Law & Order: SVU Is Bringing Back Two More Fan-Favorite Characters

Fans of the "Law & Order" franchise were shocked in September when NBC suddenly announced that it was renewing the original "Law & Order" series for a 21st season (via TV Line). While a "Law & Order" renewal isn't exactly shocking news most of the time, this particular announcement was surprising because the flagship series was abruptly canceled in 2010 (via Deadline). Although the series is expected to return with a mostly new cast (beginning with "Burn Notice" star Jeffrey Donovan), there are reports that "Law & Order" veterans Sam Waterston and Anthony Anderson have been speaking with creator Dick Wolf about the possibility of returning for the project (via Deadline). 

However, until the next season of "Law & Order" premieres in February, fans of the long-running franchise will have to make do with new episodes of shows like "Law & Order: SVU," which is now in its 23rd season. The series, which stars Mariska Hargitay as Olivia Benson, is one of many "Law & Order" spin-offs and remains one of the most popular series on NBC (via TVInsider). 

Any fans of "Law & Order: SVU" who haven't tuned in for a bit might want to catch back up with the show as well, considering the recently announced news that two characters fans haven't heard from in a bit will be returning in the very near future.

According to a report from TV Line, actors Donal Logue and Ari'el Stachel will soon return to "Law & Order: SVU" as Lieutenant Declan Murphy and Sergeant Hasim Khaldun, respectively. The two will reportedly appear in the same upcoming episode, which is expected to premiere in January 2022. Given each character's history with Detective Amanda Rollins (Kelli Giddish), it is probably safe to assume that the episode will provide even more insight into the current drama surrounding the Rollins family.

Logue first appeared on "Law & Order: SVU" in Season 15, and starred in a total of six episodes of that season. He later made two guest appearances in Seasons 16 and 17, but has not appeared on the series since Season 17, Episode 5, titled "Community Policing" (via IMDb). Meanwhile, Stachel's upcoming return will mark his first appearance on the show since the tenth episode of Season 22, which aired in April. He made his "Law & Order: SVU" debut in Season 21, Episode 14, titled "I Deserve Some Loving Too" (via IMDb). 

"Law & Order: SVU" airs Thursdays at 9 p.m. on NBC, with its next episode set to premiere on December 9 (via NBC).