Law & Order: Special Victims Unit (1999)
The landmark NBC crime drama following New York City's elite squad of detectives dedicated to investigating sexually-based offenses.
Law & Order: Special Victims Unit - Series Information
- Original Title: Law & Order: Special Victims Unit
- First Air Year: 1999
- Last Air Year: 2026
- Created by: Dick Wolf
- Type: TV Series
- Genres: Crime, Drama, Mystery
- Content Rating (US): TV-14
- Number of Seasons: 27
- Number of Episodes: 589
- Status: Returning Series
- Original Language: English
- Spoken Languages: English
- First Air Date: September 20, 1999 (United States - TV-14), September 20, 1999 (Canada - 14+), September 20, 1999 (United Kingdom - 15), September 20, 1999 (Germany - 16), September 20, 1999 (France - 12), September 20, 1999 (India - U), September 20, 1999 (Australia - MA15+), September 20, 1999 (Brazil - 16), September 20, 1999 (Mexico - B-15), September 20, 1999 (Spain - 16)
- Networks: NBC
- Alternative Titles: New York : Unité spéciale (FR), Law & Order: 성범죄전담반 (KR), LAW & ORDER： 性犯罪特捜班 (JP), Law and Order: New York (DE), Lei & Ordem: UVE (BR), La Ley y el Orden: UVE (AR), قانون و نظم: واحد قربانیان ویژه (IR)
- Production Companies: Wolf Entertainment, Universal Television, Studios USA, Universal Media Studios
- Production Countries: United States of America
Law & Order: Special Victims Unit - Plot
In the criminal justice system, sexually-based offenses are considered especially heinous. In New York City, the dedicated detectives who investigate these vicious felonies are members of an elite squad known as the Special Victims Unit. These are their stories.
Law & Order: Special Victims Unit - Trailer
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Hope in the darkness.
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Law & Order: Special Victims Unit - Cast & Crew
Creator(s)
- Dick Wolf
Main Cast
- Mariska Hargitay
- Ice-T
- Dann Florek
- Richard Belzer
- Christopher Meloni
- Kelli Giddish
- Peter Scanavino
- BD Wong
- Tamara Tunie
- Raúl Esparza
Writers
- Julie Martin
- Warren Leight
- Denis Hamill
- Monet Hurst-Mendoza
- Kathy Dobie
Executive Producers
- Peter Jankowski
- Dick Wolf
- Warren Leight
- Neal Baer
- David J. Burke
Law & Order: Special Victims Unit - FAQs
Is Law & Order: SVU still going in 2025?
Yes, Law & Order: SVU is still in production and currently airing its 27th season on NBC. The series holds the record as the longest-running live-action primetime drama in American television history, with new episodes continuing to air as of 2025.
Where can you stream Law & Order: SVU?
Law & Order: SVU is available to stream on Hulu and Peacock Premium with a subscription. It can also be watched live via YouTube TV. Episodes are available to purchase on Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, and Fandango At Home. Spectrum On Demand offers free access for eligible subscribers.
Who plays Olivia Benson in Law & Order: SVU?
Olivia Benson is played by Mariska Hargitay, who has starred in the role since the series premiere in 1999. Hargitay won a Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series in 2006 for her portrayal of the iconic detective and squad commander.
How many seasons does Law & Order: SVU have?
Law & Order: SVU has 27 seasons, comprising 589 episodes in total. The show premiered on NBC on September 20, 1999, and continues to air new episodes, making it one of the most prolific drama series in the history of American primetime television.
Is Law & Order: SVU based on real cases?
Many SVU episodes are inspired by real-world crimes and high-profile cases, though storylines are fictionalized for dramatic purposes. Creator Dick Wolf has acknowledged drawing from actual news events and court cases to craft episodes, giving the series its distinctive ripped-from-the-headlines storytelling style.
Who created Law & Order: Special Victims Unit?
Law & Order: Special Victims Unit was created by Dick Wolf, the prolific television producer behind the entire Law & Order franchise. Wolf developed SVU as a spin-off focusing specifically on sex crimes, premiering it on NBC in 1999 as a companion to the original Law & Order series.
Did Law & Order: SVU win any major awards?
Yes, Law & Order: SVU has earned numerous accolades over its run. Mariska Hargitay won a Primetime Emmy for Outstanding Lead Actress in 2006, and the show has received multiple Emmy, Golden Globe, and Screen Actors Guild nominations throughout its history, cementing its status as a prestige crime drama.
What is the content rating for Law & Order: SVU?
Law & Order: SVU is rated TV-14 in the United States, indicating content that may be unsuitable for children under 14. The series deals with mature themes including sexual assault, domestic violence, sex trafficking, and other serious crimes, and parental guidance is strongly advised for younger viewers.
More About Law & Order: Special Victims Unit
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