Law & Order: Special Victims Unit

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Mariska Hargitay as Olivia Benson and Ice-T as Odafin Fin Tutuola stand together in a tiled police office on Law and Order: Special Victims Unit.

Law & Order: Special Victims Unit

American television series

Also known as: “SVU”

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July 20, 2026

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Mariska Hargitay as Olivia Benson and Ice-T as Odafin Fin Tutuola stand together in a tiled police office on Law and Order: Special Victims Unit. — Ice-T (left) and Mariska Hargitay on Law & Order: Special Victims Unit Ice-T joined the cast of Law & Order: Special Victims Unit in 2000 as Detective Odafin (“Fin”) Tutuola.

Law & Order: Special Victims Unit (SVU) is an American television series and a spin-off of the original Law & Order. Premiering in 1999, it focuses on investigations into sex crimes, child victimization, and domestic violence. The show is known for its lead character, Detective Olivia Benson, portrayed by Mariska Hargitay, who has played the role since the series began. Hargitay's portrayal of Benson has been praised for conveying empathy and passion, and she has set a record for the longest tenure of a single character by the same actor in a TV series. The series has also been recognized for its advocacy, with Hargitay founding the Joyful Heart Foundation to support survivors of sexual assault.12

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Ellen Burstyn
…her guest appearance (2008) on Law & Order: Special Victims Unit and for her supporting role (2012) in the miniseries Political Animals. In 2014 she played a crazed matriarch in a television adaptation of the melodramatic thriller Flowers in the Attic (1979), by V.C. Andrews, and two years later she…
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…her guest appearance (2008) on Law & Order: Special Victims Unit and for her supporting role (2012) in the miniseries Political Animals. In 2014 she played a crazed matriarch in a television adaptation of the melodramatic thriller Flowers in the Attic (1979), by V.C. Andrews, and two years later she…
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Laverne Cox
In 2008 she appeared on Law and Order: Special Victims Unit and had bit parts in other TV series. She also appeared on the reality television show I Want to Work for Diddy (2008). In 2010 Cox produced and starred in TRANSform Me (2010). Each episode follows a female contestant…
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In 2008 she appeared on Law and Order: Special Victims Unit and had bit parts in other TV series. She also appeared on the reality television show I Want to Work for Diddy (2008). In 2010 Cox produced and starred in TRANSform Me (2010). Each episode follows a female contestant…
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Marcia Gay Harden
…part (2005–13) in the series Law & Order: Special Victims Unit. She received another Emmy nod for her role as the mother of the title character (played by Anna Paquin) in the TV movie The Courageous Heart of Irena Sendler (2009). In 2009 she earned a Tony Award for her…
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…part (2005–13) in the series Law & Order: Special Victims Unit. She received another Emmy nod for her role as the mother of the title character (played by Anna Paquin) in the TV movie The Courageous Heart of Irena Sendler (2009). In 2009 she earned a Tony Award for her…
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Mariska Hargitay
Law & Order: Special Victims Unit
…& Order spin-off known as SVU. Except for a period of maternity leave in 2006 and a brief absence in 2009 as a result of an injury incurred during a stunt, Hargitay portrayed Benson in every episode, setting a record for the longest tenure of a single character portrayed by…
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…& Order spin-off known as SVU. Except for a period of maternity leave in 2006 and a brief absence in 2009 as a result of an injury incurred during a stunt, Hargitay portrayed Benson in every episode, setting a record for the longest tenure of a single character portrayed by…
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Ice-T
Acting career, Law & Order: Special Victims Unit, and other projects
… Detective (later Sergeant) Tutuola on Law & Order: Special Victims Unit. In 2023 he reflected on the irony of being cast as a police officer after his notoriety with “Cop Killer.” Pointing out that in the series he plays a cop in a unit that investigates sex crimes, he explained…
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… Detective (later Sergeant) Tutuola on Law & Order: Special Victims Unit. In 2023 he reflected on the irony of being cast as a police officer after his notoriety with “Cop Killer.” Pointing out that in the series he plays a cop in a unit that investigates sex crimes, he explained…
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Leslie Odom, Jr.
Early life and career
…and the crime drama series Law & Order: Special Victims Unit (2013–15).
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…and the crime drama series Law & Order: Special Victims Unit (2013–15).
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J.K. Simmons
Oz, Spider-Man movies, and Whiplash
…TV series Law & Order, Law & Order: Special Victims Unit, and Law & Order: Criminal Intent. He won praise for his portrayal of the vicious white supremacist Vern Schillinger in the prison-drama TV series Oz (1997–2003).
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…TV series Law & Order, Law & Order: Special Victims Unit, and Law & Order: Criminal Intent. He won praise for his portrayal of the vicious white supremacist Vern Schillinger in the prison-drama TV series Oz (1997–2003).
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