NBC's 'Law & Order: SVU' season 21: Release date, plot, cast and everything you need to know about TV's longest-running primetime drama

NBC has renewed 'Law and Order: SVU', starring Mariska Hargitay, for a record-breaking 21st season, making it the longest-running, live-action primetime drama in television history

TV's longest-running primetime drama, 'Law & Order: SVU' will return for its 21st season September 26 on NBC. With a strong fanbase, the show's most recent episode, the season 20 finale, amassed 4.3 million viewers, according to NBC.

In a press statement, the show's main lead, Mariska Hargitay, said: “I am deeply proud to be a part of this groundbreaking show, and humbled to make television history. The longevity and continued success of SVU is a testament not only to the show’s powerful storytelling and ability to connect with viewers but to its necessity. We have told important stories for 20 years, and we will continue to tell them." 'Law & Order: SVU' is produced by Wolf Films in association with Universal Television.

Release date:

Law & Order: SVU Season 21 will start airing September 26 on Thursday nights at 9 p.m. on NBC.

Mariska Hargitay posted the Season 21 poster for 'Law & Order: SVU' Source: Instagram

Plot:

The series revolves around the crimes investigated by the Special Victims Unit of the New York City Police Department, a detective squad that investigates cases related to domestic violence, sexual assault, and child abuse. The main characters are Lt. Olivia Benson, Odafin ‘Fin’ Tutola, and Nick Amaro. 

The show is known for centering its plotlines around real crime stories ripped from headlines. The show was ahead of the current cultural conversation around #MeToo and Time’s Up with its focus on crimes of a sexual nature. The series was originally going to be titled 'Law & Order: Sex Crimes'

Cast: 

Mariska Hargitay as Olivia Benson on 'Law & Order: SVU' (NBC)

Mariska Hargitay plays the lead detective Lt. Olivia Benson, the longest-running female character in a primetime live-action series. She won an Emmy award in 2006 for her performance and has been nominated on seven other occasions.

Danny Pino, Ice-T, and Kelli Giddish in a still from 'Law & Order: SVU' (NBC)

The other leads are Ice-T (Odafin ‘Fin’ Tutola), Danny Pino (Nick Amaro) and Kelli Giddish (Amanda Rollins). The show also stars Peter Scanavino (Dominick Carisi) and Philip Winchester (Peter Stone). However, Winchester announced he won't be returning for the next season.

Creator:

Producer Dick Wolf at 92nd Street Y on February 20, 2019, in New York City. (Getty)

The show's creator and executive producer is Dick Wolf, known for creating the 'Law  & Order' franchise and the 'Chicago' franchise. Warren Leight, who served as the series' showrunner between 2011 and 2016, will return as an executive producer and showrunner for Season 21. He will replace the current showrunner, Michael Chernuchin.

Trailer: 

The trailer for season 21 is not out yet. Watch this space for updates. 

If you like this, you will love these:

'Law & Order', 'Law & Order: Criminal Intent', 'Law & Order: Trial by Jury', 'Law & Order: LA', 'Law & Order True Crime' and 'Exiled: A Law & Order Movie'

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