Law & Order: Special Victims Unit is gearing up for major changes as the show awaits confirmation for Season 27. It has been confirmed that Juliana Aidén Martinez (Detective Kate Silva) and Octavio Pisano (Detective Joe Velasco) will not return if the series continues.
Martinez joined the show in Season 26, and Pisano has been part of the cast since Season 23, making their departures a significant shift for longtime fans. This comes alongside behind-the-scenes changes, including the appointment of Michele Fazekas as the show’s new showrunner—the first woman to hold that position on SVU.
Created by Dick Wolf and led by Mariska Hargitay as Captain Olivia Benson, Law & Order: SVU remains the longest-running series in the Law & Order franchise. The cast also includes Ice T, Peter Scanavino, and Kevin Kane. The show has influenced multiple spinoffs and related series, such as Law & Order: Organized Crime and other Wolf Entertainment productions.
While the original FBI series continues, its sister shows Most Wanted and International will not be returning.
With executive producers including Dick Wolf, David Graziano, and Mariska Hargitay, SVU is produced by Universal Television and Wolf Entertainment.
Fans can expect fresh storylines and cast dynamics as the show moves forward into its next chapter—if Season 27 gets the green light.