Law & Order: SVU debuted way back in 1999 and enters its 22nd season on NBC in 2020-21. While the crime drama is well-known for its incredible main cast, SVU also owes part of its high standing to the work of many guest stars over its two-decade run!
Law & Order: SVU - The Best Guest Stars
By the mid-2000s, SVU had emerged as a highly popular series which attracted guest spots for A-list stars. These actors usually portrayed criminals for a single episode or two, seeing as the unit's detectives often take down a case within just a few episodes.
Because SVU guest stars typically play criminals, these roles have seen comedic performers and other popular stars play against type on the show. As seen in the gallery's first photo, Robin Williams delivered one of SVU's most memorable dramatic turns in the season 9 episode "Authority."
At the same time, other guest stars, such as Jeremy Irons, served as consultants to the unit, earning high praise in their support roles. As SVU heads into season 22, guest stars dominate the suspense again. One cliffhanger surrounds the prosecution of "Sir Tobias Moore" (Ian McShane), a repulsive Harvey Weinstein-inspired figure.
Enjoy the above gallery of SVU's best guest stars! Look for familiar faces like Robin Williams and other Hollywood icons who appeared on the show.