The actress is overjoyed to be working with Giddish again.

Law & Order: SVU may have hit a few narrative speed bumps in its season 26 finale, but there is good news for long time fans as we head into the off season. Kelli Giddish, who plays beloved the detective Amanda Rollins, will be rejoining the main cast in season 27. And SVU star Mariska Hargitway couldn’t be more excited.

Hargitay, who is friends with Giddish in real life, told Deadline that she was eager to resume her onscreen dynamic with the actress in the upcoming season. “She is a formidable actress and an incredibly creative partner and has been such a joy and huge part of the fabric of SVU,” she noted. Hargitay went on to praise Giddish for creating a comfortable environment during their scenes.

Mariska Hargitay is ‘ecstatic’ over Giddish’s return

LAW & ORDER: SPECIAL VICTIMS UNIT — “Mirror Effect” Episode 24002 — Pictured: (l-r) Kelli Giddish as Det. Amanda Rollins, Mariska Hargitay as Capt. Olivia Benson — (Photo by: Zach Dilgard/NBC)

“I love her, and I love acting with her and co-creating with her, and it feels like home with her,” the SVU veteran noted. “So, I am ecstatic about her return.” The friendship between Hargitay and Giddish has been well-documented, with the former making it very clear that she was initially sad to see Giddish go in season 24.

The actress even told Variety that she tried to keep Giddish on the show, but was not able to overrule the decision made by Wolf Entertainment. “It’s a sore subject,” Hargitay stated. “I have a lot of say on the show, but I didn’t have enough there.” Giddish’s departure was partially informed by SVU‘s desire to “freshen up” the show, and partially due to contract disagreements. It seems things have changed.

Hargitay’s celebration made its way to the Law & Order Instagram account. Shortly after news of Kelli Giddish’s return was confirmed, the account posted a video of Hargitay and Giddish dancing together while on the SVU set. The video had originally been posted in November 2023. The comments were overwhelmingly positive, with fans relieved to see Rollins back in the mix in a full time capacity.

Giddish’s return will balance out SVU exits

Giddish’s return will definitely help to ease the pain of losing two detectives in SVU season 27. The show has confirmed that Detective Joe Velasco (Octavio Pisano) and Detective Kate Silva (Juliana Aiden Martinez) will not be coming back. The show even promoted Velasco in the season 26 finale, though it did little to celebrate Silva or point out that she will not be coming back.

Giddish has yet to break her silence on her return, but she did explain how much she enjoys being part of the SVU family via Instagram in 2022. She described herself as “lucky” to have played Det. Rollins for so long, and considers it to be “one of the greatest joys and privileges” of her life.

The actress also noted how the character has changed so much over the years, which we hope to see even more of come fall. We’re excited, are you?