Has ‘Law and Order: SVU’ Already Written Out Octavio Pisano and Juliana Martinez Following a Surprise Shakeup?

Changes Afoot in NBC’s Lineup

I remember sipping my morning coffee when I stumbled across the news that Octavio Pisano and Juliana Martinez are bidding farewell to their roles. It kind of felt like the end of an era, especially since Pisano joined back in season 23 and Martinez came on board more recently in season 26. The duo’s departure marks a significant shift for fans who have followed their journeys on the show.

The season 26 finale left viewers with a bit of a puzzle. In the episode, Velasco, played by Pisano, was promoted to detective second grade-a moment of triumph shared with his SVU team. Benson, portrayed by Mariska Hargitay, and her colleagues celebrated this milestone before diving into a fresh case. But what was missing was an explanation about why Velasco and Silva (Martinez) are leaving before the curtain rises on season 27.

The announcement about their departure wasn’t much of a surprise to some die-hard fans, but it does leave one wondering how the writers will handle their exit. Meanwhile, there’s a silver lining for those missing Kelli Giddish‘s Rollins-she’s returning full-time for the next season after popping in for guest appearances throughout seasons 25 and 26.

Law & Order: SVU, which first hit screens back in 1999, has long been a staple in the realm of crime dramas. Starring Hargitay, Ice T, Peter Scanavino, and Kevin Kane, it portrays detectives tackling challenging cases. Over the years, it’s seen many faces come and go, but it seems that it’s still going strong.

However, this isn’t just about who’s coming or going on SVU. NBC’s recent programming shakeup-perhaps “shakeup” is too mild a term given the sweeping changes-has fans talking. A new chapter begins as they pivot towards sports with an 11-year deal with the NBA. This massive agreement involves airing up to 100 regular-season games annually across multiple platforms, including Peacock and Telemundo.

The network’s president of program planning strategy, Jeff Bader, provided some insight into these changes during recent discussions with reporters. He mentioned that there were tough decisions to make regarding which shows to keep and which to cut based on their weekly performance metrics. According to him, “In the fall, the NBA is a huge priority for us.” You can read more about NBC’s strategic moves over at The Guardian.

So while Velasco and Silva’s departures may leave some gaps on our screens, there’s no shortage of excitement ahead with Rollins’ return and new leadership from Michele Fazekas, the series’ first female showrunner.

The landscape might be shifting rapidly under NBC’s banner, but its capacity for reinvention-like that fan said-is like a soap opera that keeps unfolding with unexpected twists.

For more context, see this BBC Entertainment overview.