NBC

Kelli Giddish set to return as a series regular for 'Law & Order: Special Victims Unit' season 27

By Sophia Soto | Last updated May 15, 2025 6:40 PM ET

Fans were heartbroken when it was announced that after 12 years, Kelli Giddish was leaving Law & Order: Special Victims Unit in season 24, and while she has occasionally reprised her role as a guest star, it just wasn't the same. Her absence continued to be felt as the show continued, and no one was able to replace her.

It was recently revealed that season 27 was going to be down two members of the squad, Octavio Pisano and Juliana Martinez, who played Detective Joe Velasco and Detective Kate Silva. So it is a relief to know we are gaining a fan favorite back for the upcoming season, which will have the first female showrunner in the crime drama's history, Michele Fazekas.

Created by Dick Wolf, Law & Order: Special Victims Unit is the longest-running live-action primetime series in the history of American TV. Mariska Hargitay executive produces and stars as Captain Olivia Benson, the longest-running female character in a primetime live-action television series.

Ice-T, Peter Scanavino, and Kevin Kane complete the cast.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Law & Order (@nbclawandorder)

When sharing the news of her exit on social media, the actress wrote, "Playing Rollins has been one of the greatest joys and privileges of my life. I’ve been so fortunate to be a part of the Law & Order family for the last 12 years. There is simply no other character on TV like Rollins. She’s grown and changed, and I have as well. I started on this show when I was in my late 20s and I’m grateful I got to spend so many of my adult years with Rollins in my life."

SVU follows the lives of the Special Victims Unit of the New York City Police Department, an elite squad of detectives who investigate crimes of sexual assault, child abuse, and domestic violence. 

The season 26 finale premieres tonight at 9 PM ET on NBC and stream on Peacock.

Sophia Soto

Sophia Soto is a writer and interviewer with a passion for all things entertainment. She is a Senior Reporter at The Nerds of Color and contributes to Yardbarker, Screensphere, Den of Geek, What to Watch, Nerdtropolis, and Temple of Geek. You can see her past work on Remezcla, Young Hollywood, Looper, Paste Magazine, Primetimer, Soundsphere, and Starry Constellation Magazine

More must-reads: