What's Happened to Kevin Kane's Detective Bruno on Law & Order: SVU?
Bruno has an incredible SVU track record, constantly reminding Benson why he's such a worthwhile recruit.
Law & Order: Special Victims Unit Season 26 has seen Kevin Kane's Terry Bruno settle in as a squad room regular. Bruno is sharp, funny, and never fails to voice his opinion. Brought on the team by Sgt. Fin Tutuola (Ice T), Bruno has excellent police instincts. When he has a hunch, he can't put it down — and he's usually right. It's no wonder Captain Olivia Benson (Mariska Hargitay) has kept him on board!
Below, read a little bit about Bruno's journey on Law & Order: SVU.
Terry Bruno's career before joining Benson' SVU
Bruno took both the police and firefighter exams, going with the cop route simply because the NYPD called him first. While training as a firefighter, he began dating and married a fellow firefighter named Rose (Raquel Chavez), although they eventually divorced. Bruno started his cop career in Bronx's SVU, but it was a rocky assignment. He realized many of his Bronx superiors didn't care for ethics or due diligence when serving justice, leading Bruno to take matters into his own hands.
Bruno first brushed paths with Benson in Season 24, Episode 10 ("Jumped In") while investigating the Bronx-based gang BX9, a case that pulled her SVU across the city. At the Bronx SVU, Benson learned Bruno was the resident "whistleblower." He successfully sued his department for wrongful termination after raising his voice about their malpractices. Following a rigorous investigation, Bruno received an $11 million settlement. The victory made Bruno a newly-minted millionaire but at the price of becoming the department pariah.
Terry Bruno's first SVU case impressed Sgt. Fin Tutuola
Despite the workplace animosity, Bruno held down his mostly-abandoned post at the Bronx SVU. So when he learned Benson and Fin were coming to temporarily help his squad room, he welcomed them with open arms.
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While working the BX9 case, Fin was impressed by Bruno's performance; the Bronx cop was methodically focused, didn't leave a stone unturned, and was willing to get creative. After Bruno helped the Manhattan detectives, Fin suggested to Benson that they could likely put Bruno's police skills to better use at their precinct. Benson said she'd think about it.
What's happened to Terry Bruno on SVU?
After Benson approved his transfer to Manhattan SVU, Bruno wasted no time proving himself as one of the squad's finest. He had massive shoes to fill, with SVU fan favorite Amanda Rollins (Kelli Giddish) resigning.
In Season 24, Episode 13 ("Intersection"), Bruno led the squad in successfully arresting a serial rapist who orchestrated traffic collisions and disguised himself as an EMT to assault car accident victims. Later in the season, Bruno and Fin teamed up to help Wallen Sipes, a former sex worker who was abandoned inside a dumpster. Wallen returned in Season 26 of SVU, calling Bruno for help after being brutally assaulted for a second time.
Throughout Season 25 of SVU, Bruno continued to win fans over thanks to his comic timing and stellar police work. Viewers saw a softer side to the jokester in Season 26, Episode 15 ("Undertow") while learning about an upsetting childhood incident after a case struck close to home. While hearing a teenage boy's testimony about an older woman in the courtroom, Bruno left after getting emotional. Benson checked in on him, leading Bruno to admit that he'd connected with the victim's story. When Bruno was 15, one of his parent's friends assaulted him during a cocktail party. Bruno had never told anyone about the incident. Benson comforted him with silent understanding as viewers gained a bit more insight into Bruno's path toward the Manhattan SVU.
Watch Law & Order: Special Victims Unit on Thursdays at 9/8c on NBC and the next day on Peacock.
