The upcoming season of Law & Order: Special Victims Unit is expected to include the return of two fan-favorite cast members, suggesting that NBC is taking viewers’ preferences into account for the 2025-26 season. The long-running crime procedural show premiered in 1999, focusing on the investigations of the NYPD’s Special Victims Unit.

Over the years, the show has garnered a devoted fan base that appreciates its realistic and emotionally compelling storytelling. With high ratings on IMDB, the NBC show has established itself as one of the top shows in its genre. Law & Order: Special Victims Unit season 26 wrapped up in May 2025, and season 27 is scheduled to premiere later this year.

NBC wasted no time in renewing Law & Order: Special Victims Unit for another season following the success of its previous season. According to recent reports, the latest installment of the show is set to premiere in late September or early October of this year.

The season is expected to comprise between 21 and 24 episodes and will feature some key changes, including showrunner David Graziano stepping down and Michele Fazekas taking over. There will also be new producers added to the team along with returning cast members. The upcoming season is highly anticipated and expected to be the most exciting in the franchise’s history for these valid reasons.

Kelli Giddish Is Returning To SVU As Amanda Rollins

Kelli Is Expected To Appear On The Show Regularly

image of Ice-T and Kelli Giddish on Law & Order: SVU both looking shocked
NBC has confirmed that Law & Order: Special Victims Unit season 27 will feature Kelli Giddish. She’ll rejoin the show, playing the iconic role of Sgt. Amanda Rollins from season 13. Viewers last saw Rollins back in season 24, with only a few guest appearances in the following seasons.

Therefore, it’ll be a significant change for the show to bring her back as a full-time cast member, working alongside Captain Olivia Benson. In Law & Order: Special Victims Unit season 27, Rollins will lead the Intelligence Unit and will often team up with Benson’s squad.

Octavio Pisano’s Joe Velasco Will Also Be In The Season 27 Premiere

Mariska Hargitay’s Video Confirms Octavio’s Return

Recently, Mariska Hargitay posted a fun video on Instagram, giving viewers a glimpse of what’s happening behind the scenes. The video featured Octavio Pisano in the background, confirming that he will also be in the new season.

Octavio originally joined the show in season 23 as Detective Joe Velasco. NBC later announced that he would be leaving after season 26. However, it appears that Octavio will be returning to reprise his role in Law & Order: SVU season 27, suggesting that he may receive an appropriate send-off.

Fan Backlash To These Cast Departures Has Been Strong Over The Past Few Years

Criticism From Fans Likely Prompted These New Changes In The Show

It’s truly impressive to see the network making thoughtful choices by bringing back cast members, rather than abandoning their individual storylines with inadequate conclusions. Over the years, viewers have been vocal about their dissatisfaction, particularly after the departures of several fan-favorite cast members.

In a Reddit post from a few years ago by @91837361891, fans expressed their disappointment over Katriona “Kat” Tamin’s exit, emphasizing how “Losing Kat, Garland, and now Rollins in consecutive seasons is a huge blow.” Similarly, in another Reddit thread by @feminist-lady, some viewers also voiced their concerns about the treatment of Jamie Gray Hyder, Molly Burnett, Jasmine Batchelor, Juliana Martinez, and Octavio, stating that they all “deserve better.”

The network’s recent decisions suggest that they are now attentive to fans’ demands. Giddish’s comeback as Rollins is expected to attract a large audience and reassure others that the show is heading in the right direction. Joe Velasco’s return in Law & Order: SVU season 27, along with a potential farewell, will also help strengthen trust between the network and its fan base.

Overall, it appears that the backlash from fans has been helpful. Hopefully, NBC will continue to make sound decisions, starting with Law & Order: SVU season 27, allowing them to grow the franchise and increase its success.