‘Law & Order: SVU’: 9 Surprising Facts About The Iconic Criminal Procedural Series

NBC’s successful Law & Order franchise has spawned more than half a dozen spin-off series, but none have captured the audience’s hearts quite like Law & Order: Special Victims Unit. As the cornerstone of the franchise, it’s the only spin-off still in production, with new series like Law & Order: Organized Crime set to premiere soon. Over its 22 seasons, SVU has amassed nearly 100 award nominations, and despite being on the air since 1999, it still holds some secrets that might surprise even its most dedicated fans.

The Birth of a Television Phenomenon

Law & Order: Special Victims Unit first aired on September 20, 1999, as the second series in the Law & Order universe. Based in the same world and timeline as the original Law & Order show, which ended in 2010, SVU follows Captain Olivia Benson (Mariska Hargitay) and her elite team of detectives at the New York City Police Department. They tackle especially dark crimes, focusing on sexual violence, domestic abuse, and rape—subjects that the main show didn’t emphasize as much.

The current 22nd season, which premiered in the winter of 2020, made television history. According to Parade magazine, “Law & Order: Special Victims Unit is now the longest-running primetime live-action show on television ever, and its star, Hargitay’s Benson, is the longest-running character.” With the show renewed through Season 24, it seems poised to keep breaking records.

Five Surprising Facts About the Show’s Production and Viewership

: Law & Order: SVU is not only the longest-running show on TV but also a record-breaker in episode count. By the end of season 22, SVU will have become the fourth scripted primetime American TV series to cross the 500-episode mark, joining Lassie, Gunsmoke, and The Simpsons.

Pandemic Production Strategies

: The previous season ended abruptly due to the COVID-19 pandemic interrupting filming. To prevent similar disruptions, the show has adopted new production strategies, including remote rehearsals via Zoom.

Global Reach

: The series has an unusually large international reach, having been seen in more than 230 territories around the world, including Turkmenistan, Macau, Vatican City, and even Antarctica.

Easter Eggs for Fans

: The show often sneaks in clues and Easter eggs for eagle-eyed fans. This includes episode titles and show notes. For instance, during several seasons, including season 21, the length of each episode’s title aligned with the number of the season.

Origins in True Crime

: The show’s dark stories date back to its origin. The idea for the spin-off came from the infamous ‘Preppy Murder’ case in 1986, which made global headlines when a young woman’s body was found in Central Park.

Four Surprising Facts About the Show’s Actors and History

Franchise Veteran

: The first actor cast for Law & Order: SVU was Dann Florek, who had previously played Captain Don Cragen in the 1988 pilot of the original series.

Historical Longevity

: The show has been running so long that it has outlasted four U.S. presidential administrations and three different Catholic popes.

Fan Influence

: Fans have more sway than they might realize. For example, Detective Fin Tutuola (played by rapper and actor Ice-T) was initially supposed to guest star for only four episodes but proved so popular that he has remained on the show since his season two debut.

Impact on Hargitay

: The show has left a lasting impact on lead star Hargitay, who became a rape crisis counselor and created a foundation to assist survivors during the show’s run. She believes the show has given people permission to talk about sexual violence more openly, saying, “I started getting letters from survivors, many of them saying, ‘Your show saved my life. I’ve never told anyone this before.’”

Law & Order: Special Victims Unit continues to be a groundbreaking series, addressing pressing social issues while delivering compelling and unforgettable characters. With stars like Hargitay and Scanavino at the helm, the show’s legacy is secure, ensuring its place in television history for years to come.