‘SVU’ Fans Have A Lot to Say About Mariska Hargitay’s ‘Squad’ in Season 26 Teaser: ‘No More Family Feeling’
As one of the longest-running shows in television history, Law & Order: Special Victims Unit has amassed legions of devoted fans. Of course, those loyal viewers have very strong opinions about what should happen in their favorite series—and who should be starring in it.
With Season 26 on the horizon, people are clamoring for details about what's in store, but a recent Instagram post from Mariska Hargitay disappointed some. In a photo shared on August 5, Hargitay (as Captain Olivia Benson) poses alongside longtime co-star Ice-T (Odafin “Fin” Tutuola), Octavio Pisano, and Kevin Kane (returning as Detective Joe Velasco and Detective Terry Bruno, respectively). Also pictured is Juliana Aidén Martinez, who's joining the cast as a new detective.
"Back at it with my #Squad #SVU26," wrote Hargitay in the caption.
Even though Pisano and Kane aren't technically unfamiliar faces to SVU audiences, commenters complained about the absence of actors Kelli Giddish (Detective Amanda Rollins) and Peter Scanavino (ADA Dominick "Sonny" Carisi, Jr.), as well as other favorite characters.
"Looks like a bunch of strangers to me. No more family feeling," wrote one person.
"I agree. It's just not the same. There's no chemistry with these new people keep coming in and out. I do like Kevin Kline becoming a regular," said a second Instagram user.
"The what.. fifth change in the squad in 3 years ??. The revolving door cast is crazy. I miss what this show was so much," wrote a third commenter.
Still, other fans were excited about the lineup, with one person saying they'd "never seen a better looking group." It's also worth noting that just because certain actors weren't seen in this particular photo doesn't mean they're not returning to the show, as another video posted by the official Law and Order account features Hargitay and Scanavino "jumping" into the next season.
The question on everybody's minds—whether or not Christopher Meloni will be back as Elliott Stabler—remains unanswered. However, considering the popularity of his appearances in Season 25's crossover episodes with Law & Order: Organized Crime, it seems like a definite possibility.
Next: Fans Compliment Mariska Hargitay's 'Face Card' in New 'Law & Order' Teaser
