Law & Order: Special Victims Unit (season 23)

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Law & Order: Special Victims Unit
Season 23
Law and Order Special Victims Unit season 23 poster.jpg
Season 23 promotional poster
Starring
Country of originUnited States
No. of episodes9
Release
Original networkNBC
Original releaseSeptember 23, 2021 (2021-09-23) –
present (present)
Season chronology
← Previous
Season 22
List of episodes

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 2021–22 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]

Cast and characters[]

See also: List of Law & Order: Special Victims Unit characters

Main[]

Special guest stars[]

Crossover stars from Organized Crime[]

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

Episodes[]

See also: List of Law & Order: Special Victims Unit episodes
Law & Order: Special Victims Unit season 23 episodes
No.
overall		No. in
season		Title [8]Directed byWritten byOriginal air date [8]Prod.
code		U.S. viewers
(millions)
4951"And the Empire Strikes Back"Norberto BarbaWarren Leight & Julie Martin & Bryan GoluboffSeptember 23, 2021 (2021-09-23)23015.57[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 supicious car accident puts Benson's life in danger.
4962"Never Turn Your Back on Them"Norberto BarbaTeleplay by : Julie Martin & Bryan Goluboff
Story by : Warren Leight		September 23, 2021 (2021-09-23)23025.57[9]
The Special Victims Unit faces a major setback when one of the witness of Congressman Howard is missing. 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.
4973"I Thought You Were on My Side"John BehringTeleplay by : Julie Martin & Warren Leight
Story by : Bryan Goluboff		September 30, 2021 (2021-09-30)23034.66[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.
4984"One More Tale of Two Victims"Michael PressmanTeleplay by : Denis Hamill & Monet Hurst-Mendoza
Story by : Denis Hamill & Bryan Goluboff		October 7, 2021 (2021-10-07)23043.88[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.
4995"Fast Times @TheWheelHouse"Martha MitchellBrianna Yellen & Brendan FeeneyOctober 14, 2021 (2021-10-14)23053.96[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.
5006"The Five Hundredth Episode"Juan J. CampanellaTeleplay by : Brianna Yellen & Julie Martin
Story by : Brianna Yellen & Warren Leight		October 21, 2021 (2021-10-21)23063.89[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.
5017"They'd Already Disappeared"Bethany RooneyKathy Dobie & Micharne CloughleyNovember 4, 2021 (2021-11-04)23074.42[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.
5028"Nightmares in Drill City"Norberto BarbaBryan GoluboffNovember 11, 2021 (2021-11-11)23083.71[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.
5039"People vs. Richard Wheatley"Michael SmithTeleplay by : Brendan Feeney & Monet Hurst-Mendoza & Candice Sanchez McFarlane
Story by : Julie Martin & Warren Leight		December 9, 2021 (2021-12-09)23093.49[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.
50410"Silent Night, Hateful Night"[17]TBATBAJanuary 6, 2022 (2022-01-06)2310TBD
50511"Burning With Rage Forever"[18]TBATBAJanuary 13, 2022 (2022-01-13)TBATBD

Ratings[]

Viewership and ratings per episode of Law & Order: Special Victims Unit season 23
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 (2021-09-23) 0.8 5.57[9] 0.4 1.81 1.2 7.39[19][a]
3 "I Thought You Were on My Side" September 30, 2021 (2021-09-30) 0.7 4.66[10] 0.3 1.61 1.1 6.27[20][a]
4 "One More Tale of Two Victims" October 7, 2021 (2021-10-07) 0.6 3.88[11] 0.4 1.79 1.1 5.67[21][a]
5 "Fast Times @TheWheelHouse" October 14, 2021 (2021-10-14) 0.7 3.96[12] 0.5 2.12 1.2 6.08[22]
6 "The Five Hundredth Episode" October 21, 2021 (2021-10-21) 0.6 3.89[13] 0.6 2.42 1.2 6.31[23]
7 "They'd Already Disappeared" November 4, 2021 (2021-11-04) 0.7 4.42[14] TBD TBD TBD TBD
8 "Nightmares in Drill City" November 11, 2021 (2021-11-11) 0.6 3.71[15] TBD TBD TBD TBD
9 "People vs. Richard Wheatley" December 9, 2021 (2021-12-09) 0.6 3.49[16] 0.6 2.58 1.1 6.06[24]

Notes[]

  1. ^ a b c Live+7 ratings were not available, so Live+3 ratings have been used instead.

References[]

  1. ^ "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.
  2. ^ 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.
  3. ^ "NBC Sets Upcoming Premiere Dates" (Press release). NBC. July 15, 2021 – via The Futon Critic.
  4. ^ Roots, Kimberly (21 October 2021). "Law & Order: SVU Episode 500 Recap: You've Come a Long Way, Benson". TV Line. Retrieved 23 October 2021.
  5. ^ 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.
  6. ^ Hurley, Laura (June 11, 2021). "Law And Order: SVU Boss Is Already Planning For The 'Insane Milestone' 500th Episode". CinemaBlend.
  7. ^ Petski, Denise (September 3, 2021). "Jamie Gray Hyder & Demore Barnes Exiting 'Law & Order: SVU' In Season 23". Deadline Hollywood.
  8. ^ a b "LAW & ORDER: SPECIAL VICTIMS UNIT (NBC)". The Futon Critic. Retrieved December 29, 2021.
  9. ^ a b c Metcalf, Mitch (September 24, 2021). "SHOWBUZZDAILY's Thursday 9.23.2021 Top 150 Cable Originals & Network Finals UPDATED". Showbuzz Daily.
  10. ^ a b Metcalf, Mitch (October 4, 2021). "SHOWBUZZDAILY's Thursday 9.30.2021 Top 150 Cable Originals & Network Finals UPDATED". Showbuzz Daily.
  11. ^ a b Metcalf, Mitch (October 8, 2021). "SHOWBUZZDAILY's Thursday 10.7.2021 Top 150 Cable Originals & Network Finals UPDATED". Showbuzz Daily.
  12. ^ a b Metcalf, Mitch (October 15, 2021). "SHOWBUZZDAILY's Thursday 10.14.2021 Top 150 Cable Originals & Network Finals UPDATED". Showbuzz Daily. Retrieved October 15, 2021.
  13. ^ a b Metcalf, Mitch (October 22, 2021). "SHOWBUZZDAILY's Thursday 10.21.2021 Top 150 Cable Originals & Network Finals UPDATED". Showbuzz Daily. Retrieved October 22, 2021.
  14. ^ a b Metcalf, Mitch (November 5, 2021). "SHOWBUZZDAILY's Thursday 11.4.2021 Top 150 Cable Originals & Network Finals UPDATED". Showbuzz Daily. Retrieved November 5, 2021.
  15. ^ a b Metcalf, Mitch (November 12, 2021). "SHOWBUZZDAILY's Thursday 11.11.2021 Top 150 Cable Originals & Network Finals". Showbuzz Daily. Retrieved November 12, 2021.
  16. ^ a b Metcalf, Mitch (December 10, 2021). "SHOWBUZZDAILY's Thursday 12.9.2021 Top 150 Cable Originals & Network Finals". Showbuzz Daily. Retrieved December 10, 2021.
  17. ^ "(#2310) "SILENT NIGHT, HATEFUL NIGHT"". The Futon Critic. Retrieved December 21, 2021.
  18. ^ ""BURNING WITH RAGE FOREVER"". The Futon Critic. Retrieved December 29, 2021.
  19. ^ Berman, Marc (September 24, 2021). "Thursday Ratings: 'Law & Order: SVU' and 'Law & Order: Organized Crime' Leads NBC to Victory". Programming Insider.
  20. ^ Berman, Marc (October 1, 2021). "Thursday Ratings: NBC Leads Opposite ABC's Season-Opening Episodes". Programming Insider.
  21. ^ 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.
  22. ^ 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.
  23. ^ 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.
  24. ^ 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.
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