Who plays William Lewis on Law & Order: Special Victims Unit? Actor's career and notable projects explored

NBC's police procedural drama Law & Order: Special Victims Unit premiered on September 20, 1999, and is currently in its twenty-seventh season. Created by Dick Wolf, this series delves into the lives of NYPD detectives in the Special Victims Unit, who investigate sex-related crimes.

If you're a big fan of Law & Order: Special Victims Unit, the name William Lewis is probably one you'll never forget. He was one of the most complex and notorious villains on SVU. A serial killer and rapist, he was a nightmare for Olivia Benson and her team. But do you know who brought such a dark character to life? It was none other than Pablo Schreiber. His portrayal of Lewis remains one of the most disturbing storylines of the series.

You might know him for his roles in Orange is the New Black, 13 Hours, and Den of Thieves, to name a few.

Continue reading to know more.

Law & Order: Special Victims Unit: Who is William Lewis?

You can't forget William Lewis once you've seen him. He was introduced in the Season 14 finale of Law & Order: Special Victims Unit. He didn't just commit crimes; he pushed boundaries to see how far he could go. He was cold, intelligent, and unsettlingly real. You could see in his eyes the calm before he tore everything apart. He didn't shout or threaten without reason. He carefully chose every word and pause. He first appeared in Season 8 and came back years later to kidnap Benson in one of SVU's most intense storylines.

The outcome was a villain viewers couldn't look away from, even when they wanted to. Years later, fans still recall him as the embodiment of pure, calculated evil in SVU history.

Over nine episodes, Schreiber demonstrated how control and cruelty can live under a calm voice and a polite smile. The courtroom scenes, where Lewis represented himself just to torment Benson, remain some of the hardest episodes to watch.

In the Law & Order: Special Victims Unit Season 15 finale, he forced Benson into a deadly standoff (a game of Russian Roulette), and it ended with him taking his own life with a gun. He aimed to frame Benson for his death, but the SVU team managed to save Benson. Although his story concluded, Schreiber's incredible performance left a lasting impression.

Speaking to TVInsider, Mariska Hargitay revealed that William Lewis' plot was the most physically challenging arc to shoot, she said,

"The William Lewis arc [in Season 15] was the most taxing. It was gut-wrenching to shoot, but it was a treat to work with Pablo Schreiber [as Lewis, the rapist/killer who kidnapped Olivia]. I trusted him, so I was able to go there."

Beyond William Lewis: Pablo Schreiber's career and notable projects

After Law & Order: Special Victims Unit, Schreiber proved he was much more than a notorious antagonist. He dove into projects that proved him to be a versatile actor.

You might know him as Pornstache from Orange is the New Black, a role that earned him an Emmy nomination.

He then moved into bigger ensemble series. On HBO's The Brink, he played a sharp pilot opposite Jack Black. In American Gods, he became Mad Sweeney, a fallen Irish demigod. Each project showcased something new: wit, vulnerability, physical presence, and a knack for uncovering truth within chaos.

Schreiber then joined Apple TV+'s Defending Jacob as a determined prosecutor. He made the legal drama feel real and layered. And then came Halo on Paramount+, where he played the role of Master Chief. He didn't just rely on armour and action; he brought the emotion to a character known for restraint.

Apart from that, he also appeared in The Terminal List: Dark Wolf, Motor City, Traces, Den of Thieves, and Skyscraper. Some of his upcoming projects include The Savant and His & Hers.

Trending

All episodes of Law & Order: Special Victims Unit are available to stream on Peacock.

Follow SoapCentral for more such updates.

×

Was this article helpful?

Thank You for feedback