Mariska Hargitay and Chris Meloni
She's married, he's married, they both seem happy. But the people want to believe, and so they would not mind if Stabler and Benson holding hands in public was a manifestation of their private yearning. These two are, I think, quite close friends, but I also think they're smart enough to know that their platonic bonds also put butts on couch cushions. (They look great. I love that he's a loud shirt guy. That really tracks for me.)
"America will be REALLY into me working on that knot in your back, so get low for a sec."
Anthony Anderson
Anthony was on seasons 18-20, and now he's back for 21 as the same character (Detective Bernard). Nice how black-ish slotted neatly in between. I think his contract is just for one season -- that may be the case for all of them, actually -- but it'll be nice continuity.
Jeffrey Donovan
Burn Notice up there is playing a detective too. That might work? He the weak link for me on that show, but his ... let's say stoic manner? ... may work better on a crime show, and he gets to play off of Anthony, which helps.
Hugh Dancy, Sam Waterston
Sam's contract is DEFINITELY just for a year, although all these things are negotiable later. He is the ultimate continuity and I'm glad he's back -- and I say that as someone who (get ready) has never watched a single episode of this show. I just know he's a comforting face who has been on it for a damn long time. Hugh is playing an ADA.
Odelya Halevi
She's on the new-old show as an ADA alongside Hugh, and this is SO lovely and good on her and then the beigeness of the shoes are such a sad ending. They're FINE, everything's FINE, we're all going to be FINE. But they could have been great.
Camryn Manheim
I gather she's stepping into S. Epatha Merkerson's shoes, because she is off on Chicago Med. I like Camryn Manheim -- she was just in the criminally underrated Stumptown, and she imbued a lot of personality into a role that could have been pretty plain.
Ainsley Seiger
Ainsley plays a character on Organized Crime called Jet Slootmaekers. That is a NAME. It may not surprise you that Jet is a hacker who works with the police now. They are hip to the kids today.
Danielle Mone Truitt
Danielle plays Stabler's partner. She looks great in this.
Kelli Giddish
I know she's been on SVU for years, but she will always be Fake Dixie on All My Children to me.
Mariska and Chris
"Isn't this a GAS? GANG'S ALL HERE!"