NBC Insider Exclusive

Create a free profile to get unlimited access to exclusive show news, updates, and more!

Sign Up For Free to View
NBC Insider Law & Order Franchise

Why It's Not Likely Rollins Is Coming Back to SVU (DETAILS)

Giddish has cemented herself as an SVU scene stealer with Rollins' recurring guest star status.

By Jessica White
Sergeant Rollins Briefs the Squad on a New Albanian Organized Crime Ring | Law & Order SVU | NBC
Video thumbnail
Now Playing
1:16
Highlight
Sergeant Rollins Briefs the Squad on a New Albanian Organized Crime Ring | Law & Order SVU | NBC
Video thumbnail
1:23
Highlight
Guest Star Ludacris: Fin's Nephew Admits to Murder | Law & Order: SVU | NBC
Video thumbnail
0:55
Highlight
Benson Visits Her Mother's Grave | Law & Order: SVU | NBC
Video thumbnail
0:48
Highlight
Guest Star Amanda Seyfried: Did a Missing Teen Lie About Where She Was? | Law & Order: SVU | NBC
Video thumbnail
1:17
Highlight
Benson Praises Velasco's Leadership in Solving a Rape Case | Law & Order: SVU | NBC
Video thumbnail
1:16
Highlight
Did an Underage Teen Intentionally Drug the Woman He Slept With? | Law & Order: SVU | NBC
Video thumbnail
1:59
Highlight
Guest Star John Stamos: Could a Nanny's Wealthy Boyfriend Be a Kidnapper? | Law & Order: SVU | NBC
Video thumbnail
0:38
Highlight
Guest Star Will Arnett: Stabler and Benson Question a Squash Hobbyist | Law & Order: SVU
Video thumbnail
0:59
Highlight
Squad Unpacks a Rape Case That Happened in Times Square | Law & Order: SVU | NBC
Video thumbnail
1:39
Highlight
Guest Star Meghann Fahy: Why Did a Mother Abandon Her Daughter? | Law & Order: SVU | NBC
Video thumbnail
1:15
Highlight
Guest Star Adam Driver: A Pervert Confirms His Alibi with Camera Footage | Law & Order: SVU | NBC
Video thumbnail
1:17
Highlight
Benson and the Squad Make a Plan After Getting the Sketch of a Rapist | Law & Order: SVU | NBC
Video thumbnail
1:31
Highlight
Benson Fights with Carisi About Making a Deal with a Pedophile | Law & Order: SVU | NBC
Video thumbnail
1:35
Highlight
Benson and Carisi Meet with Baxter | Law & Order: SVU | NBC
Video thumbnail
39:36
Web Exclusive
Carisi and Rollins' Relationship Timeline | Law & Order: SVU | NBC
Video thumbnail
0:42
Highlight
Guest Star Laverne Cox: Gym Manager Has Suspicions About Her Employee | Law & Order: SVU | NBC
Video thumbnail
41:10
Web Exclusive
The Best of Fin Pt. 2 | Law & Order: SVU | NBC
Video thumbnail
4:28
Highlight
Guest Star Whoopi Goldberg: Barba Grills a Social Worker on the Stand | Law & Order: SVU | NBC

Many fan favorites have come and gone on Law & Order: Special Victims Unit, but few farewells have rattled fans like Amanda Rollins, played by Kelli Giddish. It was bittersweet saying bye to Rollins, but fortunately, it's translated to more of a "see you later" on SVU.

How to Watch

Watch Law & Order: Special Victims Unit Thursdays at 9/8c on NBC and next day on Peacock.

Rollins' SVU journey has been a whirlwind. She left Captain Olivia Benson's (Mariska Hargitay) unit to explore a life outside the squad room in Season 24, accepting a gig as a criminology professor. After becoming bored of the academic beat, Rollins took some time off and admitted that she missed the thrill of the case in Season 25.

Rollins' existential crisis led many to wonder if she would perhaps rejoin the squad — but Benson reminded her that she was on a new path after years of restlessness within the SVU. After consulting on several investigations and accepting that she thrives while cracking cases, Rollins accepted a position as the Sergeant of the NYPD's Intelligence Unit.

RELATED: What's Happened to Amanda Rollins on Law & Order: Special Victims Unit?

Giddish may have ended her tenure within SVU's main cast, but a return from Rollins was inevitable as the wife of A.D.A. Sonny Carisi (Peter Scanavino). And as one of Benson's best friends. Giddish's recurring guest star status has been a welcomed treat for Rollins fans, and seeing where her storyline heads next has been compelling.

Why Amanda Rollins isn't returning to the SVU squad 

Sgt. Amanda Rollins (Kelli Giddish) walks away from other police in Law & Order: Special Victims Unit Episode 26008.

While Giddish has made several guest appearances in recent seasons of SVU, Rollins is not returning to Benson's squad. Rollins is nowadays leading her own team, the NYPD's Intelligence Unit, weighing in on international crime rings, political conspiracies, drug trades, and the like. Rollins' caseload has shifted significantly compared to her time with the SVU — it takes less of a mental toll — and she was keen to update Benson about how she was taking to her new post in Season 26, Episode 3 ("Divide and Conquer").

"Don't take this the wrong way; I love it," Rollins told her former Captain. "It's like getting to eavesdrop on the whole world."

Rollins thanked Benson for putting in a good word for her during the interview process, adding that she also appreciated how Benson helped her understand that she needed to do some soul-searching before she could settle down anywhere. "I miss my family with all these long hours, but before this, I missed who I was even more," Rollins admitted.

Amanda Rollins and Olivia Benson laugh together on Law and Order SVU Season 26 Episode 3

"It is so good to see this version of you again," Benson said with a smile, echoing the thoughts of many viewers watching at home.

So, no — Rollins is not returning to the SVU squad, but now that she's working within the NYPD, it wouldn't be a jaw-dropper for Benson to call Rollins for help on a case. After kicking criminal butt together for over a decade together, fans will always relish a Rollins and Benson reunion.

Stay caught up with Rollins and the rest of the gang by watching Law & Order: Special Victims Unit on Thursdays at 9/8c on NBC or stream episodes on Peacock.

Sponsored Stories
Recommended by Zergnet