What to Know About ‘Law and Order: SVU’ Season 26: Release Date and More

Mariska Hargitay. Jose Perez/Bauer-Griffin/GC Images

Never fear, New York City is still safe in the hands of Olivia Benson as Law and Order: Special Victims Unit gears up for its 26th season.

Mariska Hargitay has played the role of Captain Benson since its 1999 premiere, and has no plans to stop saving lives on screen.

“I’m obviously not done with SVU and I have so much responsibility there still, which is keeping me artistically challenged. It’s challenging. In the meantime, I also have had these incredible moments,” Hargitay, 60, told Us Weekly exclusively in May. “I’m really happy and fulfilled with my life right now. So, we’ll see what comes. But as of right now, I’m very happy on the ride.”

The show’s milestone 25th season came to an end this past May, with Benson revisiting some of her past — and getting a few full-circle moments with past guest stars. Of course, the finale came to an end with Benson calling her longtime friend and former partner Elliot Stabler (Christopher Meloni).

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While Benson and Stabler still aren’t an item (sorry, SVU fans), Ice-T promises there’s still a lot to come this season.

“We’re very excited about going into season 26. I think last season we caught a whole other wind of fans, and everybody got in it, and the ratings were great,” he told Us exclusively in June. “I don’t see any reason why SVU can’t go 30 [seasons].”

Keep scrolling for everything to know about SVU season 26 so far:

Who Is Returning?

Peter Scanavino and Mariska Hargitay are seen on the film set of the ‘Law and Order: Special Victims Unit’ TV Series on July 22, 2024. Jose Perez/Bauer-Griffin/GC Images

Hargitay and Ice-T will be reprising their respective roles as Benson and Odafin “Fin” Tutuola.

Newer cast members, including Peter Scanavino and Octavio Pisano, will be back as ADA Dominick “Sonny” Carisi and Detective Joe Velasco. Aime Donna Kelly will also be back as Renee Curry.

Are There Any New Stars?

Aime Donna Kelly and Mariska Hargitay are seen on the film set of the ‘Law and Order: Special Victims Unit’ TV Series on July 19, 2024. Jose Perez/Bauer-Griffin/GC Images

Kevin Kane isn’t a newbie to the SVU universe, but the actor — who has been playing Terry Bruno since season 24 — has been promoted to a season regular role.

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Juliana Aidén Martinez will join SVU in the role of a new detective, Deadline reported in July.

Did They Start Filming?

Hargitay and the cast officially kicked off season 26 last month, according to photos from set. “We are so back,” the official Law and Order Instagram account shared on July 22, posting a video of a few cast members jumping into the new season.

When Does the Show Premiere?

Law and Order: SVU is set to premiere via NBC on Thursday, October 3.