The upcoming “Law & Order: Special Victims Unit” and “Law & Order: Organized Crime” crossover will feature the return of a beloved character.
The two-hour special will see Raul Esparza’s return as Rafael Barba.
But while fans might be thrilled to see the familiar face, Mariska Hargitay’s Olivia Benson sure isn’t.
In a new trailer for the mega-episode, Benson meets Barba at a bar and is shocked that he has agreed to represent the show’s biggest villain played by Dylan McDermott.
"I wanted to let you know who I'm considering defending," Barba says, giving Benson a heads-up about the personal case he’s about to take on.
"As long as it's not Richard Wheatley, we're good," she responds.
Barba then gives her a look indicating that she hit the nail on the head.
The following scene shows Barba meeting with Wheatley in prison.
Related
"So you've accepted my offer," Wheatley notes, as Barba informs him that they “got a lot of work to do.”
Finally, Benson is seen comforting Det. Elliot Stabler (played by Christopher Meloni).
As she holds his hand, she informs him: "Whatever happens, we're going to take it one step at a time.”
Whatley, a businessman with close ties to the mafia, is behind bars for murdering Stabler’s wife Kathy.
Barba previously appeared in an episode in January 2021. However, he left the series in 2018 towards the end of Season 19.
Fans will have to wait until December 9 to see how it pans out.
“SVU” airs first at 9 p.m. ET followed by “OC” at 10 p.m. ET.
The franchise has been toying with fans emotions this TV season by teasing a romance between Stabler and Benson
"It’s all underneath percolating," Hargitay told Today of the duo’s relationship. "Right now after Stabler being gone for 10 years and the way that he left and the complexity of what’s happened and how he came back surprising me, we’re still finding our way.”
The series also brought back fan-favorite character, Detective Nick Amaro, played by Danny Pino for “SVU’s” 500th episode.
Lights, camera, action! Get the latest updates on movies and television from The Reel Buzz on Audacy.com.
LISTEN on the Audacy App
Sign Up and Follow Audacy
Facebook | Twitter | Instagram