Ice-T explains Finn’s absence on Law & Order: Special Victims Unit Season 27. Ice-T is the longest-serving cast member on the Dick Wolf series after Mariska Hargitay, having been on the show since season 2 in 2000. However, he only appeared in four of the eight episodes this year.
“Basically it’s business. They brought Kelly back. At the end of the day, budget-wise, they couldn’t keep both of us on both episodes,” Ice-T said in a recent interview with TMZ, referring to Kelly Giddish, who played Detective Amanda Rollins from Season 13 to Season 24, who left the show. She returned full-time in season 27, and Hargitay fought for it.
“They said, ‘Ice, we’re going to have you in and out this year.’ Everyone wanted Kelly back. We have a new cop. I’m not leaving the show. I’m more concerned about going into season 28. This year, they said, ‘Ice, we’re going to cut your workload a little bit.’ Everything was cool to me. Understood. “Are you trying to kick me out?” I said. They said, “That can’t be true.” I can’t imagine “Law and Order” without you. ” he continued. “I’ve been on this show for 27 years. I’m not going to say anything negative about this show. They’ve taken care of me for a long time. I’m trying to get to season 28.”
He added that now that he has free time, he can do “other things” such as creating new music.
“Don’t worry about me. I’m kind of glad the fans are upset. What if I’m gone and no one cares?” he added. “It’s going to be sprinkled throughout this season.”
At the end of season 26, Juliana Martinez and Octavio Pisano left the show. Emme Donna Kelly was promoted to series regular as Captain Curry, and Noma Dumezweni joined as a regular guest. Peter Scanavino and Kevin Kane also joined the returning cast.
Wolf will serve as executive producer along with Hargitay, Kenneth Brown, Anastasia Puglisi and Peter Jankowski. Michele Fuzzikas has joined as showrunner and executive producer for season 27.
