Ahead Of Law And Order: SVU’s Return, Here’s What Peter Scanavino Told Us About The Only Time He Watched Carisi’s Most Devastating Episode

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The break for Law & Order: SVU during winter is almost over in the 2025 TV lineup, and Season 26 of NBC’s popular drama will resume on January 16. However, things won’t go back to normal for Olivia Benson’s team right away, as Carisi must still handle the aftermath from his traumatic event in the fall finale, titled “Cornered.” Peter Scanavino recently discussed with TopMob the one instance he watched the episode that he believes has been the most distressing out of the over 200 he’s been credited for so far.

The initial phase of the winter finale for Carisi took a turn for the worse when he found himself entangled in a hostage crisis at a deli. As time passed, his situation only grew more dire. Regardless of his efforts to maintain peace and prevent any injuries or casualties, Carisi was left powerless, pinned down at gunpoint. Tragically, a man lost his life right before his eyes, and a young woman was attacked in an adjacent room. Miraculously, he managed to survive the harrowing experience, but his composure crumbled in the aftermath, as neither Rollins (Kelli Giddish’s second appearance of the season) nor Benson could be convinced that he was unscathed.

The performance by Peter Scanavino as Carisi was particularly outstanding, marking a notable milestone in his portrayal of the character after over a decade. You can now stream this episode with a Peacock subscription. During our conversation about upcoming events for his character on SVU, I enquired if he had watched the fall finale or if he prefers to steer clear of watching himself act, and he shared his thoughts:

After more than a decade of playing Carisi, Peter Scanavino delivered one of his most remarkable performances yet. This episode is now available for streaming with a Peacock subscription. In our discussion about what lies ahead for his character on SVU, starting with the winter premiere, I inquired if he had watched the fall finale or if he tends to avoid watching himself act. He shared his perspective:

Typically, I wouldn’t advise it. Instead, I find it challenging to evaluate myself extensively since you frequently offer feedback about my appearance and voice. It’s similar to when you hear your own voice and think, “Is that really how I sound?” Only magnified tenfold. Therefore, I try not to overanalyze and allow the work to speak for itself on screen.

I can certainly relate to not enjoying listening to my voice in recordings! Given that Scanavino, who has played multiple characters within the Law & Order series, has been a mainstay on SVU for over eleven seasons now, it’s evident he’s found a method that suits him. However, when it came to the fall finale, he opted for a different technique, expressing:

Indeed, I did catch that episode during its initial broadcast. It was my first time watching it, and I must say, it packed a powerful punch and was exceptionally well-executed. I felt a great sense of pride for everyone involved – the writers, the director, and the entire team. I believe it has proven to be a resounding success.

The episode titled “Cornered” was tough to endure yet captivating, largely due to Carisi and the hostages becoming progressively more vulnerable throughout the hour. This made it difficult to avert one’s gaze, thanks to the compelling performances. Despite SVU‘s reputation as a long-running and successful procedural, there was no certainty that Season 26 would carry on Carisi’s storyline in 2025. However, NBC’s description for the winter premiere, titled “First Light,” hints that it will explore ADA Carisi as he grapples with moving forward after his ordeal, as the suspect changes his plea.

Luckily, the winter premiere promo indicates that Kelli Giddish will return, meaning Carisi will have his spouse with him. Although he appears to be in good health in the preview clips, it remains unclear how forthcoming he will be about his challenges. Here’s a peek:

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In the winter premiere promo, Kelli Giddish is set to return, so Carisi will have his wife by his side. While he appears well in the sneak peeks, it remains a mystery how open he may (or may not) be about his difficulties. Take a look:

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The winter premiere teaser shows that Kelli Giddish is coming back, which means Carisi will have his wife at his side. He seems to be in good health based on the footage, but it’s uncertain how transparent he will be regarding his struggles. Here’s a glimpse:

Pick the one you prefer! 😊

Don’t miss NBC on Thursday, January 16 at 9 p.m. Eastern Time, for the winter premiere of Law & Order: SVU Season 26. This airs between the return of Law & Order at 8 p.m. ET and Found Season 2 coming back at 10 p.m. ET. As for Law & Order: Organized Crime Season 5, no premiere date has been set yet for this spinoff starring Christopher Meloni, but it’s expected to air as an original on Peacock in 2025.

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2025-01-10 05:37