Law & Order: Special Victims Unit

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Law & Order: Special Victims Unit (often abbreviated as SVU) is an American police procedural and legal drama television series created by Dick Wolf for NBC. The first spin-off of Law & Order, it stars Mariska Hargitay as Olivia Benson, the lead detective of the Special Victims Unit in a fictionalized version of the New York City Police Department. The series premiered on September 20, 1999, and has since become one of the longest-running primetime television series in the United States.

Premise[edit | edit source]

The series focuses on the detectives of the Special Victims Unit, a specialized division of the NYPD that investigates crimes involving sexual assault, child abuse, and domestic violence. The show follows the detectives as they work to solve these cases, often dealing with complex legal and emotional issues. The series also explores the personal lives of the detectives, particularly Olivia Benson, who has been a central character since the show's inception.

Main Characters[edit | edit source]

Olivia Benson (Mariska Hargitay): The commanding officer of the Special Victims Unit. Benson is a dedicated and compassionate detective who often goes above and beyond to help victims.
Elliot Stabler (Christopher Meloni): Benson's original partner, who left the series in season 12 but returned in season 22.
John Munch (Richard Belzer): A detective who transferred from the Baltimore Police Department's Homicide: Life on the Street.
Fin Tutuola (Ice-T): A former narcotics detective who brings a unique perspective to the team.
Amanda Rollins (Kelli Giddish): A detective from Atlanta who joins the team in season 13.
Dominick Carisi (Peter Scanavino): A detective who later becomes an assistant district attorney.

Production[edit | edit source]

Law & Order: Special Victims Unit was created by Dick Wolf and is produced by Wolf Entertainment and Universal Television. The series has been praised for its handling of sensitive topics and its strong performances, particularly by Mariska Hargitay, who has won several awards for her role.

Reception[edit | edit source]

The series has received critical acclaim and has been nominated for numerous awards, including Primetime Emmy Awards. Mariska Hargitay has won a Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series for her role as Olivia Benson. The show has also been praised for its portrayal of real-life issues and its impact on public awareness of sexual assault and domestic violence.