Law & Order: SVU season 25 — next episode info, trailer, cast and everything we know about the crime drama

Mariska Hargitay, Dick Wolf and NBC continue to make television magic and history with Law & Order: SVU season 25. It's not only one of the most-watched programs on the air, but it's also the longest-running drama series on primetime. 

In fact, you'd be hard-pressed to find any TV watchers who would argue that SVU isn't one of the greatest police dramas ever created (one of the best TV shows of all time too). While Wolf has developed some amazing shows like the original Law & Order, Law & Order: Criminal Intent, Chicago P.D. and New York Undercover, none of them has garnered as loyal a fanbase as SVU that has stood by the show through all the "shakeups." 

So what can we look forward to in Law & Order: SVU season 25? Here's what we know.  

The Law & Order: SVU season 25 finale

Law & Order: SVU is back with the final episode of season 25. 

The episode titled "Duty to Hope" airs on Thursday, May 16, at 9 pm ET/PT on NBC. Here is a brief synopsis of what's to come: 

"The SVU searches for a pattern assailant before his crimes escalate to murder. Fin must contend with a suspect's aggrieved son. Carisi is pressured to close the case quickly to ease public concern."

Check out this promo clip of the episode. 

Law & Order: SVU season 25 plot

Here's an official synopsis for the season: 

"Now in its 25th anniversary season on NBC, this hard-hitting and emotional series chronicles the lives of the Special Victims Unit of the New York City Police Department, an elite squad of detectives who investigate crimes of sexual assault, child abuse and domestic violence. 

"Commander of the SVU, Capt. Olivia Benson, portrayed by the Emmy and Golden Globe Award-winning Mariska Hargitay, is a seasoned veteran of the unit who has seen it all. She leads with empathy and professionalism, all the while dealing with her difficult past as a product of rape and her responsibility as a trailblazer in survivor advocacy, both of which influence the way she relates to the victims and perpetrators of each case. Olivia Benson is the longest-running female character in a primetime live-action television series.

"As Benson’s second-in-command, Sgt. Odafin 'Fin' Tutuola (Ice T) adds a unique sense of humor and undercover investigative experience, making him a formidable match for any partner, while Detective Joe Velasco (Octavio Pisano) learns the nuanced and sensitive techniques to working with sexual assault survivors. Assistant District Attorney Dominick “Sonny” Carisi (Peter Scanavino) brings a fresh outlook and distinctive style of investigation to his cases while navigating the politics of the DA’s office."

Oh and of course, like the seasons before, we'll be on #Stenson watch, tracking the slow-burning relationship between Olivia Benson and Elliot Stabler (Christopher Meloni). 

Law & Order: SVU season 25 cast

Front-running the show is the legendary Mariska Hargitay. Since the inception of SVU, she's been playing Olivia Benson, a role for which she's received an Emmy, a Golden Globe and Screen Actor Guild Awards. Additionally, while portraying the famous detective, she's made appearances in Chicago P.D., Law & Order and Law & Order: Organized Crime. 

Joining Hargitay as a tenured member of the team is Ice-T who plays Fin Tutuola. Prior to his stint on SVU, he was a hit rapper and a recognizable face from New Jack City and New York Undercover. 

Rounding out the cast are Peter Scanavino (Deception) as Dominik Carisi and Octavio Pisano (Coyote) as Joe Velasco. 

Law & Order: SVU season 25 trailer

Here is a trailer for the new Law & Order Thursdays which includes a sneak peek at the new season of SVU. 

How to watch Law & Order: SVU season 25

New episodes of Law & Order: SVU air live exclusively on NBC. For those that don't have traditional cable/satellite television, you still have the opportunity to watch the show live when it airs using live TV streaming services such as FuboTV, Hulu with Live TV, Sling TV and YouTube TV. All episodes of SVU become available to stream on Peacock the day after they air. 

We anticipate that season 25 episodes will eventually make their way to Sky TV in the UK.