Ice-T Explains Reduced ‘Law & Order’ Presence

Actor Ice-T has been a core component of Law & Order: Special Victims Unit for more than two decades, though his role was reduced for Season 27, which the actor claims is due to budgetary restraints. As far as what that means for his future in the program, it might be too early to tell, as he failed to confirm if he’ll get more screen time in Season 28. Even if fans aren’t getting as much of Detective Odafin Tutuola as they hoped this season, the actor isn’t entirely distraught, as his schedule has been freed up to pursue other endeavors.

While speaking with TMZ, Ice-T confirmed that the focus this season was making sure Kelli Giddish could return for a more substantial role, explaining:

“It’s just basically business. They brought Kelli back. At the end of the day, they couldn’t keep both of us on both times, as far as budget-wise … They said, ‘Ice, we’ll have you come in and out this year.’ Everybody wanted Kelli back. We have new cops. I am not leaving the show. I am more concerned with going to Season 28. This year, they said, ‘Ice, we’re going to work you a little less.’ Everything was cool with me. I understood. I said, ‘Are you getting rid of me?’ They said, ‘No way. We can’t imagine Law and Order without you.’”

These remarks also confirm that, while Fin has only appeared in half of this season’s episodes, we likely shouldn’t expect him to appear in many more episodes.

Ice-T Isn’t Upset by Lack of ‘Law & Order’ Presence

Ice-T in Law & Order: SVU

NBC

Giddish joined the series in Season 13 and appeared through Season 24, though was then written off the show. While fans have been excited for her character to make a comeback, Ice-T pointed out that seeing fans who are disappointed by his character’s absence makes him feel good about taking some time off, as he detailed:

“Don’t worry about me. I am kind of glad the fans are upset. What if I was missing and nobody cared? … I will be sprinkled throughout this season.”

Emphasizing that he’s not dismayed by this decision, the actor made it a point to praise the program and how well they’ve treated him, and how any negative remarks he made could impact his tenure, expressing, “I’ve been on this show for 27 years. I am not going to say anything negative about this show. They have taken care of me for so long. I’m trying to get to Season 28.”

Law & Order debuted in 1990 and is currently in its 25th season, while the spin-off Law & Order: Special Victims Unit debuted in 1999. Spin-off Law & Order: Organized Crime is currently in its fifth season, while other spin-offs have been shorter-lived.

Law & Order: Special Victims Unit

Release Date: September 20, 1999
Network: NBC
Showrunner: Michael S. Chernuchin, David Graziano
Directors: Jean de Segonzac, David Platt, Peter Leto, Alex Chapple, Juan José Campanella, Norberto Barba, Constantine Makris, Martha Mitchell, Arthur W. Forney, Michael Slovis, Steve Shill, Alex Zakrzewski, Michael Pressman, Helen Shaver, Mariska Hargitay, Michael Smith, Ted Kotcheff, Fred Berner, Jonathan Kaplan, Holly Dale, Jonathan Herron, Jud Taylor, Adam Bernstein, Jim McKay