Law & Order: Special Victims Unit

Law & Order: Special Victims Unit

1999-09-20 26 Seasons
Crime Drama Mystery
7.9
User Score
3973 votes

"Hope in the darkness."

Overview

In the criminal justice system, sexually-based offenses are considered especially heinous. In New York City, the dedicated detectives who investigate these vicious felonies are members of an elite squad known as the Special Victims Unit. These are their stories.

Dick Wolf

Creator

Seasons

Specials

Specials

None

6 Episodes

Season 1

Season 1

1999-09-20

22 Episodes

Season 2

Season 2

2000-10-19

21 Episodes

Season 3

Season 3

2001-09-27

23 Episodes

Season 4

Season 4

2002-09-26

25 Episodes

Season 5

Season 5

2003-09-22

25 Episodes

Season 6

Season 6

2004-09-20

23 Episodes

Season 7

Season 7

2005-09-19

22 Episodes

Season 8

Season 8

2006-09-18

22 Episodes

Season 9

Season 9

2007-09-24

19 Episodes

Season 10

Season 10

2008-09-21

22 Episodes

Season 11

Season 11

2009-09-21

24 Episodes

Season 12

Season 12

2010-09-21

24 Episodes

Season 13

Season 13

2011-09-20

23 Episodes

Season 14

Season 14

2012-09-25

24 Episodes

Season 15

Season 15

2013-09-24

24 Episodes

Season 16

Season 16

2014-09-23

23 Episodes

Season 17

Season 17

2015-09-22

23 Episodes

Season 18

Season 18

2016-09-20

21 Episodes

Season 19

Season 19

2017-09-26

24 Episodes

Season 20

Season 20

2018-09-26

24 Episodes

Season 21

Season 21

2019-09-25

20 Episodes

Season 22

Season 22

2020-11-11

16 Episodes

Season 23

Season 23

2021-09-22

22 Episodes

Season 24

Season 24

2022-09-21

22 Episodes

Season 25

Season 25

2024-01-17

13 Episodes

Season 26

Season 26

2024-10-01

22 Episodes

Top Billed Cast

Show Details

Status

Returning Series

Original Language

en

Number of Seasons

26

Number of Episodes

573

First Air Date

1999-09-20

Last Air Date

2025-05-15

Recommendations

Reviews

MovieGuys

MovieGuys

2024-08-17T23:29:34.195Z

This series is a poster child for the way the US wants the world, to perceive its justice system. Hard working, earnest police, backed by an imperfect but mostly well meaning, justice system. Of course, if you look behind the veil nothing could be further from the truth. The justice system and not just in the US, mind you is abusive and broken. More often than not failing victims and on a certain level, criminals, who often started out as victims of its indifference and outright cruelty. I find long running series like this one annoying, in so much as they largely, shore up establishment narratives, rather than exposing them, for what they are. Acting is reasonable but feels a little forced and unrealistic, at times. Its not helped by rather predictably, formulaic characterisations. In summary, I rate this series down not just because its somewhat formulaic and bland but because, in my view, it does the truth of the world we live in, a disservice. Things can only improve when reality is exposed for what it is, not buried beneath pro establishment, "the system mostly works" narratives.

Nicki

Nicki

2024-10-11T08:08:59.951Z

**26 SEASONS** there's a reason SVU is the longest-running primetime live-action series on American television. Every year this show is a must watch. The storylines are compelling and the actors are usually current, former or up-and-coming stars. Some "fans" have complained about the changing of cast members but I think it's what keeps the show fresh. Hoping for many more seasons with Benson to come.