes during season 28 after going through reduced screen time one year prior.
Chris Meloni
With Meloni’s spinoff coming to an end, the hope is that Stabler would return.
Peter Scanavino
Scanavino’s Carisi is a fan favorite so his future is secure on Law & Order: SVU.
Octavio Pisano
Pisano isn’t expected to appear as much after exiting the show.
It is never easy to unexpectedly say goodbye to your favorite characters — and 2026 has featured an influx of shocking departures on our TV screens from Grey’s Anatomy to Virgin River. Virgin River fans were surprised when showrunner Patrick Sean Smith confirmed multiple characters were written off the show after season 7. Marco Grazzini addressed […]
Kevin Kane
Kane will also presumably return to the show.
Aimé Donna Kelly
After being promoted, Kelly is expected back as Captain Renee Curry.
Kelli Giddish
Giddish’s Rollins is back and better than ever on Law & Order: SVU.
Corey Cott
Cott has been more front and center as Detective Jake Griffin after being promoted on the show.
