Why There Are No New Law & Order & SVU This Week (March 27) & When Will New Episodes Release?

There is a reason the Law and Orderfranchise is not airing new episodes on March 27, 2025. Although the procedurals consist of self-contained cases, it's frustrating when they don't have new episodes available, especially when it seems like the best episodes of Law & Order will air after the hiatus ends. Law & Order aired its take on the Luigi Magione case. The episode explored the reasons this case is controversial but faded to black without telling the audience what the jury had decided.

Following that ambiguous ending, NBC aired a sad episode of Law & Order: SVU in which Benson visited her mother's grave before dealing with the case of a coma patient who had become pregnant when someone raped her while she was in the trauma unit. This story was the sequel to an earlier episode that detailed the abuse the victim had suffered that led to her becoming comatose. Additionally, Law & Order: SVU promised an intense story for Rollins and Carisi when it returns, making the hiatus even more frustrating.

Why There Are No New Law & Order & Law & Order: SVU Tonight (March 27, 2025)

NBC Is Again Airing Encore Performances Of Suits L.A.

NBC is taking advantage of a scheduled break for the Law and Order franchise to air encore performances of two episodes of Suits L.A. The Suits spinoff has not been doing well in the ratings during its usual timeslot, so the network is re-airing them in Law & Order and Law & Order: SVU's usual slot. This is the second time the network has done this, suggesting that it is testing whether this timeslot is a better fit for Suits L.A.

Law & Order SVU Benson sitting across from a victim

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That said, it should be noted that NBC didn't decide to pre-empt the Law and Order shows because of its need to try Suits L.A. in a different timeslot. It's likely that the network would have taken this break regardless of whether it had another show that needed help gaining an audience. Network TV often schedules hiatuses in late March or early April to ensure that there will be enough episodes of the shows left to last until mid-May, when shows typically wrap up their seasons.

NBC might have decided to wait until after the games are over to air the next exciting episodes of the franchise.

Additionally, CBS is airing March Madness basketball games tonight. This special sporting event is stiffer competition than the comedies that normally air in that timeslot — audiences that usually tune in to the Law and Order shows might be interested in the tournament. Thus, NBC might have decided to wait until after the games are over to air the next exciting episodes of the franchise.

When Will Law & Order Season 24, Episode 17 & Law & Order: SVU Season 26, Episode 17 Release?

This Will Be A Short Hiatus

Law & Order SVU Benson and Carisi interrogating someone who is off camera

Fortunately, this break will not last long. While Suits L.A. is airing in this timeslot on March 27, new episodes of Law & Order and Law & Order: SVU will air on April 4, 2025. Thus, there is only a delay of one week before the procedurals resume. In contrast, the One Chicago shows recently had a three-week hiatus, which was far more frustrating because it was so long.

All previous seasons of Law & Order: SVU are currently available on the streamer, while the first 20 seasons of Law & Order are streaming on Hulu.

That said, the one-week delay offers the opportunity to catch up on any episodes that may have been missed during the season. All the episodes of Law & Order season 24 and Law & Order: SVU season 26 that have already aired are available on Peacock. Additionally, all previous seasons of Law & Order: SVU are currently available on the streamer, while the first 20 seasons of Law & Order are streaming on Hulu. This makes it easy to watch or rewatch favorite episodes while waiting for new ones to air.

What To Expect From Law & Order Season 24, Episode 17 & Law & Order: SVU Season 26, Episode 17

New And Exciting Developments Are On Their Way

Law & Order Nolan with blue tie standing in front of his desk looking concerned

Law & Order season 24, episode 17, "A Perfect Family," promises to be one of the most intense episodes in the ripped-from-the-headlines procedural's long history. This story involves a student who is thrown to her death, a family secret, and a young child who witnessed the crime. These elements suggest that this case will feature the thorny legal and ethical issues that have made Law & Order a popular procedural for over two decades.

Law & Order Baxter standing by the courthouse wearing a scarf, coat, and tie

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The other entry in the Law & Orderfranchise is one of the most-anticipated episodes of Law & Order: SVU season 26. When the procedural returns, it will tackle the trial of one of the robbers who held Carisi hostage at his favorite deli in Law & Order: SVU season 26, episode 8. This emotional story will likely trigger Carisi's trauma responses, leaving Rollins and Benson to keep him calm and centered while the robber mounts his defense to the heinous crimes — however, it will be balanced with Benson's attempt to help a rape survivor with her recovery.

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