‘Law & Order: SVU’: Mariska Hargitay Directs Bradley Whitford’s Return (PHOTOS)

Behind the scenes of 'Law & Order: SVU' with Bradley Whitford, Nancy Travis, and Mariska Hargitay
Peter Kramer/NBC

Bradley Whitford returns to Law & Order: SVU in a very different role in the February 23 episode — he previously appeared on the show nine years ago in the Season 15 episode “Reasonable Doubt” — and the “King of the Moon” photos not only offer a look at his guest spot but also at Mariska Hargitay directing!

In the episode, Whitford plays a man with dementia called Pence Humphreys, who confesses to murder, but Captain Olivia Benson (Hargitay) and ADA Sonny Carisi (Peter Scanavino) believe there’s more to the case. Are they right? Or did he kill his wife? Benson doesn’t think he did in the promo (which you can watch below). “He just thinks he did it,” she says. She’s later seen consoling him when he tells her, “I don’t want to be here without her.”

Also in the episode, when rumors swirl around the squadroom, Sergeant Odafin “Fin” Tutuola (Ice T) presses Detective Joe Velasco (Octavia Pisano) for the truth.

This is the eighth time Hargitay has directed an episode of the drama on which she’s starred since the beginning. She previously directed Season 15’s “Criminal Stories,” Season 16’s “Padre Sandunguero,” Season 17’s “A Misunderstanding” and “Sheltered Outcasts,” Season 18’s “Motherly Love,” Season 20’s “Mea Culpa,” and Season 21’s “She Paints for Vengeance.”

Scroll down for a look at the case as well as behind the scenes with Hargitay and Whitford of “King of the Moon.”

Law & Order: SVU, Thursdays, 9/8c, NBC

Bradley Whitford in 'Law & Order: SVU' - Season 24
Peter Kramer/NBC

Bradley Whitford returns to SVU, this time guest starring as Pence Humphreys.

Nancy Travis as Winnie Humphreys and Bradley Whitford as Pence Humphreys in 'Law & Order: SVU' - Season 24
Peter Kramer/NBC

Winnie Humphreys (Nancy Travis) and Pence

Bradley Whitford and Julia Ryan in 'Law & Order: SVU'
Peter Kramer/NBC

Pence and Virginia (Julia Ryan)

Bradley Whitford and Mariska Hargitay in 'Law & Order: SVU'
Peter Kramer/NBC

Benson (Mariska Hargitay), with Pence

Bradley Whitford in 'Law & Order: SVU'
Peter Kramer/NBC

Pence talking to Carisi (Peter Scanavino)

Peter Scanavino in 'Law & Order: SVU'
Peter Kramer/NBC

Carisi’s listening

Bradley Whitford and Mariska Hargitay in 'Law & Order: SVU'
Peter Kramer/NBC

Pence and Benson

Octavio Pisano as Det. Joe Velasco in 'Law & Order: SVU'
Will Hart/NBC

Velasco (Octavio Pisano)

Mariska Hargitay directing 'Law & Order: SVU'
Will Hart/NBC

Director Mariska Hargitay

Behind the scenes of 'Law & Order: SVU'

Behind the scenes with Holly Hinchliffe (young Winnie), Michael Varde (young Pence), and Mariska Hargitay

Bradley Whitford and Mariska Hargitay on 'Law & Order: SVU'
Peter Kramer/NBC

Bradley Whitford and Mariska Hargitay

Behind the scenes of 'Law & Order: SVU' with Bradley Whitford, Nancy Travis, and Mariska Hargitay
Peter Kramer/NBC

Bradley Whitford, Nancy Travis, and Mariska Hargitay behind the scenes

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  1. C

    CyanLamp

    Last night's episode of Law and Order SVU was one of the best, if not the best, ever. Brilliant! Everything about that story from beginning to the sweet end when Olivia read the book to Pence was awesome. Oh, I caught the line when Pence was flirting with Olivia and he compared her to actress Jayne Mansfield - Mariska's late mother in real life. So cool!!

  2. K

    Kelly Wilson

    I think it would be best if all the Law and Order shows were immediately cancelled. Forthwith and without exception. I've never watched any of these ridiculous and stupid TV shows, and I never will. Seeing Hargitay makes me utterly sick. She is not an actor. More like a stupid woman who attempts to be an so-called "actor." But hey, it's TV. Anything goes, as long as other stupid people watch these ridiculous shows and supply positive ratings. smh