Law & Order: SVU Season 27 production gets a promising yet amusing update from star Mariska Hargitay

Captain Benson is back — and she’s kicking off the Law & Order: SVU Season 27 with a camera and a wink.

The wait for Law & Order: SVU Season 27 just got a lot more exciting, thanks to a charmingly candid update from Mariska Hargitay herself. The longtime star and executive producer gave fans a behind-the-scenes peek at the show’s production kickoff, and while the clip was brief, it packed a punch — part business, part fun, and 100% Benson.

In the Instagram video, Hargitay walks through the set in full Olivia Benson mode, crashing a live scene mid-shoot with the kind of confidence only someone 25 years deep into a legendary TV run can pull off. The moment is classic Mariska — a mix of professionalism, playfulness, and that quiet understanding that she is the moment.

Meanwhile, Ice-T — never one to be left out of the fun — chimed in with a sleek set photo of Fin Tutuola, suited up and ready for duty once again. The message from both longtime cast members is clear: the squad is back, and the energy is high.

Familiar faces shift, while new dynamics set the stage

With Law & Order Season 27 filming in full swing, there’s more than just new scripts being passed around. There’s a noticeable shift in the cast lineup that could make for some interesting changes on screen.

Aimé Donna Kelly, who’s played Captain Renee Curry since Season 22, has been bumped up to series regular. After nearly 30 appearances, Curry’s elevation feels earned, especially given her steady rapport with Benson and ability to ground scenes in authority without overshadowing them. But as new doors open, others close — both Octavio Pisano (Detective Velasco) and Juliana Aidén Martinez (Agent Reyes) have exited the show, leaving some fresh room in the SVU bullpen.

Kelli Giddish returns, and Law & Order: SVU Season 27 breaks ground behind the scenes

Now, here's a reunion that's bound to light up the fandom: Kelli Giddish is returning as Detective Amanda Rollins — and this time, she’s sticking around for good. After a polarizing exit in earlier seasons, followed by scattered guest appearances, Giddish is reclaiming her full-time role. Rollins fans, you may now celebrate.

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Also making waves is the historic hiring of Michele Fazekas as the show’s new showrunner. She becomes the first woman to helm SVU in its entire run — a milestone not lost on viewers who’ve watched Olivia Benson blaze trails in the fictional world for over two decades. Between Rollins’ return and Fazekas’ leadership, Law & Order: SVU Season 27 is shaping up to be one of the more emotionally rich and creatively ambitious chapters yet.

If Mariska’s on-set sneak peek is anything to go by, Law & Order: SVU Season 27 is coming in hot — with fresh storylines, evolved dynamics, and a little bit of that signature behind-the-scenes mischief. And really, who could ask for more?

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