The cast of Law & Order: SVU: Then and now

Catch up with Christopher Meloni, Mariska Hargitay, and more of your favorite members of the Special Victims Unit.
If you’re a fan of Law & Order: Special Victims Unit, you’ve been well-catered to for more than two decades. This groundbreaking police procedural has become one of the longest-running shows on television, and it has consistently entertained audiences with intriguing stories of crime and justice as well as compassionate characters.

There have been so many characters, in fact, that it’s hard to keep track of who they are and where the actors have been up to in recent years. Here is EW’s look back on the Law & Order: SVU cast, then and now.

Mariska Hargitay (Olivia Benson)

Mariska Hargitay’s Captain Olivia Benson has always been at the center of Law & Order: SVU, and after Christopher Meloni left the show, she became the de facto main character in a stacked ensemble cast. It’s been rewarding to see her grow from a junior detective into a police captain, much like how Hargitay transitioned from series regular to series lead. The role earned her a Primetime Emmy award, a Golden Globe win, and numerous other nominations.

Previously, Hargitay starred in the ‘80s series Downtown and Falcon Crest followed by minor appearances in shows like Seinfeld and Ellen, and she made a splash across 13 episodes of ER. She also had roles in the films Leaving Las Vegas (1995) and Lake Placid (1999).

After Law & Order: SVU began, the actress carried her Olivia Benson character over to shows like Chicago Fire and Chicago P.D. She got to explore her fun and adventurous side with a memorable turn in Saturday Night Live and in Taylor Swift’s “Bad Blood” music video (the singer even named her cat after the detective). But she has mostly been kept busy starring in SVU and making appearances in Law & Order: Organized Crime, where her character works once again with Elliot Stabler.

Hargitay has been married to actor Peter Hermann since 2004. They met on the set of SVU in 2002, where he played defense attorney Trevor Langan. The pair later reconnected when he continued to guest star in the series. They share three children.

Christopher Meloni (Elliot Stabler)

While Law & Order: SVU has an impressive ensemble cast, Christopher Meloni’s character Elliot Stabler — and his relationship with Mariska Hargitay’s Olivia Benson — arguably formed the heart and soul of the show. It’s certainly his most well-known role among critics and fans, even earning him a Primetime Emmy nomination in 2006.

Before SVU, Meloni notably appeared in Oz as Chris Keller, a role that later overlapped with his tenure as Stabler. He then continued to split his time between SVU and occasional films like Wet Hot American Summer (2001) and Harold and Kumar Go to White Castle (2004).

After SVU, Meloni leveraged his acting intensity in many TV shows, including roles in True Blood and The Handmaid’s Tale. He also became an active voice actor, lending his trademark pipes to Family Guy, American Dad, Rick and Morty, and Harley Quinn. Movie-wise, Meloni has appeared in Man of Steel (2013) and Snatched (2017).

Above all, though, Meloni is still known for Law & Order despite initially leaving SVU after season 12. He eventually returned to star in and produce Law & Order: Organized Crime, and reprised the role of Stabler for a recurring arc on SVU beginning in season 22.

The actor married production designer Doris Sherman Meloni in 1995. They share two children, a boy and a girl. SVU’s Mariska Hargitay is the godmother of his daughter.

Ice-T (Fin Tutuola)

Tracy Lauren Marrow, a.k.a. Ice-T, remains one of the most consistently appealing parts of Law & Order: SVU. His Sergeant Fin Tutuola is tough and no-nonsense, possessing street smarts that many of his colleagues lack, which often helps him crack cases that others can’t.

Before making waves as an actor, Ice-T was known for his rap music, releasing his debut album, Rhyme Pays, in 1987. The two-time Grammy winner’s sophomore venture, Power, went platinum the following year. He continued to make rap records while extending his reach into heavy metal, co-founding the group Body Count in 1990, which was another success. Ironically, he sparked much controversy with his 1992 track “Killer Cop” before stepping up to play one on SVU.

After a string of bit parts and cameos, Ice-T had his first major film role in 1991’s New Jack City (also as a cop). From there, he began a lifelong career of balancing his music with acting. He went on to appear in movies like New Jack City (1991), Surviving the Game (1994), Tank Girl (1995), and Johnny Mnemonic (1995). And while he explored other mediums (including voice work for video games like Borderlands 3), he is primarily known for Law & Order. Since then, he’s mostly made cameos as himself in Chappelle’s Show, Sesame Street, Hip-Hop Evolution, Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt, and more. You may have also heard his voice in UglyDolls (20