Law & Order: SVU Returns This Week

 

From l to r: Dann Florek, Richard Belzer, Danny Pino, Mariska Hargitay,  Ice-T., and  Kelli Giddish

On Wednesday September 21st, the 13th season opener of Law & Order: SVU debuts. The upcoming season is one of transition as the long-running drama will be without the services of Christopher Meloni (Det. Elliot Stabler) and B.D. Wong (Dr. George Huang). Meloni's departure is because his contract negotiations fell through and Wong left to become a regular on the upcoming NBC midseason replacement series Awake. Joining the show as the two new detectives are Danny Pino (Det. Nick Amaro) and Kelli Giddish (Det. Amanda Rollins). No word yet on how Wong's character will be replaced.

Due to the departure of Meloni, some fans have already said they're done with Law & Order: SVU. I'm not one of them. As much as I enjoyed Meloni's work on the show, I'm intrigued to see how the new season unfolds. In addition to seeing what Pino and Giddish bring to the show, it's going to be interesting to see how Det. Olivia Benson (Mariska Hargitay) deals with the absence of her longtime partner Elliot. Also, former cast members Stephanie March (ADA Alexandra Cabot) and Diane Neal (ADA Casey Novak) are returning this season too!

For those who are bailing on L&O: SVU because of the cast changes, I say give it a chance. For sure, the show won't be the same with Meloni and Wong. However, not being the same doesn't mean the show won't be any good.  

Update: I forgot to add that one of the best actors in the business may be joining L&O: SVU in a recurring role. According to reports multiple Emmy winner Andre Braugher (Homicide: Life on the Street and Men of a Certain Age) is currently in negotiations to play an attorney for the underprivileged on the show. 

Below is a sneak preview containing scenes from the upcoming season and interviews with many of the cast members