Kelli Giddish’s return to Law & Order: SVU has been a much-anticipated event for fans. After leaving the show in 2022, her reappearance as Sergeant Amanda Rollins has generated a lot of buzz. But as Giddish steps back into the world of SVU, her new role—and the changes it brings—have left fans wondering how this shift in her character will affect the dynamic of the show. In a recent interview, Giddish opened up about her experience returning to SVU, what she’s missed most about being on set, and how her character’s new role has impacted her and the team.
A New Role: Sergeant Rollins Takes Charge
When SVU fans last saw Amanda Rollins, she had left the squad and was pursuing a quieter, more stable life. Now, in the latest season, Rollins has returned—this time with a new job title and a fresh perspective. Gone are the days of her running the SVU squad room. Instead, Rollins is now working as part of the NYPD Intelligence Bureau, tackling complex crimes that span across the city and even globally.
Giddish, who has portrayed Rollins since Season 13, describes the change as both exciting and fulfilling. “It’s fun,” she says about stepping into Rollins’ new role. “Rollins is now a sergeant with the NYPD Intelligence Bureau, so a little promotion, a different badge. It was fun to see how that felt different, if it felt different.” Rollins’ new position allows her to tackle a broader scope of criminal activity—no longer is she just dealing with the emotionally charged, victim-focused cases of the SVU team. This change brings a different type of challenge, and Giddish says it’s been an enjoyable shift to explore.
The New SVU Dynamic: Rollins and Benson Reunited
Despite her new role in Intelligence, Rollins remains close to her old team—especially Captain Olivia Benson, played by Mariska Hargitay. Their friendship and partnership are a key part of the series, and Giddish admits that she had a blast reuniting with Hargitay on set. In the latest episode, the two women are thrust into a high-stakes chase scene that gave Giddish the chance to reconnect with her co-star in an action-packed sequence.
“It’s not just sitting in the squad room trying to figure it out,” Giddish says about the scene. “We’re running and we’re climbing and we’re working together as these two women. It was so much fun to film, and we were so energized. I was like, ‘God dang it lady, you have a lot of energy. I want to be you when I’m 60.'”
The on-screen dynamic between Rollins and Benson is a fan favorite, and their ability to work together seamlessly in high-pressure situations is something that has only deepened over the years. Even though Rollins is no longer working directly within the Special Victims Unit, her bond with Benson remains strong, and their professional chemistry is as undeniable as ever.
Returning to Set: What Kelli Giddish Missed Most
When Giddish talks about her time on SVU, one of the things she missed the most was the camaraderie with her castmates. While working on such a heavy show can be emotionally taxing, Giddish describes the SVU set as a place of laughter and genuine connection. “I laughed a lot,” she reveals. “When I stopped working there on a regular basis, I was at home one day, and I was like, ‘Oh my god, I haven’t laughed today.'” The sense of family on set was something Giddish hadn’t realized she would miss so much, but now that she’s back, it’s clear that the connection with her co-stars is just as strong as ever.
“It’s a family I was with for years and years, and I’m missing my crew there. I’m missing the cast and catching up and seeing how everybody’s families are doing,” she adds. The off-camera bond is just as important as the on-screen one, and it’s what makes the SVU team feel so cohesive, even as the show continues to evolve.
Gallows Humor and Deep Connections
It’s no secret that SVU tackles some heavy topics—episodes often deal with harrowing subjects like sexual assault, abuse, and trauma. But Giddish reflects on the unique blend of emotions that come with working on such a show. “It’s gallows humor,” she says, explaining how laughter often lightens the mood on set, especially during emotionally intense scenes. But it’s not just about finding moments of levity. “We deeply, deeply feel each other,” Giddish explains, describing how the cast members form deep, emotional bonds while spending long hours together filming. This sense of empathy is what helps the actors deliver such raw, authentic performances on screen.
During one particularly emotional scene, Giddish found herself moved to tears, proving that the bond between her and her co-stars goes beyond just laughs and jokes. “Peter Scanavino made me cry yesterday on set,” Giddish laughs. “I was doing another episode and we were dealing with a really heavy scene, and I was like, ‘Wait, I’m not supposed to be crying.'”
Rollins’ New Job: Is This What She Needed?
As Rollins navigates her new role in the Intelligence Bureau, the character’s evolution is undeniable. She is no longer the rookie detective grappling with personal demons, but rather a seasoned officer taking on high-stakes international cases. This transition has been a welcome change for both Rollins and Giddish, who feels the new job suits her character’s growth. “I think Rollins needed this,” she says. “She needs to be more involved in the process of getting the bad guys instead of just teaching people how to do it.”
In her previous role as a teacher, Rollins wasn’t as directly involved in the action, which sometimes made it feel like she wasn’t fully living up to her potential. But now, with her stable relationship with Carisi and a stronger emotional foundation, Rollins is able to take on greater responsibility and make more risky decisions. “Now that she has a stable, healthy relationship with Carisi, she’s able to make these choices. She has somebody to catch her when she falls,” Giddish explains.
While Rollins’ new job may be more distant from the emotional turmoil of SVU, she remains fiercely dedicated to stopping criminals. Giddish believes this job allows Rollins to focus on the bigger picture: stopping criminals before they can strike again. “I think she can’t sleep at night knowing that if there’s a way [to stop the criminals], then it’s personal to her that they need to be stopped,” she explains.
Looking Ahead: What’s Next for Rollins?
As the season progresses, it will be exciting to see how Rollins’ new job continues to shape her character. With her shift to a more global and strategic role, Rollins will likely face new challenges that force her to rethink her approach to justice. But one thing is certain—Rollins’ drive to protect the vulnerable and stop those who harm others will always remain at the core of her character.
Fans are already excited to see how Giddish’s return continues to unfold. Rollins may have a new badge, but the heart of the character remains unchanged, and her bond with Benson will always be a key element of the show’s success.
Conclusion
Kelli Giddish’s return to Law & Order: SVU has brought a fresh dynamic to the series. As Sergeant Amanda Rollins, Giddish is stepping into a more complex role within the NYPD Intelligence Bureau, where she’s able to take on a more global approach to crime-solving. Yet, despite the shift, the essence of Rollins remains the same: she’s dedicated, compassionate, and determined to stop the bad guys. With Giddish back on set and Rollins evolving into a more mature and stable version of herself, SVU fans have plenty to look forward to in the upcoming episodes.
