‘Law & Order: SVU’ pulls Timothy Busfield episode after arrest warrant — here’s what NBC is airing instead
Warning: This article contains a recollection of crime and can be triggering to some, readers’ discretion advised.
NBC has removed an upcoming episode of ‘Law & Order: Special Victims Unit’ from its broadcast schedule following serious allegations against a guest star attached to the installment. The network confirmed that the episode, which featured actor and director Timothy Busfield in a supporting role, will no longer air as planned. The decision comes after news surfaced that an arrest warrant was issued for Busfield on Friday, January 9. The Emmy-winning actor and filmmaker is facing child s*x ab*se charges connected to alleged incidents involving a young performer.
The charges have prompted swift action from the network, given the nature of the accusations and the subject matter of the series itself. Busfield was scheduled to appear in a Season 27 episode titled “Corrosive,” which had been slated to air on Thursday, January 15, as revealed by TV Insider. In the episode, he was cast as Judge Warren Fels, a respected figure whose storyline centers on an attempted attack. According to the official episode description, the plot follows investigators as they trace an attempt on a judge’s life back to an anonymous video sent to the SVU tip line.
The episode also features Rollins (Kelli Giddish) attempting to help a survivor process past abuse, making the allegations surrounding the guest star especially sensitive. NBC has opted to replace “Corrosive” with a different episode. “Fidelis Ad Mortem,” which was originally planned for a later air date on January 22, will now take its place in the schedule. The allegations against Busfield were first reported late last week. He has been charged with two counts of criminal s*xual contact with a minor, as well as child ab*se, per Variety. The investigation reportedly involves twin boys who appeared as child actors on the 2022 television series ‘The Cleaning Lady.’
It is a project on which Busfield was working as a director. According to the report, one of the twins told authorities that Busfield allegedly touched him inappropriately on two separate occasions. The incidents are said to have occurred when the child was seven years old and again the following year. In the affidavit, the child reportedly stated that he did not tell anyone at the time because “Tim was the Director, and he feared Tim would get mad at him.” The document also notes that the child was described as being “very afraid of Tim and was relieved when he was off set.”
Notably, Busfield has had a long history with the ‘Law & Order’ franchise. His appearance in “Corrosive” would have marked his second time acting on ‘SVU.’ He previously appeared during Season 13 in an episode titled “Russian Brides.” Beyond acting, Busfield has also worked behind the camera on the franchise, directing two episodes of ‘SVU’ and contributing as both a director and actor on the original ‘Law & Order’ series. At this time, NBC has not announced whether “Corrosive” will be rescheduled, reedited, or shelved indefinitely. For now, ‘Law & Order: Special Victims Unit’ will move forward with its revised lineup.
If you or someone you know may be the victim of child abuse, please contact the Child help National Child Abuse Hotline at 1-800-4-A-Child (1-800-422-4453) or contact their live chat services.
