Law & Order: SVU recently offered a casting update that contains disappointing news about Amanda Rollins (Kelli Giddish). Rollins was part of the series from seasons 13 through 24, leaving halfway through her final season. She has made several guest appearances since she left to become a teacher, the last of which seemed to set up a return. Because of this and her close relationship with Mariska Hargitay, there was widespread speculation that she would be part of the Law & Order: SVU season 26 team.

Rollin’s exit was one of the saddest Law & Order: SVU episodes in recent memory. Although she was far from a model employee when she first began, she and Benson developed a close friendship. Naturally, Benson was devastated when Rollins left to take a teaching position. Thus, when Rollins quit her teaching job and tagged along on a Manhattan SVU case, it seemed to open the door for her return. However, Rollins’ return was never guaranteed, especially since the episode ended without Rollins being rehired. Still, it is disappointing that Rollins isn’t included in Benson’s new team.

Benson Gets A Full Team In Law & Order: SVU Season 26

Her Department Is Fully Staffed For The First Time In Years

Benson has had a lot of staffing problems after Rollins’ exit. Six months after Rollins left, newbie Grace Muncy (Molly Burnett) transferred out of the unit, and throughout the second half of season 24 and all of season 25, the Manhattan SVU captain has had a rotating team of temporary detectives from the Bronx SVU. Many of these detectives stayed for only a few episodes. The majority of detectives who came and went were female, making it feel as if Law & Order: SVU was trying to find the perfect Rollins replacement and ushering failures out the door.

Law & Order: SVU season 26 promises to reverse this trend, as Benson now has a full team. Not only is Bronx SVU alum Bruno (Kevin Kane) going to become a permanent part of the team with Benson, Fin, and Velasco, but a new female detective is joining the squad. This gives Benson four permanent detectives to work with, which means that the job Rollins could have taken during her last appearance is most likely filled now.

Can Rollins Still Appear In Law & Order: SVU Season 26 Despite Benson’s Team?

No Guest Appearances Have Been Announced Yet

Law & Order; SVU’s Rollins has made several guest appearances since the character left the squad, so there’s no reason she couldn’t return in this capacity again. She is still married to Sonny Carisi (Peter Scanavino), who is the main ADA working on various SVU cases. This leaves the door open for Rollins to come and go as the story demands. Thus, while the series has not yet announced any guest appearances for season 26, it’s possible that Rollins will return once again sometime during the year.

Rollins is a popular character, so it would be a mistake for Law & Order: SVU season 26 to completely eliminate her. It doesn’t appear she will be a series regular despite star Hargitay’s hope that the series would reverse its decision to write Rollins out. However, guest appearances are better than nothing, and those are still likely once the new year gets underway.

Law & Order: Special Victims Unit

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.

Cast

Christopher Meloni , Mariska Hargitay , Richard Belzer , Dann Florek , Michelle Hurd , Stephanie March , Ice-T , BD Wong , Diane Neal , Tamara Tunie , Adam Beach , Michaela McManus , Danny Pino , Kelli Giddish , Raúl Esparza , Peter Scanavino

Release Date

September 20, 1999

Seasons

24

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