While Law & Order: SVU’s Olivia Benson (Mariska Hargitay) will have a full team for season 26, an important character is missing. For the past several seasons, Benson has been incredibly short-staffed, using rotating team members who have been on loan from the Bronx SVU or other law enforcement organizations. However, Benson’s SVU team for Law & Order: SVU season 26 includes four detectives who are permanently part of the unit, which opens the door for new storyline possibilities.

The people who are not included in the team are as significant as those who are. Some major casting news includes the fact that one of Law & Order: SVU‘s saddest episodes will not be reversed, as Amanda Rollins (Kelli Giddish) is not returning for season 26. Newcomer Renee Curry (Aimé Donna Kelly), who transferred from IAB to SVU during season 25, is also not coming back, with no explanation given so far. There is one other omission that is even more disappointing because they are confirmed to return.

Carisi Is Missing From Benson’s New Team Photo For Law & Order: SVU Season 26

Peter Scanavino Is Confirmed To Return, Which Makes His Benson Team Photo Absence More Intriguing

Carisi at his desk in SVU Erin Lindsay and Dominic Carisi in Law & Order and Chicago PD crossover Amanda Rollins sleeping on Sonny Carisi's shoulder law and order svu Peter Scanavino as Assistant District Attorney Sonny Carisi Kelli Giddish as Detective Amanda Rollins Olivia Benson and Dominic Carisi in Law & Order_ SVU

The new team photo for Law & Order season 26 doesn’t include Sonny Carisi (Peter Scanavino). Carisi has been a part of Law & Order: SVU since season 13, when he arrived as a rookie detective who was not used to the highly disturbing nature of SVU cases. However, he is better known as an assistant district attorney, as he got his law license and transferred to the legal side of SVU cases in season 21.


Carisi might not have been included in the photo because he technically is not part of Benson’s team in Law & Order: SVU. The prosecutorial side of the series is supposed to be separate from the police, as stated in the introduction to each episode. However, Carisi works closely with the SVU team and occasionally fills in on the police side when needed. Additionally, the iconic image during the opening titles includes the cops and DAs walking together, making it concerning that Carisi is not included in the photo.

Why Carisi Is The Most important Member Of Benson’s Law & Order: SVU Team

As An Attorney With Previous SVU Experience, Carisi Is Well-Positioned To Ensure Survivors Get Justice

Law & Order SVU Carisi standing in the courtroom making a presentation

The best Law & Order: SVU episodes involve court cases where the ADA cannot win as easily as the police would like them to. While there have been several ADAs, Carisi is unique because he has had experience as a cop who worked for the unit before becoming a lawyer. Thus, he understands the challenges involved in arresting and prosecuting sexual offenders better than anyone else and has a strong understanding of how these crimes affect victims.

Cast changes are inevitable after 26 seasons. Despite this, losing Carisi will be detrimental to Law & Order: SVU. No other ADA would have the experience he does, so a new ADA wouldn’t be as effective as he has been. Additionally, Carisi’s marriage to Rollins means that if he leaves, there is less of a reason to include Giddish’s fan-favorite character in further guest appearances. Ideally, Carisi would have been part of Benson’s Law & Order: SVU season 26 class photo, but at least he’s confirmed to return when the procedural comes back this fall.