Eagle-eyed fans may remember Detective Dave Duethorn, a former ally of the main SVU squad.Boasting a multi-decade career in entertainment, actor Erik Palladino has starred in dozens of high-stakes TV dramas, and he’s bringing his talents to Season 26 of Law & Order: Special Victims Unit.

A Former Law & Order: SVU Detective Just Returned to the Show in a New Role

Palladino is a longtime friend of the Law & Order franchise; he previously appeared in Season 4 of SVU as a detective working a case with Olivia Benson (Mariska Hargitay) and the squad. Applauded far and wide for his role as Dr. Dave Malucci from NBC’s ER, Palladino has built a hefty resume in television and film. Aside from his tenure on ER, Palladino has appeared on hit show like Suits, NCIS: Los Angeles, The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, and Criminal Minds, to name a few. Some of Palladino’s notable film projects include 2001’s U-571 and Latter Days (2003).In honor of Palladino’s guest appearance on SVU Season 26, Episode 18 (“The Accuser”), we’re reflecting on his former experience with Benson’s squad and some of his other iconic roles.

Who did Erik Palladino first play on Law & Order: SVU?

Palladino previously appeared on SVU as Detective Dave Duethorn, a rookie investigator who brushed shoulders with Benson in Season 4, Episode 11 (“Damaged”) and Episode 20 (“Dominance”). Dave scored his promotion thanks to his connections to the NYPD Deputy Commissioner, eventually landing him in the Queens Homicide Unit.
Why Palladino’s Detective Duethorn teamed up with the SVU

Detective Deuthorn (Erik Palladino) presses Billy Baker (Jason Ritter) against a car while holding a gun to his forehead on Law & Order: SVU Episode 420.

Detective Deuthorn (Erik Palladino) and Billy Baker (Jason Ritter) appear on Law & Order: Special Victims Unit Season 4 Episode 20 “Dominance”. Photo: Will Hart/NBC/NBCU Photo Bank

The first time Dave worked with Benson was in “Damaged” after a Bronx shooting was revealed to be a cover-up for a sexual assault. Dave, along with the SVU detectives, worked tirelessly to prove the conspiracy and revealed that numerous perpetrators orchestrated the murder. That wasn’t the last time Dave would work with the Manhattan SVU, either.Detective Duethorn returned in “Dominance” after he called upon Odafin Tutuola (Ice T) and Elliot Stabler (Chris Meloni) for backup on a quadruple rape homicide. After the detectives pounded the pavement, Detective Duethorn impressively deduced that they were actually looking for two assailants, raising the stakes. The cops then wasted no time tracking them down and swiftly delivering justice.