‘Law and Order: SVU’ Season 27: Release Date and Cast

The long life of Law & Order: Special Victims Unit continues with season 27.

The NBC crime procedural ended its 26th season in May 2025, but Captain Olivia Benson (Mariska Hargitay) is preparing for more action on the streets of New York City as Law & Order: SVU returns for another milestone installment.

The season 26 finale, “Post-Rage,” had Benson and her SVU squad on the trail of a vicious attacker who was targeting female psychiatrists. As if that wasn’t enough, the team lost a couple of members when the series said goodbye to two cast members.

That said, nearly three decades into its run, Law & Order: SVU is still surprising its fans and actors, as series star Ice-T revealed in an August 2025 interview with Entertainment Weekly.

“I show up this season in the first episode. I get my ass beaten and end up in the hospital. So I’m like, what the f— is going on?” the rapper said. “We’re excited, and we’re off to a good start.”

Here’s everything to know about Law & Order: SVU season 27, including the release date, cast and where to watch.

Will there be a Law & Order: SVU season 27?

Yes, NBC announced in May 2025 that Law & Order: SVU was renewed for season 27.

The network also confirmed that the original Law & Order series would return for a 25th season.

After Law & Order: SVU showrunner David Graziano, Michele Fazekas was tapped to step into the role, making her the first female in the top position in the show’s history, according to Variety.

When is Law & Order: SVU coming back with season 27?

Law & Order: SVU season 27 premieres Sept. 25 at 9 p.m. ET.

The new episodes of the flagship Law & Order will also debut on Sept. 25 at 8 p.m. ET, serving as the lead-in to SVU.

Who is in the Law & Order: SVU season 27 cast?

The Law & Order: SVU crew is getting back together for season 27 — mostly.

Hargitay is returning as Captain Olivia Benson, continuing to break records as the “longest-running primetime drama character in television history,” per NBC. Ice-T, who plays Sergeant Odafin “Fin” Tutuola, will also be back.

In season 13, Kelli Giddish joined the ensemble as Detective Amanda Rollins, before leaving in season 24. Afterward, she made guest appearances but will return as a series regular for season 27, per Entertainment Weekly.

Another returning cast member is Peter Scanavino, who plays Assistant District Attorney Dominick “Sonny” Carisi Jr. Meanwhile, Kevin Kane will be back as Detective Terry Bruno and Aimé Donna Kelly as Captain Renee Curry — the latter was bumped up to a series regular for the new season, per Deadline.

Two actors who will not be returning as permanent cast members are Octavio Pisano and Juliana Martinez, who played Detective Joe Velasco and Junior detective Kate Silva, respectively. Deadline reported the news of their exit in May 2025, noting that it was unclear if the decision was “for creative or financial reasons.”

According to E! News, Pisano will appear in the season 27 premiere to wrap up his character’s storyline.

Will Christopher Meloni make an appearance on Law & Order: SVU season 27?

Yes, Christopher Meloni is expected to reprise his role as Detective 1st Grade Elliot Stabler on the upcoming season of Law & Order: SVU.

In August 2025, photos were snapped of Hargitay and Meloni filming scenes together. Shortly after, Meloni shared pictures on Instagram showing him on set with his former SVU costars Hargitay and Dann Florek, who portrayed Captain Donald Cragen in the Law & Order sphere.

“Hangin with friends on a Friday nite,” Meloni wrote in the caption.

Meloni left Law & Order: SVU in 2011 after season 12. He has made multiple guest appearances on the series in recent years, in addition to starring on Law & Order: Organized Crime, which is currently awaiting a season 6 renewal.

Where can I watch Law & Order: SVU season 27?

Law & Order: SVU airs on NBC and is available to stream on Peacock the next day.

All 26 previous seasons of the drama are also available on the streaming platform.