The NBC show’s latest season 27 episode aired on Nov. 20
Captain Olivia Benson (Mariska Hargitay) is on a holiday break.
In September 2025, Law & Order: Special Victims Unit returned for its 27th season, with Benson and her team back on their never-ending quest to keep the streets of New York City safe.
When asked about the latest installment of Law & Order: SVU, Hargitay told Today, “It’s very exciting.”
“Sometimes it’s hard for me to take in that I’ve been doing this show for 27 years. This year, it has this renewed energy,” she said in October 2025, noting the series’ new showrunner, Michele Fazekas, and the return of actress Kelli Giddish.
“It has a very powerful female energy this year, and we’re just getting it done,” Hargitay continued.
Law & Order: SVU season 27 premiered in September 2025, but its latest episode aired on Nov. 20 ahead of Thanksgiving.
So when does Law & Order: SVU return? Here’s everything to know about the NBC show coming back.
Is Law & Order: SVU new tonight?
No, Law & Order: SVU is not new tonight, Dec. 4.
Instead, NBC will re-air the second episode of season 27, “A Waiver of Consent.”
The encore of the Law & Order: SVU episode will be preceded by two animated holiday classics: Dr. Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas (1966) and Frosty the Snowman (1969), starting at 8 p.m. ET.
When does Law & Order: SVU return?
Law & Order: SVU returns with new episodes on Jan. 8.
It will be the midseason premiere for Law & Order: SVU and the original Law & Order, with both taking part in a special crossover event.
On Nov. 21, an intense preview was posted on the Law & Order Instagram, featuring Benson saying, “I thought that I’d seen everything on this job,” adding, “I’d like to combine forces, work this case together.”
In a September 2025 TV Insider interview, Law & Order showrunner Rick Eid teased the upcoming crossover, revealing that the goal for the two episodes “is to have many characters from both shows in both hours, so it feels more like a movie than a handoff to a second show.”
What is airing instead of Law & Order: SVU on NBC Thursdays?
While Benson and her team members are taking a much-deserved break, NBC will be airing its holiday programming.
The cartoons, Dr. Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas and Frosty the Snowman, air on Dec. 4, followed by an encore presentation of Law & Order: SVU season 27, episode 2.
Over the next month, NBC will fill its Thursday nights with more festivities. On Dec. 11, Access Hollywood Presents: NBC 2025 Year in Review and Jimmy Fallon’s Holiday Seasoning Spectacular will air, followed by A Saturday Night Live Christmas the next week, on Dec. 18.
The 2000 live-action version of How the Grinch Stole Christmas will air on Dec. 25.
How many episodes are left in Law & Order: SVU season 27?
It has not been officially revealed how many total episodes will be in Law & Order: SVU season 27, but season 26 consisted of 22 episodes.
There have been eight episodes so far this season, with the most recent new installment debuting on Nov. 20.
Where can I watch Law & Order: SVU?
Season 27 — and the previous 26 seasons — of Law & Order: SVU are available to stream on Peacock.
