Law & Order: SVU returned for its 25th season in January 2024. Fans have seen many characters enter the squad room and quite a few exit. Captain Donald Cragen, played by Dann Florek, and John Munch, portrayed by the late Richard Belzer, were important squad members in the early seasons.
But the most important partnership on the show was that of Olivia Benson, portrayed by Mariska Hargitay, and Elliot Stabler, played by Christopher Meloni. The detectives worked side-by-side and their chemistry wasn't lost on viewers. Elliot left in 2011 but returned on his own spinoff, Law & Order: Organized Crime. Fans live for crossover appearances as they continue to ship Olivia and Elliot.
Right now, both Olivia and Odafin "Finn" Tutola, played by Ice-T, have been with the show since its early seasons. Other fan favorites like Detective Amanda Rollins, played by Kelli Giddish, left the series. In Season 25, Kelli will make a second guest appearance. With such a long-running show, the cast turnover can alienate some fans.
Is it time for Law & Order: SVU to end?
Not yet! The show has been renewed for Season 26, which will probably grace our television screens in the fall of 2024. Fans will continue to see Olivia grow, just as we have seen her as a rookie detective at the beginning of the series. Now she is the captain of the squad.
Mariska sees more possibilities for Olivia. She told People, “There’s a thing WWOBD, what would Olivia Benson do? The fans would always talk about it, and one day it hit me. I also have those moments where I’ve sort of slipped into her," the actress said. "Being strong and fearless. It’s sort of this perfect feminist story.”
Olivia's struggles as both an advocate for victims and a rape victim herself have resonated with viewers. While I'm thrilled that Law & Order: SVU is returning for Season 26, I think that it should exit when it is still at the top of its game. So maybe Season 26 should be the show's final season.
Law & Order: SVU Season 25 airs Thursdays at 9/8c on NBC and streams the following day on Peacock.