Law And Order’s Ice-T Shares What Can Happen ‘If You Die On SVU,’ And I Hope We Never See It With Fin

The popular TV series “Law & Order: SVU” will make its comeback during the fall 2025 television schedule, marking Season 27. This return means the continuation of long-standing cast members Mariska Hargitay and Ice-T, who have been part of NBC’s lineup for over 25 years now. Notably, they occupy the top two spots among actors with the most appearances in the franchise. Ice-T, portraying Odafin “Fin” Tutuola since Season 2 in 2000, has shared insights about the broader Dick Wolf TV universe and the potential consequences if an actor’s character is written off. Here’s hoping that “SVU” will never surprise us with such a twist for Fin’s character!

The main cast of SVU is undergoing changes for Season 27. Octavio Pisano, known as Velasco, and Juliana Aidén Martinez, playing Silva, are leaving their series regular roles. On a positive note, Kelli Giddish is set to reprise her role as Amanda Rollins. Interestingly, Pisano will return for at least one more episode, though fans might hope it won’t result in Velasco’s departure from the show. Speaking with Entertainment Weekly, Ice-T shared an unexpectedly upbeat outlook about the possibilities that may arise for an actor following their character’s demise or exit from the series.

It’s clear that Christopher Meloni decided to leave, and he pursued acting in films instead. Later, he returned to the Dick Wolf universe, this time with a role in Organized Crime. Interestingly, in this universe, characters can even pass away on SVU and then reappear on Chicago Fire. So, if you manage to stay in Dick Wolf’s favor, you’re likely to remain employed.

As a die-hard movie enthusiast, it’s clear that Ice-T is holding onto some serious favor with Dick Wolf, given he’s now the longest-serving cast member in the Law & Order universe, trailing behind only Mariska Hargitay’s Olivia Benson. Yet, the ease of his role in the Special Victims Unit doesn’t seem to extend to Fin, as evidenced by a gritty photo he shared for Season 27’s premiere, hinting at some tough times ahead. In an interview with EW, Ice-T implied that Sergeant Fin’s injuries might linger, slowing his recovery process.

In this rephrased version, I aim to maintain the original intent while making the language more suitable for a broader audience:

In the initial episode of this season, I made my appearance. Unfortunately, I faced a grueling defeat which left me hospitalized. This left me confused and questioning the circumstances… However, I was absent from the second episode. In the third episode, I returned, but my presence wasn’t entirely clear-cut. The creators of the show have an ensemble cast, so they frequently shift our roles.

This version maintains the narrative while making it more accessible and appropriate for various readers.

Don’t worry, fellow SVU enthusiasts – Fin getting hospitalized at the start of Season 27 doesn’t mean he’ll be away for a long time. In fact, I speculate that his temporary absence might pave the way for Rollins to reappear. Ever since Rollins was promoted upon her return to the NYPD, I’ve been pondering how Special Victims Unit will manage with two sergeants.

As a die-hard SVU fan, I’m eagerly counting down the days until our favorite show returns in September. While I don’t have the answer just yet for that burning question, I’ve got a strong feeling about Fin’s future. Back in the day, Ice-T himself declared he had no intentions of leaving the series, and more recently, he mentioned he can’t envision any reason why SVU won’t make it to 30 seasons, as long as Mariska Hargitay continues her phenomenal portrayal of Olivia Benson. So, keep your fingers crossed and let’s hope for many more years of detective drama!

Actors can still find roles in other Dick Wolf TV series, even if they are written off their initial shows. For instance, Juliana Aidén Martinez was dismissed from SVU following a single season with Ice-T and the team, but she went on to secure a regular role on CBS’ FBI. Similarly, Kathleen Munroe, who was eliminated from FBI, introduced a new character in Law & Order: Organized Crime and is now slated as the lead in Law & Order Toronto: Criminal Intent.

Not only are there numerous actors who have portrayed multiple characters on SVU, such as Kelli Giddish and Peter Scanavino, but there are many more instances of this throughout the entire franchise. For instance, Ice-T, Mariska Hargitay, and Christopher Meloni are so firmly associated with their roles that it’s hard to imagine them playing different characters within the SVU universe. However, let’s hope that such a change won’t be necessary! As for me, I can only cheer for Fin to continue in his role.

Don’t miss out! Watch the Season 27 debut of “Law & Order: SVU” on NBC this coming Thursday, September 25 at 9 p.m. ET. It follows the Season 25 premiere of “Law & Order” at 8 p.m. ET. To catch up on previous episodes, consider subscribing to Peacock or Hulu streaming services.

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2025-08-30 11:08