The cast of ‘Law & Order: SVU’: Ice-T, Kelli Giddish, Mariska Hargitay and Peter Scanavino.Photo: Virginia Sherwood/NBC
Law & Order: SVUis one of thelongest-running primetime television showsin history, at 25 seasons and counting.
Since the show’s debut in 1999, numerous celebrities have guest-starred on the procedural drama, which follows the New York Police Department’s Special Victims Unit as they work to solve sex crimes.
Actors includingRobin Williams,Bradley Cooper,Martin Short,Alec Baldwin,Hilary Duff— and dozens of others — have all appeared in episodes ofSVU. But it’s the show’s core cast of detectives, prosecutors and crime fighters that have made the show a success over the past two-plus decades.
Law & Order: SVUreturned with new episodes in January 2024, with Hargitay still at the helm of the cast — and the occasionalguest appearance from Meloni, who now stars in his ownLaw & Orderspinoff,Law & Order: Organized Crime.
“Even if I had been wildly, recklessly optimistic about the future,I couldn’t have ever dreamedthat we’d be here in this moment in television history,” Hargitay told PEOPLE about the show.
In honor of its landmark 25th season, here’s a look at theLaw & Order SVUcast — past and present.
Mariska Hargitay as Olivia Benson
Mariska Hargitay as Olivia Benson on ‘Law & Order: SVU.’ ; Mariska Hargitay attends the 2023 Stuttering Association For The Young (SAY) Benefit Gala at The Edison Ballroom on May 22, 2023 in New York City.Virginia Sherwood/NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal/Getty ; Jamie McCarthy/Getty
Virginia Sherwood/NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal/Getty ; Jamie McCarthy/Getty
Mariska Hargitay’s name is practically synonymous with Olivia Benson, theLaw & Order: SVUcharacter she’s played since 1999 — the longest-running primetime drama character in television history.
Hargitay studied acting at UCLA before landing her first movie role in 1985’sGhoulies. Her first television job came a year later, on the seriesDowntown. She went on to appear on shows includingER,BaywatchandSeinfeldin the 1990s — but her breakout role came in 1999 when she earned the role of Detective Olivia Benson on NBC’s latestLaw & Orderspinoff.
“I fell so in love with her and so in love with the idea of this show, as progressive as it was at the time, and telling these kinds of stories,” she toldThe New York Times.
Hargitay’s portrayal of Benson, who has been captain of Manhattan’s Special Victims Unit on the procedural crime drama since the 21st season, has solved hundreds of fictional sex crimes over the past two decades — and become a beacon of hope for sexual assault victims in the process.
The character inspired Hargitay to become an advocate for victims in real life: She is trained as a rape counselor, launched theJoyful Heart Foundationin 2004 to support survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault and partnered with Michigan prosecutor and rape activist Kym Worthy to tackle the staggering number ofuntested rape kitsin the U.S.
In 2018, Hargitay produced an award-winning HBO documentary calledI Am Evidenceabout her work with Worthy. “People used to call me the accidental activist. I didn’t take this job onSVUto do this work,” Hargitay told PEOPLE in 2020. “But I thinkI was meant to do this.”
Her work onSVU— which has earned her both a Golden Globe and an Emmy Award — also introduced her to her husband of 19 years,Peter Hermann. The pair first met in 2002 after Hermann had a guest role onSVUin season 3 as defense attorney Trevor Langan and were married two years later. The couple are parents tothree children: August, Amaya and Andrew.
“Thank you … to August and to Amaya and to Andrew,” Hargitay said whenaccepting her staron the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 2013. “I know one day you will grow into an understanding of how brightly the three of you shine into me and daddy’s life. And to Peter, you’re too good to be true.”
Christopher Meloni as Elliot Stabler
Meloni’s big break came in 1996 when he was cast in the thriller filmBound. He followed that up with a brief run onNYPD Blueas criminal Jimmy Liery before playing serial killer Chris Keller on the HBO seriesOzfrom 1998 to 2003. Shortly after landing the role onOz, Meloni was cast as Stabler onSVU— a role he continued to play for 12 years before abruptly leaving the show in 2011over contract disagreements.
Meloni’s exit fromSVUcrushed fans and Hargitay, whowas “devastated”over his departure from the show. “I was just so sad, because we started this thing and built it together,” she told PEOPLE.
But in 2021 — after a decade apart — Hargitay and Meloni reunited on-screen as Benson and Stablerin a crossover eventbetweenLaw & Order: SVUand Meloni’s spinoff,Law & Order: Organized Crime. Their beloved characters have continued to show up on each other’s shows, with the former police partnersalmost sharing a much-anticipated kissin season 24 ofSVU.
For Meloni, returning to theLaw & Orderfranchise and appearing alongside his longtime friend Hargitay has been a “dream come true.”
In his personal life, Meloni has beenmarried to artist Sherman Williamssince 1995. The couple share two kids together: Sophia and Dante.
Ice-T as Fin Tutuola
Ice-T as Fin on ‘Law & Order: SVU.’ ; Ice-T poses backstage at ‘The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon’ in New York City on March 1, 2023.Eric Liebowitz/NBC ; Todd Owyoung/NBC/Getty
Eric Liebowitz/NBC ; Todd Owyoung/NBC/Getty
Ice-T has been playing Sergeant Odafin “Fin” Tutuola onLaw & Order: SVUsince 2000 — the second-longest running character in the show’s tenure, only behind Olivia Benson.
Before his two-plus decades onSVU, Ice-T (born Tracy Lauren Marrow) rose to fame as a rapper in the 1980s and ’90s, first as a solo artist and later with the group Body Count. One of the Body Count’s most famous (and controversial) songs was the 1992 track “Cop Killer” — which is especially ironic, considering the majority of Ice-T’s acting career has been spent playing an NYPD detective (now sergeant).
SVUcreatorDick Wolfbrought up Ice-T’s issues with law enforcement after he cast him on the series in 2000.
“He goes, ‘You don’t like cops, do you?’ ” Ice-T recalled toToday. “And I go, ‘Well, Dick, I used to be a criminal, and the cops were the opponent. It wasn’t that we didn’t like them — we knew they were there to do their job, and we were doing our job.’ ”
Ice-T continued: “He said, ‘But you admit we need them?’ I’m like, ‘Hell yeah.’ He said, ‘Play the cop we need.’ ”
Ice-T has been doing just that for 24 seasons and counting — earning a star on theHollywood Walk of Famein the process — and has no plans of stopping anytime soon. “I’mma stay on until the wheels fall off,” he said during a March 2023 appearance onThe Tonight Show With Jimmy Fallon.
Off camera, Ice-T met his wife,Coco Austin, in the early 2000s and they welcomed a daughter together namedChanel Nicole. Ice-T also hastwo adult childrenfrom previous relationships: daughter LeTesha and son Tracy Jr.
Richard Belzer as John Munch
Richard Belzer as Detective John Munch on ‘Law & Order: SVU.’ ; Richard Belzer attends The Paley Center For Media Presents: “Homicide: Life On The Street: A Reunion” at The Paley Center for Media on May 24, 2018 in New York City.Virginia Sherwood/NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal/Getty ; Jamie McCarthy/Getty
The late Richard Belzer played Detective (and later Sergeant) John Munch onSVUfrom 1999 to 2013, with two additional appearances in 2014 and 2016.
“I would never be a detective, but if I were, that’s how I’d be,” Belzer said in an interview withThe Boomer Tubeabout hisSVUrole. “The character is very close to how I would be. They write to all of my paranoia, anti-establishment dissonance and conspiracy theories, so it’s been a lot of fun for me. It’s like a dream, actually.”
Belzer began playing Munch on the NBC showHomicide: Life on the Streetin 1993, and he continued the role until the police drama was canceled in 1999. A few months later, the actor reprised the character whenLaw & Order: SVUdebuted.
While Belzer was best known for his portrayal of Munch, he also had notable film roles inScarfaceandSpecies IIand appeared on the television seriesThe Flash(1990-1991). He was also a celebrated comedian who served as the warm-up act forSaturday Night Livefrom 1975 to 1980, and a published conspiracy theorist (he wrote five books on topics including UFOs andJohn F. Kennedy’s assassination).
“He was just such a beautiful and complex [person], and it was sucha privilege to know him,” Hargitay told PEOPLE following his death.
Dann Florek as Captain Donald Cragen
Dann Florek as Captain Donald Cragen on ‘Law & Order: SVU.’ ; Dann Florek attends the Opening of Broadway’s All-Star “The Front Page” at the Broadhurst Theatre on October 20, 2016 in New York City.Craig Blankenhorn/NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal/Getty ; Jimi Celeste/Patrick McMullan/Getty
Craig Blankenhorn/NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal/Getty ; Jimi Celeste/Patrick McMullan/Getty
Dann Florek led the Special Victims Unit as Captain Donald Cragen for 15 seasons, exiting the show in 2014.
The actor, whose career began in the 1980s and included stints onL.A. LawandSmart Guy, first played Captain Cragen on the originalLaw & Orderfrom 1990 to 1993. Six years later, Florek reprised the role on the spinoff seriesLaw & Order: SVU— and remained there for the next 15 years and 400 episodes, making him the third most-tenured cast member.
“Friday was the last day for Cragen/Florek. It was a sweet send off! But he’ll live on in syndication land 4 evah!” Florek wroteon X(formerly Twitter) following his exit from the procedural drama.
Florek — who has been married to his wife Karen since 1983 — returned as Cragen for the series’500th episodein 2021. He has also appeared on two episodes ofLaw & Order: Organized Crime.
BD Wong as Dr. George Huang
B.D. Wong as Dr. George Huang on ‘Law & Order: SVU.’ ; BD Wong attends the ‘Joy Ride’ New York Screening at Metrograph on June 28, 2023 in New York City.Will Hart/NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal/Getty ; Santiago Felipe/Getty
Will Hart/NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal/Getty ; Santiago Felipe/Getty
Wong first appeared onLaw & Order: SVUin season 2 in 2001, but it wasn’t until season 4 that he became a series regular. He continued on the show for the next 10 years, through season 12. Wong’s total run onSVUis 143 episodes — including guest appearances in seasons 13, 14, 15 and 17.
BeyondLaw & Order: SVU, the critically acclaimed actor has had an esteemed career that includes Broadway, film and television. Some of his most notable roles include Howard Weinstein inFather of the Bride, Dr. Henry Wu inJurassic Park,Whiterose onMr. RobotandWally onAwkwafina is Nora From Queens.
Wong married hislongtime partner Richert Schnorrin 2018. He was previously in a 16-year relationship with talent agent Richie Jackson. The former couple, who split in 2004, share a son named Jackson Foo Wong.
Tamara Tunie as Dr. Melinda Warner
Tamara Tunie as Dr. Melinda Warner on ‘Law & Order: SVU.’ ; Tamara Tunie at the 76th Tony Awards held at the United Palace Theatre on June 11, 2023 in New York City.Michael Parmelee/NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal/Getty ; Aurora Rose/Variety/Getty
Michael Parmelee/NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal/Getty ; Aurora Rose/Variety/Getty
Not every regular on theSVUwas a cop: Tamara Tunie played medical examiner Dr. Melinda Warner from season 2 until season 17 — with cameos that continued through the series’ 500th episode in 2021.
“It was supposed to be one episode, possibly recurring. And it evolved into 16 years of Dr. Warner,” she toldDuJourmagazine.
In addition to her long run onLaw & Order: SVU, Tunie played attorney Jessica Griffin on the soap operaAs the World Turnsfor a total of 15 years, from 1987 to 1995 and again from 2000 to 2007.
Her acting résumé includes theater (she won a Tony Award in 2007 forSpring Awakening) and film, with credits includingWall Street,The Devil’s AdvocateandWhitney Houston: I Wanna Dance with Somebody.
Stephanie March as Alex Cabot
Stephanie March as Assistant District Attorney Alex Cabot on ‘Law & Order: SVU.’ ; Stephanie March attends The Gotham Film & Media Institute, Netflix, and the Venice Film Festival Presents: Next Generation at The Paris Theatre on April 20, 2023 in New York City.Eric Liebowitz/NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal/Getty ; Dave Kotinsky/Getty
Eric Liebowitz/NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal/Getty ; Dave Kotinsky/Getty
Stephanie Marchplayed Assistant District Attorney Alex Cabot onLaw & Order: SVUfrom 2000 to 2003 — but has made several return appearances over the show’s 25 seasons. Her latest cameo was in 2018 for a season 19 episode when Cabot and Benson cross paths while searching for an abducted woman and her young daughter.
“I am delighted to be on theSVUset again,” March told PEOPLE at the time. “The show is sucha meaningful part of my lifeand I get to see two people I have missed dearly — Mariska Hargitay and Alex Cabot.”
March appears in more than 90 episodes ofLaw & Order: SVU, making her one of the most-tenured ADAs in the show’s history. She also reprised the role of ADA Cabot on the spinoff seriesConviction, which lasted one season.
“She is and will always be part ofSVU‘s DNA,” executive producer Michael Chernuchin said about the actress.
Diane Neal as Casey Novak
Diane Neal as Assistant District Attorney Casey Novak on ‘Law & Order: SVU.’ ; Diane Neal arrives at the 2019 RFK Ripple of Hope Awards at New York Hilton Midtown on December 12, 2019 in New York City.Virginia Sherwood/NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal/Getty ; Dia Dipasupil/Getty
Virginia Sherwood/NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal/Getty ; Dia Dipasupil/Getty
Diane Nealplayed one of the most legendary ADAs in theSVUuniverse: Assistant District Attorney Casey Novak. Neal appeared on the show as Novak for five straight seasons from seasons 5 through 9 — the only female ADA to do so in anyLaw & Orderseries.
Before becoming the no-nonsense Novak, though, Neal — who got her start as a model for Ponds and Shiseido — had a guest appearance onSVUin 2001 as a woman who raped a male stripper. After she landed the part of ADA Novak, Neal appeared onSVUfrom 2003 to 2008, with guest appearances through 2012.
“I would love to see us go back to an America where the good guys aren’t penalized and where you’re not punished for doing the right thing and trying to help people,” Neal wrote forEllein 2018. “I would like that very much.”
Danny Pino as Nick Amaro
“I have such respect for the legacy ofSVU, andLaw & Orderin general,” Pino toldEntertainment Tonightbefore his cameo in the historic episode. “So, it meant a lot to me. And for that to happen on the 500th episode, it’s an honor to be a part of.”
After exitingSVU, Pino went on to appear in the film adaptation of the Broadway hitDear Evan Hansenand starred in the FXSons of Anarchyspinoff seriesMayans M.C.In his personal life, Pino has been married to his wife Lilly since 2002; the couple have two sons together named Luca and Julian.
Kelli Giddish as Amanda Rollins
Kelli Giddish as Detective Amanda Rollins on ‘Law & Order: SVU.’ ;.Michael Parmelee/NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal/Getty ; Ralph Bavaro/NBC/Getty
Michael Parmelee/NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal/Getty ; Ralph Bavaro/NBC/Getty
Also signing on in season 13 ofSVUwas Kelli Giddish as Detective Amanda Rollins, an ambitious Atlanta transplant who joins the Special Victims Unit following Stabler’s departure.
However, Giddish’s debut as Rollins in 2011 was not her first time appearing onLaw & Order: SVU. Four years prior, the Georgia-born actress had a guest role on the show as rape victim Kara Dawson in the episode “Outsider.”
In addition to her appearance onSVU, Giddish’s early career credits include playing Diana Henry onAll My Childrenfrom 2005 to 2007 and U.S. Marshall Annie Frost on the short-lived NBC dramaChasein 2010.
But the longest run of Giddish’s acting career has beenSVU: She played Rollins for over a decade, exiting the series in season 24 in 2022. “She’s grown and changed, and I have as well,” she said when announcing her departure.
Though Giddish made a cameo in the season 24 finale, her official last episode as a cast member was In December 2022 during the midseason finale — and showedRollins marryingher former partner-turned-Assistant District Attorney Dominick “Sonny” Carisi in a small courthouse ceremony.
“[Rollins] gota rare happy ending,” the actress toldEntertainment Weeklyabout her exit. “That’s a huge legacy … That’s kind of awesome.”
Since then, the actress has returned as a guest star in seasons 24 and 25. “It’s the fans and itgives me so much joyto come back and to be with a family for a little bit longer,” Giddish told PEOPLE about reprising her role in a different capacity. “It’s really fun. I get to step in the shoes of Rollins again.”
In real life, Giddish is living her own happy ending: She welcomedher third child, Oldie, in June 2023, with her husband, Beau Richards. She also has two sons, Ludo andCharlie, from a previous marriage.
Peter Scanavino as Dominick “Sonny” Carisi
Peter Scanavino as Dominick “Sonny” Carisi on ‘Law & Order: SVU.'.Michael Parmelee/NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal/Getty ; Jose Perez/Bauer-Griffin/GC Images
Michael Parmelee/NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal/Getty ; Jose Perez/Bauer-Griffin/GC Images
The actor first appeared in the series in 2014 as Carisi, the Staten Island-born detective who joins the Special Victims Unit after Amaro’s departure. After five seasons of working on sex crimes, Scanavino’s character moves to prosecute those crimes as assistant district attorney.
Prior to joiningSVUas Carisi, he made guest appearances on several shows within theLaw & Orderfamily: He starred on a 2005 episode ofLaw & Order: Criminal Intent, a 2009 episode ofLaw & Orderand a 2013 episode ofLaw & Order: SVU. In addition to his acting credits, Scanavino is also a trained chef.
While on-screenCarisi is married to Rollins, in real life, Scanavino wed painter Lisha Bai. The couple have three children together.
Octavio Pisano as Joe Velasco
Octavio Pisano as Detective Joe Velasco on ‘Law & Order: SVU.’ ; Octavio Pisano at the ‘Law & Order’ crossover premiere press day on September 19, 2022 in New York City.Scott Gries/NBC/Getty
Scott Gries/NBC/Getty
Pisano, who appeared on the CBS crime dramaCoyoteand in the indie filmMs. Purple, was first seen onLaw & Order: SVUin season 23. Velasco joined the Special Victims Unit as a former undercover agent who grew up deep in cartel territory in Mexico.
One of his first episodes involved Velasco trying to help a priest from his hometown rescue three sex-trafficked girls — a storyline that struck a nerve for the actor, who was raised in Tijuana, Mexico.
Molly Burnett as Grace Muncy
Molly Burnett as Detective Grace Muncy on ‘Law & Order: SVU.’ ; Molly Burnett takes a selfie.Ralph Bavaro/NBC/Getty ; Molly Burnett Instagram
Ralph Bavaro/NBC/Getty ; Molly Burnett Instagram
Another new face on the long-running series is Molly Burnett, who plays Detective Grace Muncy onLaw & Order: SVU.
Burnett joined the series for season 24 in July 2022, but her time at Special Victims Unit was short-lived: The actress left the show after just one season,Deadlinereported. Even though her time on the show was brief, it still held special meaning to Burnett.
Prior to her work onSVU, Burnett played Melanie Jonas on the soap operaDays of Our Livesfrom 2008 to 2012 and Kelly Ann on USA’sQueen of the Southfrom 2016 to 2021.
Jasmine Batchelor as Tonie Churlish
Jasmine Batchelor as Officer Tonie Churlish on ‘Law & Order: SVU.’ ; Jasmine Batchelor attends the ‘Becoming Elizabeth’ New York Premiere at The Plaza Hotel on June 07, 2022 in New York City.Peter Kramer/NBC/Getty ; Arturo Holmes/Getty
Peter Kramer/NBC/Getty ; Arturo Holmes/Getty
Batchelor joined the long-running series mid-way through season 24 in 2022. “Thank you to every viewer who’s sent words of love, support, or kindness. It means so much to me & I’m really grateful to be a part of something you all love so much,” she wroteon Instagramafter one of her most prominent episodes, “Lime Chaser,” aired.
Kevin Kane as Terry Bruno
Kevin Kane as Detective Terry Bruno on ‘Law & Order: SVU.’ ; Kevin Kane poses for a photo posted on Instagram.Scott Gries/NBC/Getty ; Kevin Kane Instagram
Scott Gries/NBC/Getty ; Kevin Kane Instagram
Kevin Kane rounds out the crew of new detectives at the Manhattan Special Victims Unit in his role as Detective Terry Bruno.
The character makes his way to SVU in season 24 after winning a wrongful termination lawsuit from Bronx SVU and collaborating with Benson to solve unsolved rapes in the Bronx.
Kane has played a police officer previously onChicago: P.D.and an FBI agent in theMartin Scorsese filmThe Irishman— but the Philadelphia native’s most notable work has been in comedy, as a producer and actor onInside Amy Schumer. Kane won a Primetime Emmy, Television Critics Award and Peabody Award for his work onInside Amy Schumer.
Kane is married to actress Francis Benhamou. The couple share a daughter together.
source: people.com
