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‘Law & Order: SVU’ Cast Now & Then: Photos of Mariska Hargitay & More

By:
May 14, 2026 2:38PM EDT
'Law & Order: SVU' Cast Now & Then: Photos of Mariska Hargitay & More
Virginia Sherwood/NBC

‘Law & Order: Special Victims’ is the longest-running live-action show in history. See photos of the cast over the years.

Law & Order: Special Victims Unit is approaching its 28th season on the air after season 27 airs in May 2026. The show is now the longest-running primetime live-action series.

SVU premiered in 1999 and has become a phenomenon. The show currently stars Mariska Hargitay as Captain Olivia Benson, Ice-T as Detective Fin Tutuola, Kelli Giddish as Detective Amanda Rollins, Peter Scanavino as Detective Sonny Carisi and more.

Mariska has been on the show since the first season, and the series previously starred Christopher Meloni, Diane Neal, Stephanie March, Danny Pino, Tamara Tunie, Raúl Esparza and more.

See more photos of the cast of Law & Order: SVU over the years in our gallery below.

1 of 10

‘Law & Order: Special Victim’s Unit’ Season 1 Cast

‘Law & Order: Special Victim’s Unit’ Season 1 Cast
Chris Haston/NBC

The series debuted on Sept. 20, 1999. The show starred Dean Winters as Detective Brian Cassidy, Dann Florek as Captain Donald Cragen, Mariska Hargitay as Detective Olivia Benson, Christopher Meloni as Detective Elliot Stabler, Michelle Hurd as Detective Monique Jefferies, and Richard Belzer as Detective John Munch.

September 26, 2019, 3:53PM
2 of 10

Mariska Hargitay

Mariska Hargitay
Virginia Sherwood/NBC

Mariska Hargitay plays the one and only Det. Olivia Benson. She has been on the show since the very first season.

September 26, 2019, 3:53PM
3 of 10

Ice-T

Ice-T
Virginia Sherwood/NBC

Ice-T plays Det. Fin Tutuola. Ice-T joined the show in season 2.

September 26, 2019, 3:53PM
4 of 10

Kelli Giddish

Kelli Giddish
Virginia Sherwood/NBC

Kelli Giddish plays Det. Amanda Rollins. Kelli joined the cast in season 13.

September 26, 2019, 3:53PM
5 of 10

Peter Scanavino

Peter Scanavino
Virginia Sherwood/NBC

Peter Scanavino plays Det. Sonny Carisi. He joined the cast in season 16.

September 26, 2019, 3:53PM
6 of 10

Mariska Hargitay & Christopher Meloni

Mariska Hargitay & Christopher Meloni
Universal Tv/Kobal/Shutterstock

Mariska Hargitay and Christopher Meloni formed an unbreakable bond as Olivia Benson and Elliot Stabler. They are the ultimate dynamic duo.

September 26, 2019, 3:53PM
7 of 10

Christopher Meloni

Christopher Meloni
Universal Tv/Kobal/Shutterstock

Christopher Meloni played Elliot Stabler. He exited the series at the end of season 12.

September 26, 2019, 3:53PM
8 of 10

Dan Florek

Dan Florek
Will Hart/Universal Tv/Kobal/Shu

Dan Florek played Capt. Dan Cragen. He starred on the show from season 1 to 15. He had previously starred on ‘Law & Order.’

September 26, 2019, 3:53PM
9 of 10

B.D. Wong

B.D. Wong
Universal Tv/Kobal/Shutterstock

B.D. Wong starred as Dr. George Huang, a forensic psychiatrist. He joined the show in season 2. His last appearance was in season 17.

September 26, 2019, 3:53PM
10 of 10

Ice-T & Richard Belzer

Ice-T & Richard Belzer
Universal Tv/Kobal/Shutterstock

Ice-T & Richard Belzer’s Fin & Munch were partners at one point. Richard Belzer was one of the original cast members. He was a main cast member from season 1 to 15. His last appearance was in season 17.

September 26, 2019, 3:53PM