Summary
WhileLaw & Order: SVU’sOlivia Benson (Mariska Hargitay) will have a full team for season 26, an important character is missing. For the past several seasons, Benson has been incredibly short-staffed, using rotating team members who have been on loan from the Bronx SVU or other law enforcement organizations. However,Benson’s SVU team forLaw & Order: SVUseason 26includes four detectives who are permanently part of the unit, which opens the door for new storyline possibilities.
The people who are not included in the team are as significant as those who are. Some major casting news includes the fact that one ofLaw & Order: SVU’s saddest episodeswill not be reversed, asAmanda Rollins (Kelli Giddish) is not returningfor season 26. Newcomer Renee Curry (Aimé Donna Kelly), who transferred from IAB to SVU during season 25, is also not coming back, with no explanation given so far. There is one other omission that is even more disappointing because they are confirmed to return.
Law & Order: SVU Season 26 - Release Date, Cast, Story & Everything We Know
Running for a landmark 25 seasons on NBC, Law & Order: SVU shows no signs of stopping any time soon, and has been confirmed for season 26.
Carisi Is Missing From Benson’s New Team Photo For Law & Order: SVU Season 26
Peter Scanavino Is Confirmed To Return, Which Makes His Benson Team Photo Absence More Intriguing
The new team photo forLaw & Orderseason 26 doesn’t include Sonny Carisi (Peter Scanavino). Carisi has been a part ofLaw & Order: SVUsince season 13, when he arrived as a rookie detective who was not used to the highly disturbing nature of SVU cases. However, he is better known as an assistant district attorney, as he got his law license and transferred to the legal side of SVU cases in season 21.
Carisi might not have been included in the photo because he technically is not part of Benson’s team inLaw & Order: SVU. The prosecutorial side of the series is supposed to be separate from the police, as stated in the introduction to each episode. However,Carisi works closely with the SVU teamand occasionally fills in on the police side when needed. Additionally, the iconic image during the opening titles includes the cops and DAs walking together, making it concerning that Carisi is not included in the photo.
Why Carisi Is The Most important Member Of Benson’s Law & Order: SVU Team
As An Attorney With Previous SVU Experience, Carisi Is Well-Positioned To Ensure Survivors Get Justice
ThebestLaw & Order: SVUepisodesinvolve court cases where the ADA cannot win as easily as the police would like them to. While there have been several ADAs,Carisi is unique because he has had experience as a cop who worked for the unit before becoming a lawyer. Thus, he understands the challenges involved in arresting and prosecuting sexual offenders better than anyone else and has a strong understanding of how these crimes affect victims.
Cast changes are inevitable after 26 seasons. Despite this, losing Carisi will be detrimental toLaw & Order: SVU.No other ADA would have the experience he does, so a new ADA wouldn’t be as effective as he has been. Additionally, Carisi’s marriage to Rollins means that if he leaves, there is less of a reason to include Giddish’s fan-favorite character in further guest appearances.Ideally, Carisi would have been part of Benson’sLaw & Order: SVUseason 26 class photo, but at least he’s confirmed to return when the procedural comes back this fall.
Law & Order: Special Victims Unit
Cast
Law & Order: Special Victims Unit is a television series that premiered in 1999. Set in the criminal justice system of New York City, it follows an elite team of detectives who investigate sexually-based offenses, focusing on their efforts to solve complex cases and seek justice for victims.
