After an emotional departure from Law & Order: SVU in 2022, Kelli Giddish is back in the role of Amanda Rollins, and this time, she’s bringing a new sense of authority to the table. Fans of the show are excited to see the former detective turned professor join forces once again with Olivia Benson (played by Mariska Hargitay) in an action-packed episode, but with a twist — Rollins is now a sergeant in the NYPD Intelligence Bureau.
In this article, we’ll dive deep into Kelli Giddish’s return to Law & Order: SVU, the fresh new direction her character is taking, and what fans can expect from her future appearances on the show.
Rollins’ Return: A New Phase for the Former Detective
Kelli Giddish made her exit from Law & Order: SVU after 12 seasons, leaving fans with a sense of closure as Amanda Rollins embarked on a new chapter of her life. Rollins’ journey has now taken a major turn, and she’s stepping into a new role that puts her on a much higher rung within the NYPD — as a sergeant in the Intelligence Bureau.
Giddish recently spoke to Entertainment Weekly, offering a glimpse of what’s in store for Rollins in this new chapter. “This is a new phase for her,” Giddish explains. “A lot of things have changed.” The role of sergeant is a far cry from the days when Rollins was chasing criminals as a detective in the Special Victims Unit, and Giddish teased that this shift allows Rollins to play a much more nuanced role in the SVU universe.
The New Dynamic: Rollins and Benson Reunited
One of the most exciting aspects of Rollins’ return is the opportunity to reunite with Olivia Benson, her long-time partner and friend. Fans have long admired the dynamic between these two characters, and Giddish promises that their chemistry is still as strong as ever. “It is just getting right back into the chemistry every time we film,” she shares. “It’s very natural and organic.”
This reunion isn’t just about the characters picking up where they left off; it’s about them adapting to their new roles and perspectives. Giddish hints that the bond between Rollins and Benson continues to evolve as both women navigate their personal and professional growth. In this episode, Rollins may not be in the same detective role, but her insights and expertise are still valuable to Benson and the team as they tackle a new, high-stakes case.
What Has Rollins Been Up To Since Leaving SVU?
After her exit from the Special Victims Unit, Rollins was not exactly resting on her laurels. Instead, she made a significant career leap, moving from her role as a professor to joining the NYPD Intelligence Bureau. According to Giddish, this new role allows Rollins to take a broader view of crime and policing. “It’s kind of eavesdropping on the whole world,” Giddish quips about the nature of the Intelligence Bureau’s work, which focuses on detecting and disrupting global criminal activities.
As part of her new job, Rollins is no longer investigating individual cases in the same way she did as a detective. Instead, she’s part of a larger operation that works to tackle global threats. This shift not only provides a fresh narrative for Rollins but also offers Giddish a new way to explore her character. “I think it’s perfect for Rollins,” says Giddish. “She has this new information and is giving it to the rest of the NYPD.”
The Action-Packed Episode: A Major Chase Scene
Rollins’ return episode, titled “Divide and Conquer,” promises action and excitement. In this episode, Rollins is caught up in a high-stakes case that leads to an intense chase scene. According to Giddish, filming the chase was one of the highlights of her return. “It culminates in a huge chase scene that Mariska [Hargitay] and I were in, to get one of the perpetrators,” she explains. “It was just so much fun being back with her, running up and down stairs… we laughed a lot.”
This action-packed moment is not just about the physical chase — it also serves to show how Rollins is adapting to her new role. Even though she’s no longer a detective in the SVU, she’s still determined to help Benson catch the bad guys. Giddish’s excitement about returning to this action-oriented side of her character is evident, and it adds a fun layer to Rollins’ transition from SVU detective to Intelligence Bureau sergeant.
Rollins’ Relationship with Benson: Still Going Strong
For many fans, the most compelling aspect of Rollins’ return is her dynamic with Olivia Benson. Over the years, these two women have supported each other through thick and thin, and Giddish emphasizes that their friendship continues to evolve. Despite Rollins’ shift in career, her relationship with Benson is stronger than ever.
In the episode, Rollins teams up with Benson to investigate a robbery that turns out to involve a rape victim. While Benson is laser-focused on tracking down the rapist, Rollins has to balance her role in the NYPD Intelligence Bureau with helping her old partner solve the case. This added complexity to Rollins’ character gives the episode an interesting twist and shows how much her life has changed since she left SVU.
“Rollins is looking after the perpetrators,” Giddish teases. “That’s what her number one job is now. It’s a little bit of a different tact, and that was really interesting to explore.”
A New Role and New Relationships
Along with her new role within the NYPD, Rollins is also paired with a new partner in the Intelligence Bureau. Enter Detective Corgan, played by John Clarence Stewart. Giddish reveals that she and Stewart had an instant connection, partly because they hail from the same hometown. “I didn’t know his work before, but when I Googled him, I was like, ‘Oh, he was born in the same place that I was in real life,’” Giddish laughs. “There was an instant kismet from that.”
The dynamic between Rollins and Corgan adds a fresh layer to the episode, as Rollins is now navigating a different kind of partnership, one that requires a new level of trust and collaboration. The shift from her longtime partner Benson to a new colleague provides Rollins with a different perspective on her work and gives fans a chance to see her in a new light.
More Surprises Ahead: Kelli Giddish’s Future with SVU
Fans will be happy to know that Giddish is not done with SVU just yet. She confirms that her return to the show won’t be limited to just one episode. “There’s another episode that I’m in the middle of filming now that’s going to air in November,” Giddish reveals. “It’s a very wild episode. It feels different, and so it’s exciting to come back and do something totally out of the ordinary with an SVU episode.”
This teasing hints at more exciting moments in store for Rollins fans. While details about the upcoming episode are still under wraps, Giddish’s enthusiasm for her continued involvement in SVU is clear, and it’s safe to say that fans are eager to see what she’ll do next.
Conclusion: Rollins’ Return Brings a Fresh Perspective
Kelli Giddish’s return to Law & Order: SVU offers fans the chance to reconnect with Amanda Rollins in a new and exciting role. While Rollins may no longer be a detective in the Special Victims Unit, she’s still playing a crucial part in the fight against crime. Her partnership with Olivia Benson continues to evolve, and her new position within the NYPD Intelligence Bureau brings a fresh perspective to the show.
As Giddish teases, this isn’t the last we’ll see of Rollins on SVU, and fans can look forward to more action-packed episodes, new relationships, and deeper character developments as Rollins takes on this new chapter in her career.
