When is the return of "Law & Order: SVU"? Everything you need to know about Season 27 episodes.

Key Details:

• Season 27 of Law & Order: SVU began airing in September 2025.
• The latest episode premiered on November 20, 2025.
• A special crossover event with Law & Order is scheduled for January 2026.
• Captain Olivia Benson (Mariska Hargitay) is currently on a holiday break.

Returning for its 27th season in September 2025, Law & Order: SVU follows Benson and her team as they continue to tackle crimes in New York City. Mariska Hargitay shared with Today that the new season feels particularly energizing, highlighting the influence of showrunner Michele Fazekas and the return of Kelli Giddish. Hargitay emphasized the strong female energy that defines this season.

Current Episode Schedule

As of December 4, 2025, Law & Order: SVU will not air a new episode. NBC is re-broadcasting the second episode of season 27, titled "A Waiver of Consent." This repeat will follow two animated holiday specials: Dr. Seuss' How the Grinch Stole Christmas (1966) and Frosty the Snowman (1969), starting at 8 p.m. ET.

Return Date for New Episodes

Fresh episodes will resume on January 8, 2026, coinciding with a midseason premiere for both Law & Order: SVU and the original Law & Order. The event will feature a crossover, blending characters from both series for a continuous storyline.

On November 21, a preview released on the Law & Order Instagram teased the crossover, with Benson saying, "I thought that I'd seen everything on this job" and suggesting a joint effort to solve a case. Showrunner Rick Eid described the episodes as designed to feel more like a movie, with characters from both shows fully integrated.

Holiday Programming on NBC

While Benson and her team are on break, NBC is showcasing holiday specials. On December 4, the network aired How the Grinch Stole Christmas and Frosty the Snowman, followed by the second episode of season 27. Additional programming includes Access Hollywood Presents: NBC 2025 Year in Review and Jimmy Fallon's Holiday Seasoning Spectacular on December 11, a Saturday Night Live Christmas episode on December 18, and the 2000 live-action version of How the Grinch Stole Christmas on December 25.

Episodes Remaining in Season 27

The total episode count for season 27 has not been officially announced. Season 26 featured 22 episodes. So far, eight episodes of season 27 have aired, with the most recent debut on November 20.

Streaming Availability

Season 27, along with all previous seasons, is available for streaming on Peacock.

Analysis: Season 27 of Law & Order: SVU

Returning for its 27th season, Law & Order: SVU continues to explore complex cases in New York City, now under the guidance of showrunner Michele Fazekas. Mariska Hargitay highlights the strong female energy this season brings, reinforced by Kelli Giddish’s return.

As of December 4, 2025, the show is on a brief holiday break. NBC is airing reruns of the second episode, "A Waiver of Consent," following classic animated specials. New episodes will resume January 8, 2026, with a special crossover event involving characters from both SVU and the original Law & Order.

The crossover promises a more cinematic experience, as described by showrunner Rick Eid, integrating both casts for a continuous storyline. With eight episodes aired so far, the season’s total episode count remains unconfirmed, though streaming is fully available on Peacock for all seasons.

Sources:

• When Does “Law & Order: SVU” Return? All About the New Season 27 Episodes