Law & Order: Special Victims Unit (season 23)
The twenty-third season of the American crime-drama television series Law & Order: Special Victims Unit was ordered on February 27, 2020, by NBC.[1] Set to air during the 2021–2022 television season,[2] the season will be produced by Wolf Entertainment and Universal Television; the showrunner is Warren Leight. The season premiered on September 23, 2021.[3] The series' milestone 500th episode aired this season as the sixth episode and saw the return of former Detective Nick Amaro and former SVU Captain Don Cragen.[4][5][6] This is the last season for Jamie Gray Hyder and Demore Barnes as they departed in the premiere episode.[7] The season will consist of 22 episodes.
| Law & Order: Special Victims Unit | |
|---|---|
| Season 23 | |
 Season 23 promotional poster | |
| Starring |
|
| Country of origin | United States |
| No. of episodes | 19 |
| Release | |
| Original network | NBC |
| Original release | September 23, 2021 – present |
| Season chronology | |
Cast and characters
Main
- Mariska Hargitay as Captain Olivia Benson
- Kelli Giddish as Detective 2nd Grade Amanda Rollins
- Ice-T as Sergeant Odafin "Fin" Tutuola
- Peter Scanavino as ADA Dominick "Sonny" Carisi, Jr.
- Jamie Gray Hyder as Detective 3rd Grade Katriona "Kat" Tamin (episodes 1–2)
- Demore Barnes as Deputy Chief Christian Garland (episodes 1–2, guest episode 19)
- Octavio Pisano as Detective 3rd Grade Joe Velasco (episodes 7–present; guest star: episodes 1–2, 4)
Special guest stars
- Tamara Tunie as Chief M.E. Melinda Warner
- Danny Pino as Former Detective Nick Amaro
- Dann Florek as Former Captain Donald Cragen
- Raúl Esparza as Defense Attorney (former ADA) Rafael Barba
- Donal Logue as Captain Declan Murphy
Crossover stars from Organized Crime
- Christopher Meloni as Detective 1st Grade Elliot Stabler
- Danielle Moné Truitt as Sergeant Ayanna Bell
- Ainsley Seiger as Detective 3rd Grade Jet Slootmaekers
- Dylan McDermott as Richard Wheatley
- Tamara Taylor as Prof. Angela Wheatley
- Nick Creegan as Richard "Richie" Wheatley, Jr.
- Allison Siko as Kathleen Stabler
- Nicky Torchia as Elliot "Eli" Stabler, Jr.
- Jeffrey Scaperrotta as Richard "Dickie" Stabler
Recurring
- Terry Serpico as Chief Tommy McGrath
- Ben Rappaport as Congressman George Howard
- Zabryna Guevara as Dr. Catalina Machado
- Saverio Guerra as Paulie Banducci
- TJ Lee as Celia Long
- Ryan Garbayo as Ruben Ortiz
- Aime Donna Kelly as IAB Captain Renee Curry
- Stephen C. Bradbury as Judge Colin McNamara
- Angelic Zambrana as Rosa Estrada
- Jeffrey Schecter as Counselor Art Blumfeld
- Carrie Kim as Celine Tatou
- Adrian Alvarado as Detective Ray Fernandez
- Frank Wood as M.E. Abel Truman
- Michael Dempsey as Elvis Baktashi
- Ryan Buggle as Noah Porter-Benson
- Aida Turturro as Judge Felicia Catano
- Eddie Hargitay as Officer Eddie Montero
- Kadia Saraf as U.S. Attorney Anya Avital
- Michael Mastro as Judge D. Serani
- Peter Hermann as Defense Attorney Trevor Langan
- Joe Grifasi as Judge Hashi Horowitz
- Ari'el Stachel as Sergeant Hasim Khaldun
- Jason Biggs as Detective Andy Parlato-Goldstein
- Cyndee Rivera as Detective Mia Ruz
- Betty Buckley as Trial Division Chief ADA Lorraine Maxwell
- Teagle F. Bougere as Bureau Chief ADA Phillip Baptiste
- Aidan Quinn as Burton Lowe
Episodes
| No. overall | No. in season | Title [8] | Directed by | Written by | Original air date [8] | Prod. code | U.S. viewers (millions) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 495 | 1 | "And the Empire Strikes Back" | Norberto Barba | Warren Leight & Julie Martin & Bryan Goluboff | September 23, 2021 | 2301 | 5.57[9] |
| When a powerful congressman (Ben Rappaport) is using his political instincts to traffic girls, Benson and the Special Victims Unit race against the clock to put him away for life but the case may be harder that they thought. Benson faces a major dilemma when her loyalty to Garland is tested over the backfired Javon Brown case. Meanwhile, Detective Joe Velasco (Octavio Pisano) joins the SVU squad when he is assigned to the case by Chief McGrath (Terry Serpico). Also, a suspicious car accident puts Benson's life in danger. | |||||||
| 496 | 2 | "Never Turn Your Back on Them" | Norberto Barba | Teleplay by : Julie Martin & Bryan Goluboff Story by : Warren Leight | September 23, 2021 | 2302 | 5.57[9] |
| The Special Victims Unit faces a major setback when one of the witness of Congressman Howard is missing and the others dead or threatened. It leads Fin and Kat down a dangerous path which puts Kat's life in danger. Meanwhile, Rollins and Carisi determine the status of their relationship. Kat resigns from the Special Victims Unit after her accident made her realize that change is not worth her to stay and Benson become even more distraught when she realizes that Garland is also resigning as Deputy Chief after what happened with the Javon Brown case. | |||||||
| 497 | 3 | "I Thought You Were on My Side" | John Behring | Teleplay by : Julie Martin & Warren Leight Story by : Bryan Goluboff | September 30, 2021 | 2303 | 4.66[10] |
| Benson and Rollins must contend with the FBI and the Organized Crime bureau when a rape victim (Herizen Guardiola) identifies a dangerous mobster (Rhys Corio) as her assailant. Unfortunately, the Special Victims Unit realizes that the perp is way more connected than they originally thought, further complicating things for the victim. | |||||||
| 498 | 4 | "One More Tale of Two Victims" | Michael Pressman | Teleplay by : Denis Hamill & Monet Hurst-Mendoza Story by : Denis Hamill & Bryan Goluboff | October 7, 2021 | 2304 | 3.88[11] |
| Benson and Fin faces the tight reins of Chief McGrath when the SVU squad searches for a serial rapist who preys on mothers with young children. Meanwhile, Velasco is not receiving a warm welcome into the precinct when the squad uncovers that is may be a spy for McGrath. | |||||||
| 499 | 5 | "Fast Times @TheWheelHouse" | Martha Mitchell | Brianna Yellen & Brendan Feeney | October 14, 2021 | 2305 | 3.96[12] |
| The SVU squad is dragged into the center world of social media when a rape victim (Lena Torluemke) is assaulted by two popular influencer brothers (Jakob Winter and Conor Sweeney). When the victim's friend (Taylor Trensch) is unable to come forward, he does everything in his power to make it right. | |||||||
| 500 | 6 | "The Five Hundredth Episode" | Juan J. Campanella | Teleplay by : Brianna Yellen & Julie Martin Story by : Brianna Yellen & Warren Leight | October 21, 2021 | 2306 | 3.89[13] |
| Detective Nick Amaro (Danny Pino) returns to the Special Victims Unit after six years not only to reunite with his former squad members but to reopen a case that places Benson with someone from her past (Aidan Quinn) in order to clear a convicted man's name for rape but there may be a secret from his past that causes friction with Benson. Meanwhile, former Captain Donald Cragen (Dann Florek) helps the squad with the case. | |||||||
| 501 | 7 | "They'd Already Disappeared" | Bethany Rooney | Kathy Dobie & Micharne Cloughley | November 4, 2021 | 2307 | 4.42[14] |
| When a teenage sex worker disappears, Rollins and Velasco find a key clue in a pile of neglected missing persons reports and discover they are dealing with a serial killer. | |||||||
| 502 | 8 | "Nightmares in Drill City" | Norberto Barba | Bryan Goluboff | November 11, 2021 | 2308 | 3.71[15] |
| Carisi asks SVU for help with a murder investigation when one of the witnesses (Alison Thornton) shows signs of abuse which causes Benson and SVU to investigate. | |||||||
| 503 | 9 | "People vs. Richard Wheatley" | Michael Smith | Teleplay by : Brendan Feeney & Monet Hurst-Mendoza & Candice Sanchez McFarlane Story by : Julie Martin & Warren Leight | December 9, 2021 | 2309 | 3.49[16] |
| Carisi tries Richard Wheatley (Dylan McDermott) for the murder of Kathy Stabler; Benson finds herself at odds with a friend when Barba (Raúl Esparza) agrees to take the case. | |||||||
| 504 | 10 | "Silent Night, Hateful Night" | Norberto Barba | Teleplay by : Julie Martin & Kathy Dobie & Warren Leight Story by : Warren Leight | January 6, 2022 | 2310 | 4.08[17] |
| The SVU is called in to help investigate a wave of hate crimes on Christmas Eve, assisting the Hate Crimes unit now lead by Declan Murphy (Donal Logue). Murphy wants to come to a resolution with Rollins about whether he wants to be in his daughter Jessie's life. | |||||||
| 505 | 11 | "Burning with Rage Forever" | Mary Lambert | Brianna Yellen & Brendan Feeney | January 13, 2022 | 2311 | 4.22[18] |
| A boy disappears after meeting up with an online gamer which soon leads to a deeper secret regarding his uncle Carlos Guzman (Christian Navarro). Benson suspects her son Noah is being bullied by a neighborhood teen and comes out with a secret of his own. | |||||||
| 506 | 12 | "Tommy Baker's Hardest Fight" | Ed Bianchi | Candice Sanchez McFarlane & Bryan Goluboff | January 20, 2022 | 2312 | 4.31[19] |
| When a popular fighter (Cole Doman) doesn't show up for the biggest bout of the year, Rollins and Velasco are drawn into a complicated web of secrets leading to the man's closeted sexuality. McGrath confides in Benson regarding his teenage daughter who is drinking and behaving erratically. | |||||||
| 507 | 13 | "If I Knew Then What I Know Now" | Juan J. Campanella | Teleplay by : Micharne Cloughley & Julie Martin Story by : Micharne Cloughley & Warren Leight | February 24, 2022 | 2313 | 5.15[20] |
| A young woman (Gates Leonard) learning about her birth parents asks Benson for help. Carisi and Rollins weigh the risks of taking their relationship public. | |||||||
| 508 | 14 | "Video Killed the Radio Star" | Alex Zakrzewski | Teleplay by : Denis Hamill & Monet Hurst-Mendoza Story by : Warren Leight & Julie Martin | March 3, 2022 | 2314 | 4.50[21] |
|
SVU investigates a popular radio show host (Jake Weber) for rape and murder; Rollins goes undercover. The episode is dedicated to the memory of Ned Eisenberg. | |||||||
| 509 | 15 | "Promising Young Gentlemen" | David Grossman | Teleplay by : Kathy Dobie & Candice Sanchez McFarlane & Brianna Yellen Story by : Julie Martin & Warren Leight | March 10, 2022 | 2315 | 4.51[22] |
| After leaving a dinner party where Rollins meets Carisi's mother (Beverly D'Angelo) for the first time, Carisi's niece Mia (Ryann Shane) calls him up and says that her friend (Avery Cole) was raped and encourages her to report it which leads Benson to investigate a college's secret society that preys on female students. | |||||||
| 510 | 16 | "Sorry If It Got Weird for You" | Leslie Hope | Teleplay by : Brendan Feeney & Matt Klypka Story by : Bryan Goluboff & Brendan Feeney | March 17, 2022 | 2316 | 4.71[23] |
| After a date where Velasco meets a woman (Christine Spang) through a dating app, Velasco discovers she is a rape victim. She later learns her abuser, the app's creator (Jon Glaser) had raped another woman a couple years prior, the victim's godmother (Sherri Saum) and later struggles to cope with the abuse when she takes matters into her own hands. Meanwhile, Velasco's experience as a detective is put into question. | |||||||
| 511 | 17 | "Once Upon a Time in El Barrio" | Oscar Rene Lozoya II | Teleplay by : Denis Hamill & Monet Hurst-Mendoza Story by : Bryan Goluboff & Denis Hamill | April 7, 2022 | 2317 | 4.33[24] |
| 512 | 18 | "Eighteen Wheels a Predator" | Martha Mitchell | Teleplay by : Brianna Yellen & Monet Hurst-Mendoza Story by : Kathy Dobie | April 14, 2022 | 2318 | 4.74[25] |
| 513 | 19 | "Tangled Strands of Justice" | Jean de Segonzac | Teleplay by : Warren Leight & Julie Martin Story by : Brendan Feeney | April 28, 2022 | 2319 | 4.89[26] |
| 514 | 20 | "Did You Believe in Miracles?" | TBA | TBA | May 5, 2022 | 2320 | TBD |
| 515 | 21 | "Confess Your Sins to Be Free" | TBA | TBA | May 12, 2022 | 2321 | TBD |
| 516 | 22 | "A Final Call at Forlini's Bar" | TBA | TBA | May 19, 2022 | 2322 | TBD |
Ratings
| No. | Title | Air date | Rating (18–49) | Viewers (millions) | DVR (18–49) | DVR viewers (millions) | Total (18–49) | Total viewers (millions) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1–2 | "And the Empire Strikes Back" / "Never Turn Your Back on Them" | September 23, 2021 | 0.8 | 5.57[9] | 0.4 | 1.81 | 1.2 | 7.39[27][lower-alpha 1] |
| 3 | "I Thought You Were on My Side" | September 30, 2021 | 0.7 | 4.66[10] | 0.3 | 1.61 | 1.1 | 6.27[28][lower-alpha 1] |
| 4 | "One More Tale of Two Victims" | October 7, 2021 | 0.6 | 3.88[11] | 0.4 | 1.79 | 1.1 | 5.67[29][lower-alpha 1] |
| 5 | "Fast Times @TheWheelHouse" | October 14, 2021 | 0.7 | 3.96[12] | 0.5 | 2.12 | 1.2 | 6.08[30] |
| 6 | "The Five Hundredth Episode" | October 21, 2021 | 0.6 | 3.89[13] | 0.6 | 2.42 | 1.2 | 6.31[31] |
| 7 | "They'd Already Disappeared" | November 4, 2021 | 0.7 | 4.42[14] | TBD | TBD | TBD | TBD |
| 8 | "Nightmares in Drill City" | November 11, 2021 | 0.6 | 3.71[15] | TBD | TBD | TBD | TBD |
| 9 | "People vs. Richard Wheatley" | December 9, 2021 | 0.6 | 3.49[16] | 0.6 | 2.58 | 1.1 | 6.06[32] |
| 10 | "Silent Night, Hateful Night" | January 6, 2022 | 0.6 | 4.08[17] | TBD | TBD | TBD | TBD |
| 11 | "Burning with Rage Forever" | January 13, 2022 | 0.7 | 4.22[18] | TBD | TBD | TBD | TBD |
| 12 | "Tommy Baker's Hardest Fight" | January 20, 2022 | 0.6 | 4.31[19] | TBD | TBD | TBD | TBD |
| 13 | "If I Knew Then What I Know Now" | February 24, 2022 | 0.7 | 5.15[20] | TBD | TBD | TBD | TBD |
| 14 | "Video Killed the Radio Star" | March 3, 2022 | 0.7 | 4.50[21] | TBD | TBD | TBD | TBD |
| 15 | "Promising Young Gentlemen" | March 10, 2022 | 0.7 | 4.51[22] | TBD | TBD | TBD | TBD |
| 16 | "Sorry If It Got Weird for You" | March 17, 2022 | 0.7 | 4.71[23] | TBD | TBD | TBD | TBD |
| 17 | "Once Upon a Time in El Barrio" | April 7, 2022 | 0.6 | 4.33[24] | TBD | TBD | TBD | TBD |
| 18 | "Eighteen Wheels a Predator" | April 14, 2022 | 0.6 | 4.74[25] | TBD | TBD | TBD | TBD |
| 19 | "Tangled Strands of Justice" | April 28, 2022 | 0.6 | 4.89[26] | TBD | TBD | TBD | TBD |
Notes
- Live+7 ratings were not available, so Live+3 ratings have been used instead.
References
- "Dick Wolf's Three "Chicago" Series and "Law & Order: Special Victims Unit" Receive Three-Season Pickups on NBC" (Press release). NBC. February 27, 2020 – via The Futon Critic.
- Ausiello, Michael (May 14, 2021). "NBC Fall Schedule: This Is Us Last Hurrah Pushed to 2022, All-L&O Thursdays, B99 Farewell Gets Olympics Launch, Zoey's and Good Girls MIA". TVLine.
- "NBC Sets Upcoming Premiere Dates" (Press release). NBC. July 15, 2021 – via The Futon Critic.
- Roots, Kimberly (21 October 2021). "Law & Order: SVU Episode 500 Recap: You've Come a Long Way, Benson". TV Line. Retrieved 23 October 2021.
- Lawler, Kelly (21 October 2021). "Spoiler alert! 'Law & Order: SVU' 500th episode dives into Benson's past, as former stars return". USA Today. Retrieved 23 October 2021.
- Hurley, Laura (June 11, 2021). "Law And Order: SVU Boss Is Already Planning For The 'Insane Milestone' 500th Episode". CinemaBlend.
- Petski, Denise (September 3, 2021). "Jamie Gray Hyder & Demore Barnes Exiting 'Law & Order: SVU' In Season 23". Deadline Hollywood.
- "LAW & ORDER: SPECIAL VICTIMS UNIT (NBC)". The Futon Critic. Retrieved May 3, 2022.
- Metcalf, Mitch (September 24, 2021). "SHOWBUZZDAILY's Thursday 9.23.2021 Top 150 Cable Originals & Network Finals UPDATED". Showbuzz Daily.
- Metcalf, Mitch (October 4, 2021). "SHOWBUZZDAILY's Thursday 9.30.2021 Top 150 Cable Originals & Network Finals UPDATED". Showbuzz Daily.
- Metcalf, Mitch (October 8, 2021). "SHOWBUZZDAILY's Thursday 10.7.2021 Top 150 Cable Originals & Network Finals UPDATED". Showbuzz Daily.
- Metcalf, Mitch (October 15, 2021). "SHOWBUZZDAILY's Thursday 10.14.2021 Top 150 Cable Originals & Network Finals UPDATED". Showbuzz Daily. Retrieved October 15, 2021.
- Metcalf, Mitch (October 22, 2021). "SHOWBUZZDAILY's Thursday 10.21.2021 Top 150 Cable Originals & Network Finals UPDATED". Showbuzz Daily. Retrieved October 22, 2021.
- Metcalf, Mitch (November 5, 2021). "SHOWBUZZDAILY's Thursday 11.4.2021 Top 150 Cable Originals & Network Finals UPDATED". Showbuzz Daily. Retrieved November 5, 2021.
- Metcalf, Mitch (November 12, 2021). "SHOWBUZZDAILY's Thursday 11.11.2021 Top 150 Cable Originals & Network Finals". Showbuzz Daily. Retrieved November 12, 2021.
- Metcalf, Mitch (December 10, 2021). "SHOWBUZZDAILY's Thursday 12.9.2021 Top 150 Cable Originals & Network Finals". Showbuzz Daily. Retrieved December 10, 2021.
- Metcalf, Mitch (January 10, 2022). "SHOWBUZZDAILY's Thursday 1.6.2021 Top 150 Cable Originals & Network Finals". Showbuzz Daily. Retrieved January 10, 2022.
- Metcalf, Mitch (January 14, 2022). "ShowBuzzDaily's Top 150 Thursday Top 150 Cable Originals & Network Finals: 1.13.2022 Updated". Showbuzz Daily. Retrieved January 14, 2022.
- Metcalf, Mitch (January 24, 2022). "ShowBuzzDaily's Top 150 Thursday Top 150 Cable Originals & Network Finals: 1.20.2022 Updated". Showbuzz Daily. Retrieved January 24, 2022.
- Metcalf, Mitch (February 25, 2022). "ShowBuzzDaily's Thursday 2.24.2022 Top 150 Cable Originals & Network Finals Updated". Showbuzz Daily. Retrieved February 28, 2022.
- Metcalf, Mitch (March 4, 2022). "Showbuzzdaily's Top 150 Thursday's Cable Originals & Network Finals: 3.3.2022". Showbuzz Daily. United States. Archived from the original on March 4, 2022. Retrieved March 4, 2022.
- Metcalf, Mitch (March 11, 2022). "ShowBuzzDaily's Thursday 3.10.2022 Top 150 Cable Originals & Network Finals Updated". Showbuzz Daily. Retrieved March 11, 2022.
- Metcalf, Mitch (March 18, 2022). "ShowBuzzDaily's Thursday 3.17.2022 Top 150 Cable Originals & Network Finals Updated". Showbuzz Daily. Retrieved March 18, 2022.
- Metcalf, Mitch (April 8, 2022). "ShowBuzzDaily's Thursday 4.7.2022 Top 150 Cable Originals & Network Finals Updated". Showbuzz Daily. Retrieved April 8, 2022.
- Metcalf, Mitch (April 15, 2022). "ShowBuzzDaily's Thursday 4.14.2022 Top 150 Cable Originals & Network Finals Updated". Showbuzz Daily. Retrieved April 15, 2022.
- Metcalf, Mitch (April 29, 2022). "ShowBuzzDaily's Thursday 4.28.2022 Top 150 Cable Originals & Network Finals Updated". Showbuzz Daily. Retrieved April 29, 2022.
- Berman, Marc (September 24, 2021). "Thursday Ratings: 'Law & Order: SVU' and 'Law & Order: Organized Crime' Leads NBC to Victory". Programming Insider.
- Berman, Marc (October 1, 2021). "Thursday Ratings: NBC Leads Opposite ABC's Season-Opening Episodes". Programming Insider.
- Berman, Marc (October 8, 2021). "Thursday Ratings: NFL on Fox Wins; Modest Opening for CBS Sitcom 'Ghosts'; 'Grey's Anatomy' on ABC is Showing Its Age". Programming Insider.
- Berman, Marc (October 15, 2021). "Thursday Ratings: NFL Ignited Fox Wins; Sluggish Returns for Sitcom 'B Positive' on CBS and Drama 'Legacies' on The CW". Programming Insider. Retrieved November 7, 2021.
- Berman, Marc (October 22, 2021). "Thursday Ratings: NFL Leads Fox to Victory; Sluggish Return for NBC's 'The Blacklist'". Programming Insider. Retrieved November 6, 2021.
- Marc Berman (December 10, 2021). "Thursday Ratings: Football Dominates; CBS and NBC Finish in the Distant No. 2 Spot". Programming Insider. Retrieved December 20, 2021.
This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.