Kelli Giddish says the reaction from fans after her exit from Law & Order: SVU in 2022 made a real difference. In an exclusive interview with E! News, she said the support for Amanda Rollins was touching and that the response helped pave the way for her return.
“I appreciated the protest,” Giddish told E! News. “I really, really did. It really touched my heart to know that people were missing Rollins.” She added that the effort “worked” and said, “I’m back. I’m back as a regular.”
Rollins left the series in the middle of season 24 after marrying Dominick “Sonny” Carisi Jr., played by Peter Scanavino, and stepping away from law enforcement to teach at Fordham University. She later returned in season 27 and is once again part of the SVU squad.
Giddish joined the NBC drama as a series regular in season 13 in 2011. Now 15 years later, she said both she and the character have changed over time, while noting she is glad to be back with the cast and crew she knows well. Law & Order: SVU returns for season 28 on Oct. 8 at 9 p.m. ET, followed by season 26 of Law & Order.
