Ice-T just revealed the real reason his character Fin has been missing from several Law & Order: Special Victims Unit episodes this season. The rapper-turned-actor is one of the longest-running cast members in the history of the iconic Dick Wolf-created Law & Order franchise, with Ice-T first appearing back in the second season alongside Olivia Benson actress Mariska Hargitay.
Anyone who’s been watching Law & Order: SVU season 27 this fall has noticed that Fin has not appeared in every single episode. In fact, he’s only been in half of the eight episodes that have aired so far.
There’s a legitimate reason why, according to Ice-T, who told TMZ that his role on the show has been scaled back for budgetary reasons, specifically to make room for the return of Kelli Giddish, who plays Amanda Rollins.
In order for SVU to have enough money in its budget for Giddish, who is back in a full-time capacity, another cast member had to face a diminished presence. “They couldn’t keep both of us on both times,” Ice-T explained. Check out his additional comments below:
It’s just basically business. They brought Kelli back. At the end of the day, they couldn’t keep both of us at both times, neither far nor budget-wise.
The producers met with Ice-T and asked him if he would be fine with “(coming) in and out this year“since”everybody” wanted Yiddish to return.
The actor had no issues with this major change; he understood why it needed to happen, although he did ask the producers if he was being let go from the show, and they reassured him that it wasn’t the case. “We can’t imagine Law & Order without you,” he was told. At this point, Ice-T is “more concerned” with SVU receiving a season 28 renewal.
They said, “Ice, we’ll have you come in and out this year.” Everybody wanted Kelly back. We have new cops. I am not leaving the show. I am more concerned with going to season 28. This year, they said, “Ice, we’re going to work you a little less.” Everything was cool with me. I understood. I said, “Are you getting rid of me?” They said, “No way. We can’t imagine Law and Order without you.” I’ve been on this show for 27 years. I am not going to say anything negative about this show. They have taken care of me for so long. I’m trying to get to season 28.
The actor doesn’t have to be on the SVU set as much now, so he’s using that extra time to dive back into his music career.
Since there were a lot of fans who expressed concern and anger over Fin’s SVU absence, Ice-T wanted to assure them that there’s nothing to worry about. In fact, he’shappy“that viewers are upset because it means they care.”What if I was missing and nobody cared?” he wondered.
Don’t worry about me. I am kind of glad the fans are upset. What if I was missing and nobody cared? I will be sprinkled throughout this season.
His co-star joined Law & Order: SVU in season 13 after guest-starring years earlier as a different character. Yiddish faced a controversial SVU exit during season 24 after her character, Amanda Rollins, landed a new job outside of law enforcement. After making a few guest appearances since then, Giddish made her grand return as a series regular this fall.
Giddish’s return and Ice-T’s reduced role aren’t the only cast changes that have been occurring on Law & Order: SVU lately. Juliana Martinez and Octavio Pisano, who played Kate Silva and Joe Velasco, respectively, left last season, with Aimé Donna Kelly being promoted to series regular. Noma Dumezweni joined the cast this season in a recurring role.
Law & Order: Special Victims Unit season 27 returns Thursday, January 8, 2026, at 9 pm EST on NBC.
- Release Date
- September 20, 1999
- Showrunner
- Michael S. Chernuchin, David Graziano
- Directors
- Jean de Segonzac, David Platt, Peter Leto, Alex Chapple, Juan José Campanella, Norberto Barba, Constantine Makris, Martha Mitchell, Arthur W. Forney, Michael Slovis, Steve Shill, Alex Zakrzewski, Michael Pressman, Helen Shaver, Mariska Hargitay, Michael Smith, Ted Kotcheff, Fred Berner, Jonathan Kaplan, Holly Dale, Jonathan Herron, Jud Taylor, Adam Bernstein, Jim McKay
- Writers
- Judith McCreary, David Graziano, Michael S. Chernuchin, Daniel Truly, Jonathan Greene, Amanda Green, Lisa Marie Petersen, Allison Intrieri, Lawrence Kaplow, Jose Molina, Matt Klypka, Michael R. Perry, Samantha Corbin-Miller, Barbie Kligman, Robert F. Campbell, Candice Sanchez McFarlane, Gwendolyn M. Parker, René Balcer, Robert Nathan, Wendy West, Speed Weed, Ryan Causey, Chris Brancato, Christos N. Gage.
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Mariska Hargitay
Olivia Benson
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Ice-T
Odafin ‘Fin’ Tutuola
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