Kara Sears
Law & Order: Special Victims Unit (SVU) is a hard-hitting and emotional series that chronicles the life and crimes of the Special Victims Unit of the New York City Police Department. The series follows an elite squad of detectives who investigate sexually based crimes. The show is acclaimed for its gripping narratives, robust cast, and authentic depiction of sensitive issues. It is the longest-running primetime drama in the history of American television, with 26 seasons available to stream on Peacock. Hulu also has every episode available to stream. If you're wondering where to start watching, some recommend starting from Season 3 or 5 to get a sense of the show's evolution, while others suggest starting from the beginning to understand the underlying storylines and character backgrounds.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| First aired | 20 September 1999 |
| Current season | 26 |
| Total number of seasons | 26 |
| Total number of episodes | 573 |
| Longest-running primetime live-action series on American television | Yes |
| Day of the week | Thursdays |
| Time | 9/8c |
| Streaming service | Peacock |
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What You'll Learn
Season 26 of Law & Order: SVU aired in 2025
As of May 2025, Law & Order: SVU has aired 573 original episodes, making it one of the longest-running primetime scripted TV shows ever. The series premiered on September 20, 1999, and there hasn't been a single year since without a new episode.
The long-running series has seen several cast changes over the years, with the most recent seasons featuring Captain Olivia Benson (Mariska Hargitay) leading a squad that includes Sergeant Odafin "Fin" Tutuola (Ice-T), Amanda Rollins (Kelli Giddish), and ADA Dominick "Sonny" Carisi Jr. (Peter Scanavino).
Season 26 of Law & Order: SVU continued the show's tradition of high-stakes drama and intense storylines. The fall finale, for example, saw Captain Benson fighting to save Carisi from a harrowing hostage situation, with Rollins called in for backup. The season also introduced new squad members and featured gripping criminal chases and courtroom showdowns.
While there is no confirmation yet, fans can expect that the show will continue with new episodes, as it remains one of NBC's top shows with a dedicated fan base.
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SVU is the longest-running TV show in the franchise
Law & Order: Special Victims Unit (SVU) is the longest-running TV show in the Law & Order franchise. The series premiered on September 20, 1999, and has since aired 573 original episodes as of May 15, 2025, surpassing the episode count of the original Law & Order series. The show's longevity can be attributed to its compelling characters, engaging storylines, and ability to reflect real-world issues.
SVU is a police procedural crime drama that focuses on sexually-based offenses. The show follows the detectives of the Special Victims Unit in the New York City Police Department as they investigate and prosecute these crimes. The series was created by Dick Wolf, who wanted to develop complex and multifaceted characters. One of the main characters, Olivia Benson, is a child of rape, and her work with the Special Victims Unit is a way for her to right the wrongs of her own life. The show also stars Elliot Stabler, a typical family man and a detective in the unit.
Over the years, SVU has undergone various cast changes and storylines that have kept the show fresh and engaging. Actors such as Christopher Meloni, Mariska Hargitay, Ice-T, and Kelli Giddish have portrayed beloved characters and received recognition for their performances. The show has been nominated for numerous awards, including Emmy and Golden Globe Awards, with Hargitay winning a Golden Globe in 2005 and an Emmy in 2006.
In addition to its critical acclaim, SVU has also achieved significant milestones. The show aired its 500th episode during its 23rd season in 2021. As of 2025, the show is in its 26th season, with no signs of stopping. SVU has become a staple of the Law & Order franchise, and its enduring success has led to the creation of other spin-offs, such as "Law & Order: Organized Crime."
SVU's long-running success can be attributed to its ability to reflect real-world issues and engage audiences with its compelling storylines and characters. The show has become a cultural phenomenon, with its popularity spanning across different regions and demographics. With its continuous production and ever-growing fan base, SVU continues to be a flagship series in the Law & Order franchise.
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SVU has had 24 Emmy nominations and 6 wins
Law & Order: SVU has been on the air since 1999, and its 26th season is currently airing on NBC. The show has had 24 Emmy nominations and won 6 of them. The series is a spin-off of the crime drama, Law & Order, and centres on the detectives of the Special Victims Unit in the fictional 16th Precinct of the New York City Police Department.
SVU has had a number of notable nominations and wins at the Emmy Awards over the years. Mariska Hargitay, who portrays Detective Olivia Benson, has been nominated multiple times for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series, winning the Emmy in 2006. Hargitay also won a Golden Globe in 2005 for Best Performance by an Actress in a Television Series – Drama.
In addition to Hargitay's wins, Ann-Margret won the Primetime Emmy in 2010 for Outstanding Guest Actress in a Drama Series for her portrayal of Rita Wills in the episode "Bedtime." Ellen Burstyn also won the Primetime Emmy in 2009 for Outstanding Guest Actress in a Drama Series for playing Bernadette Stabler in the episode "Swing."
Other notable Emmy nominations for SVU include Brianna Yellen, Kathy Dobie, and Monet Hurst-Mendoza, who were nominated in 2023 for Best Television Episode Teleplay for "Something Happened." Michael S. Chernuchin was also nominated in 2018 for Best Episode in a TV Series for "Something Happened."
SVU continues to be one of the longest-running primetime scripted TV shows, and its popularity has led to its renewal for multiple seasons. The show has had a significant impact on television and has received critical acclaim for its portrayal of crime and legal proceedings.
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SVU is a spin-off of the original Law & Order series
Law & Order: Special Victims Unit (often shortened to Law & Order: SVU or SVU) is an American police procedural crime drama television series. It is the first spin-off of the original Law & Order series, which was created by Dick Wolf. The series premiered on September 20, 1999, and has been on the air since. As of May 15, 2025, it has aired 573 original episodes, surpassing the episode count of the original Law & Order series.
The series follows Captain Olivia Benson (Mariska Hargitay), the commanding officer of the titular Special Victims Unit in a fictionalized version of the New York City Police Department. SVU is located within the 16th Precinct of the NYPD and focuses on victims of sexual crimes, such as rape, pedophilia, and domestic abuse. The unit also handles cases involving children, the elderly, and the handicapped who are victims of non-sexual crimes but require specialist handling.
The series often takes inspiration from real-life crimes, with some episodes being loosely based on crimes that have received media attention. These episodes take a real crime and fictionalize it by changing some details. SVU has also explored political and societal issues associated with gender identity, sexual preferences, and equality rights.
The success of the original Law & Order series, which ran from 1990 to 2010, led to the creation of SVU as the first spin-off in 1999. Since then, there have been multiple other spin-offs and adaptations of the original series, including Law & Order: Criminal Intent, Law & Order: Organized Crime, and Law & Order: True Crime. The franchise has also expanded into books, video games, and a TV film titled Exiled: A Law & Order Movie (1998).
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SVU first aired in 1999
The first season of Law & Order: SVU premiered on September 20, 1999, on NBC. The show is a police procedural drama and the first spin-off of Law & Order, expanding it into the Law & Order franchise. The series was created by Dick Wolf and stars Mariska Hargitay as Captain Olivia Benson, the commanding officer of the Special Victims Unit, and Christopher Meloni as Detective Elliot Stabler.
The first season of the show aired alongside season ten of Law & Order and concluded on May 19, 2000, after 22 episodes. The season introduced characters such as Donald Cragen, played by Dann Florek, and John Munch, played by Richard Belzer, who joined the cast from the original Law & Order series. Michelle Hurd also joined the cast as Monique Jeffries.
Since its debut in 1999, Law & Order: SVU has become one of the longest-running primetime scripted TV shows ever, with 26 seasons and counting. The show has received numerous award nominations and wins, including Emmy Awards and Golden Globe Awards.
As of May 15, 2025, Law & Order: SVU has aired 573 original episodes, surpassing the episode count of the original Law & Order series. The show has a dedicated fan base and continues to be a popular choice for viewers, with new episodes still being produced and released.
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Frequently asked questions
You can watch Law & Order: SVU on Hulu, Peacock, or NBC. Hulu offers a free trial for new and eligible returning subscribers.
There are currently 26 seasons of Law & Order: SVU.
Some viewers suggest that you start watching from Season 3 or 5 to get a sense of the show's evolution and the chemistry between the characters. However, others recommend starting from the beginning to understand the underlying storylines and character backgrounds.
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