‘Law & Order: SVU’ Renewed for Season 27 — What’s Changing?

Meredith Jacobs May 8, 2025, 2:36 pm

Ice-T as Sgt. Odafin 'Fin' Tutuola, Kevin Kane as Det. Terry Bruno, Mariska Hargitay as Capt. Olivia Benson, Octavio Pisano as Det. Joe Velasco, Aimé Donna Kelly as Capt. Curry, Juliana Aidén Martinez as Det. Kate Silva — 'Law & Order: SVU' Season 26 Premiere 'Fractured' — Ralph Bavaro/NBC

With Law & Order: SVU so close to Season 30, it’s nearly impossible to imagine it not reaching such a milestone. But first, it had to get to its 27th season, with its 26th currently airing on NBC. The good news? It did!

When the Mariska Hargitay-led drama returns for the network’s 2025-2026 season, it will do so with a few changes, including one that makes for a first for the long-running series behind the scenes. Read on for everything we know so far about the show’s future, from the cast to a possible premiere date to the status of the other shows in the Law & Order franchise.

Is Law & Order: SVU renewed for Season 27?

Yes, NBC renewed the series on Thursday, May 8, a week before its Season 26 finale.

When’s the SVU Season 26 finale?

The Law & Order: SVU Season 26 finale will air on Thursday, May 15. In “Post-Rage,” Benson investigates a string of sexual assaults targeting local female psychiatrists. The squad celebrates a promotion.

What’s changing for SVU Season 27?

Octavio Pisano (Detective Joe Velasco) and Juliana Aidén Martinez (Detective Kate Silva) are exiting after Season 26. It has not yet been revealed how they will be written out, but the logline’s tease of a promotion could be about one of them.

There will also be a new showrunner. David Graziano, after three seasons in the position, is leaving, and Michele Fazekas is set to take over, according to Deadline. Her return for the 27th season comes after she served as a writer-producer, then co-executive producer during Seasons 3 through 7. This will be the first time that SVU has a female showrunner.

Christopher Meloni Unpacks 'Organized Crime' Premiere, Stabler's Feelings for Benson

Who’s in the Law & Order: SVU Season 27 cast?

In addition to Mariska Hargitay as Captain Olivia Benson, we expect Ice-T as Sergeant Odafin “Fin” Tutuola, Peter Scanavino as Assistant District Attorney Dominick “Sonny” Carisi Jr., and Kevin Kane as Detective Terry Bruno to return for Season 27. Recurring in Season 26 were Kelli Giddish as Sergeant Amanda Rollins and Aimé Donna Kelly recurs as Captain Curry.

When will SVU Season 27 premiere?

It will most probably be part of NBC’s fall 2025 schedule, meaning the Season 27 premiere would be in late September or early October.

Is there an SVU Season 27 trailer yet?

Not yet. It’s too early.

What’s going on with the other Law & Order shows?

NBC has also renewed Law & Order for its 25th season. And the SVU spinoff Organized Crime, led by Christopher Meloni, is now being released on the streaming service Peacock. Season 5 premiered on Thursday, April 17, and a decision has not been made about its future.