Law & Order: Special Victims Unit - Season 22 May 2026

: The season features the highly anticipated return of Christopher Meloni as Elliot Stabler in the crossover episode "Return of the Prodigal Son." This served as the launchpad for the spin-off, Law & Order: Organized Crime .

Return of the Prodigal Son (Law & Order: Special Victims Unit) Law & Order: Special Victims Unit - Season 22

Due to production delays caused by the pandemic, Season 22 consists of , making it one of the shortest seasons in the franchise's history. The season addresses contemporary social issues, including racial bias in policing and the impact of the global health crisis on the criminal justice system. Key Plot Arcs : The season features the highly anticipated return

is the historic twenty-second chapter of the longest-running primetime live-action series in U.S. history. Premiering on November 12, 2020, on NBC, this season is notable for navigating the real-world challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, both in its production and its "ripped from the headlines" storytelling. Season Overview Key Plot Arcs is the historic twenty-second chapter

: The premiere, "Guardians and Gladiators," forces Captain Benson and her squad to confront their own racial biases and police methods following a high-profile incident in Central Park.

: Sergeant Fin Tutuola (Ice T) faces a legal battle and deposition related to a past lawsuit, while Detective Amanda Rollins (Kelli Giddish) and Officer Kat Tamin (Jamie Gray Hyder) handle a series of domestic and undercover cases. Main Cast & Characters