Premieres: September 21
Airs: Wednesdays, 10pm ET/PT
Network: NBC
Who Is In It? Mariska Hargitay , Ice-T, Kelli Giddish, Danny Pino, Richard Belzer, Dann Florek, B.D. Wong
Where We Left Off: A shootout in the squad room left recurring character Sister Peg dead, and Stabler (Christopher Meloni) having to deal with killing the shooter, a young girl looking to avenge her mother’s murder.
What to Expect: It took SVU long enough, but for its 13th season, it’s finally echoing its namesake’s pattern of replacing the lead stars. Meloni has exited while Mariska Hargitay has a much reduced role, making way for two new detectives to walk the ripped-from-the-headlines beat. They’ll be played by Kelli Giddish and Danny Pino.
Official Law & Order: SVU Site
Where We Left Off: Benson (Mariska Hargitay) saved Stabler’s (Christopher Meloni) life when disgraced CSU technician Dale Stuckey (Noel Fisher) tried to murder him.
What to Expect: After four episodes by Lahti (there may be more later) as new, no-nonsense Assistant District Attorney Sonya Paxton, Stephanie March reprises her popular role as ADA Alex Cabot for 10 more episodes (Michaela McManus’ Kim Greylek is gone). Guest stars this season include Wentworth Miller (Prison Break) as a maverick cop, Eric McCormack, Leann Hunley and Melissa Farman (Lost), plus “an Oscar-nominated actor in episode three,” reveals executive producer Neal Baer.
What to Expect: Season 12 brings some changes, with the beloved squad room going away for reasons still not spelled out. Paula Patton (Precious) is the new ADA, and returning guest stars include Gloria Reuben and Marcia Gay Harden. Also look for appearances by Joan Cusack and Maria Bello.
