Law & Order: SVU has had a revolving door of cast over the years. Two of the show's current stars look set to end their stints on the franchise at the end of the current season.
Per Deadline, Juliana Martinez and Octavio Pisano, who play the roles of Detectives Kate Silva and Joe Velasco respectively, are set to leave the show after the conclusion of Law & Order: Special Victims Unit season 26. Whilst there has been no renewal for future seasons yet, the duo will not reprise their roles if the series is renewed. Pisano ed the long-running Law & Order spinoff in season 23 as an undercover detective, whilst Martinez only ed the cast of the successful procedural this season.
What This Means For The Future of Law & Order: SVU
The Show Could Be Set For A Shakeup
As the longest-running live-action show and NBC's flagship series, Law & Order: Special Victims Unit has enjoyed more than a quarter of a century on the air. In order to maintain audience interest and continue to tell immersive stories, the show needs to have a soft reset occasionally. The departures of Martinez and Pisano could signify that the series is set to undergo a shakeup, and this could result in some new cast ing the show, and even a few more departures.
Law & Order: SVU Finally Gives Justice To Amanda Rollins' New Role After Kelli Giddish's Exit
Law & Order: SVU season 26, episode 20 finally gave Rollins a perfect story that justified her latest appearance during a disturbing case.
While Law & Order: SVU season 27 has not yet been renewed, there is strong belief that the series will be picked up for another season, and this could see a casting shakeup. It is unclear whether Martinez and Pisano's departures are due to creative or financial reasons, but budget and episode reductions currently underway across multiple NBC shows could have had a big impact on this. It is also unclear whether the two stars will be able to wrap up their character arcs in the season finale, which is set to air May 15.
Our Take On Law & Order: SVU's Departures
The Duo Will End Their Roles, But A Future Return Shouldn't Be Ruled Out
Although Pisano and Martinez will be leaving the show after Law & Order: SVU season 26 concludes, a future return to the franchise should not be ruled out. The long-running nature of the show, along with current spinoffs such as Law & Order: Organized Crime, means there should be future opportunities for the actors to return to the franchise in the future. Law & Order: SVU would be expected to be picked up for at least one more season, and, if the show continues to pull in viewers, there is no reason it cannot continue for years to come.
Source: Deadline
Law & Order: Special Victims Unit
- Release Date
- September 20, 1999
- Showrunner
- Robert Palm, David J. Bruke, Neal Baer, Warren Leight, Rick Eid, Michael S. Chernuchin, David Graziano
- Directors
- David Platt, Jean de Segonzac, Peter Leto, Alex Chapple
Cast
Christopher Meloni
Mariska Hargitay
WHERE TO WATCH
Law & Order: Special Victims Unit centers on the NYPD's Special Victims Unit, a specialized team of detectives who investigate and solve cases of sexual assault, child abuse, and domestic violence. Under the leadership of Captain Olivia Benson, the unit deals with complex and sensitive crimes, balancing empathy for victims with the pursuit of justice.
- Writers
- Dick Wolf
- Franchise(s)
- Law and Order
- Main Genre
- Crime
- Creator(s)
- Dick Wolf
- Seasons
- 26
- Streaming Service(s)
- Netflix
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