8 Law & Order: SVU cast members likely to return for Season 28

Law & Order: SVU wrapped up its 27th season recently. But, fans already have something to look forward to because NBC officially renewed the longtime crime drama for Season 28, set to arrive this fall. With the new season confirmed, viewers have naturally started asking whether Mariska Hargitay will return as Olivia Benson. The answer is a definite yes. Hargitay earlier shared with NBC Insider that she still genuinely enjoys coming to work every day. In her words, “I love my job. I love going to work every day. I love the community that I’m in. It is such an incredible team, and we rely so much on each other. We’re a unit. It’s so sacred to me.”

Ice-T is also set to return for Season 28 of SVU. Speaking with TV Insider, showrunner Michele Fazekas confirmed there were never plans to have Fin retire from the squad in the series. She explained that, “I never had intended on having him actually retire from the show, but it was part of that theme of both of them because they’re the kind of OG members of this unit and he and Benson were approaching it differently. When he asked Benson at the beginning of the season like, ‘Well, we’re not going to do this forever.’ That’s his approach. But they both sort of come to the same conclusion at the end, like, it’s going to be you and me to the end, whenever that is.”

Kelli Giddish is expected to continue her return as Amanda Rollins in Season 28. After originally leaving the show in late 2022, Giddish stepped away to focus on family life and later welcomed her third son, Oldie, with husband Beau in 2023. She is also raising sons Ludo and Charlie. The actress officially returned as a full-time cast member during Season 27 and recently shared that she is already excited about heading back to set for the upcoming season. Speaking with PEOPLE, Giddish said, “I'm looking forward to next season already. It's going to be fun. And coming back this year, I say it's like riding a bike, but it's so fun to work there and to be with my crew that I've known forever.”

Corey Cott is likely to return for the upcoming installment after joining the series in Season 27 as Detective Jake Griffin. Following his debut, Cott was soon promoted to a full-time cast member. Speaking with TV Insider, the actor shared excitement about continuing Griffin’s story in the upcoming season. Cott explained that, “I had such a blast doing it this season. I can only trust it’s going to be even better. But ultimately I feel secure knowing that like, alright, I’ve earned my stripes, paid my dues, I got my literal and figurative, proverbial scar, emotional scar and physical scars. So now let’s move forward knowing that there’s no hidden agendas anymore. I’m here to serve and protect.”

Aimé Donna Kelly will most probably reprise her role as Captain Renee Curry in SVU Season 28. Kelly first appeared in a recurring role during Season 22 before becoming a full-time cast member in Season 27. Fans can also expect Peter Scanavino to return as Dominick “Sonny” Carisi. Scanavino joined the NBC drama back in 2014 during its 16th season, originally appearing in a recurring role as Detective Carisi before being promoted to the main cast. Over the years, Carisi has grown into one of the show’s main characters, eventually moving from detective work into his current role as Assistant District Attorney.

Since NBC has not announced any major cast exits for Law & Order: Special Victims Unit Season 28, viewers can look forward to seeing other familiar faces return as well. That includes Kevin Kane as Detective Terry Bruno and Noma Dumezweni as Chief Kathryn Tynan. Also, the network has not officially revealed an exact premiere date yet, but the new season is expected to arrive sometime during fall this year. So, fans will probably see the series return in either September or October 2026.