Law & Order: SVU - The Ultimate Fan Guide

Law & Order’s most successful spinoff is still on the case. Why we can’t get enough of Benson, Fin and the entire Special Victims Unit on TV’s longest-running primetime drama! If 25 years ago, producer Dick Wolf had stuck with the original subtitle of his first Law & Order spinoff, which was inspired by the prosecution of “Preppy Killer” Robert Chambers, this story may not have been written. After all, recommending a show subtitled Sex Crimes to your parents might have elicited a certain “ick” factor. Luckily, that wasn’t a problem when the drama, retitled Special Victims Unit, premiered on September 20, 1999. Most critics praised the show, even with its “squirm-inducing cases,” and over 14 million viewers tuned in and became regular watchers despite the “heinous” crimes on display, to quote the show’s weekly opening prologue. By Season 4, SVU had come a household name, and its popularity has never wavered.

Law & Order: SVU - The Ultimate Fan Guide

25 YEARS OF SVU • Law & Order’s most successful spinoff is still on the case. Why we can’t get enough of Benson, Fin and the entire Special Victims Unit on TV’s longest-running primetime drama!

OLIVIA BENSON • With her big heart and unfailing fight for justice, the SVU captain is who victims want on their case—and perps regret coming up against

ELLIOT STABLER

ODAFIN TUTUOLA

AMANDA ROLLINS

NICK AMARO

WILLIAM DODDS

DONALD CRAGEN

JOHN MUNCH

CASEY NOVAK

ALEXANDRA CABOT

SONNY CARISI

RAFAEL BARBA

MELINDA WARNER

GEORGE HUANG

JOE VELASCO

TERRY BRUNO

NOAH BENSON

TOMMY MCGRATH

SERVICE RECORD • Over 25 seasons, the valiant detectives and sharp assistant district attorneys have clocked a lot of hours on the beat and in the courtroom. Below, we track most of the main characters, recurring faces and guest spots.

THE CASE FILES

ARRESTING DEVELOPMENT • After appearing in a lineup of short-lived series, Mariska Hargitay picks a winner with Law & Order: Special Victims Unit

THE LONG ARM OF THE LAW • Why can’t America get enough of Law & Order and its spinoffs? TV GUIDE MAGAZINE critic Matt Roush makes his case

WHAT MAKES SVU SO SPECIAL? • Dick Wolf, Chris Meloni and Mariska Hargitay tell us how their spinoff became a powerhouse

SVU SEXY VERDICT UNANIMOUS • Mariska Hargitay and Christopher Meloni are Law & Order’s hottest cops. Case closed!

Sparks Fly Between Stabler and…Beck

TALKING WITH… Christopher Meloni • In his seventh year playing Elliot Stabler on Law & Order: SVU, Christopher Meloni snagged his first Emmy nomination. We asked the 45-year-old newbie about finally getting recognized and what his costar (and three-time nominee) Mariska Hargitay had to say.

NEW YORKS FINEST • SVU celebrates its 200th episode with sensational guest stars, shocking revelations and a secret romance

PARTNERS FOR LIFE • THE IRRESISTIBLE CHEMISTRY BETWEEN CHRISTOPHER MELONI AND MARISKA HARGITAY FUELS SVU’S LONGRUNNING SUCCESS

Law & Order: SVU Loses Stabler

SVU: Who Will Be Benson’s New Partner?

NEW FACES ON SVU • Can anyone replace Christopher Meloni’s Elliot Stabler, longtime partner to Olivia Benson? After Meloni unexpectedly turned in his gun and badge this summer, two cops are ready to give it a try for the upcoming season this fall.

SVU’s New Cop Hits the Streets

Giddy for Giddish • Here’s what you need to know about the actress bringing Southern charm to the SVU squad as the new transfer from Atlanta, Det. Amanda Rollins.

LAW & ORDER: SVU

Law & Disorder

Order on the Set

Laying Down the LAW • Behind the scenes of the gripping two-part Law...