It looks like Law & Order: Special Victims Unit isn’t going to write off one cast member without a goodbye, and that’s something fans of the show love!
Law & Order fans are long used to the revolving door for characters on the show. It’s all too common for cops or lawyers to leave the series over its run. Some will receive good sendoffs, such as Sam Waterston as Jack McCoy or, more recently, Jet Slootmaker on Law & Order: Organized Crime.
Sadly, there’s also a tendency for the series to write off a character when their actor departs in between seasons and barely acknowledges the departure. A notable example is Kate Dixon (Camryn Manheim), who departed the mothership Law & Order after Season 23. The season 24 premiere had Dixon gone with an off-screen text about moving to Florida to be closer to her son.
It’s thus natural that fans expect more of the same with the Law & Order shows as season 25 has Mehcad Brooks leaving as Jalen Shaw. Meanwhile, it’s confirmed that Law & Order SVU season 27 will be without Octavio Pisano and Juliana Aidén Martinez.
Pisano had played Detective Joe Velasco since season 23. Martinez had just joined the series in season 26 as Detective Kate Silva. Fans were obviously expecting the season 27 premiere to only briefly touch on the departure, but at least one of them is coming back!
See Velasco’s brief return on Law & Order: SVU season 27
An Instagram post from Mariska Hargitay showed the SVU cast back on set for the start of filming season 27. That included Peter Scanavino, Kevin Kane and recently promoted series regular Aimé Donna Kelly. In a surprise, Pisano was with them.
The season 26 finale had Velasco being promoted to Detective Second Grade. It’s likely the premiere serves as a sendoff to Velasco, perhaps getting a new assignment to go with his promotion. It’s also possible Velasco has already transferred out of SVU but is coming back to aid on a case.
It should be noted that Silva won’t be coming back as Martinez just landed a role on FBI. However, it’s great to see Pisano returning to at least close out his character’s arc. As noted, Law & Order fans are aggravated at how characters can be dropped with barely any meaningful farewell or a proper goodbye. Having Velasco work one last case with the SVU team before moving on is far better for the character and nicely closes out his run.
The show had gotten some backlash on the departures of Velasco and Silva as it seemed bad to cut the latter after just one season. Velasco had proven himself as a fine character, a former street kid who rose up to become a cop and still potential for him to grow. At least getting this proper farewell is more deserving for the actor and shows the producers do listen to the fans.
Thus, fans of Law & Order: SVU can see Velasco getting a goodbye that many Law & Order characters don’t, a great boon for the show!
Law & Order: Special Victims Unit season 27 will air Thursdays at 9/8c on NBC in fall 2025.
Stay tuned to Precinct TV for further news and updates.